Today was a day to celebrate triumph.

Family and child clients of the intensive in-home services program at Triumph, LLC celebrated their victories over behavioral and emotional problems at a back to school party held at the service off Smith Church Road in Roanoke Rapids.

The program serves 32 children from ages 5 to 18, said Stacie Medlin, program director. “It’s a day for the kids, their parents and siblings.”

The program itself tackles the issues not only one-on-one with the clients, but the family as well, Medlin said. “It helps them deal with family dynamics. We’re not just treating the kids. We’re treating the families. We go into the schools and homes.”

Rhonda Harrell, a court counselor, cooks burgers for the event.

The staff not only gives solutions, but also helps the clients come up with their own solutions. “It teaches the family and the kids to solve problems together.”

Holly Scaggs, Triumph’s in-house team leader said the program looks at social issues, dealing with broad issues such as anger management to substance abuse. “Some have psychotic issues.”

Some of the victories are measured in small gains, Scaggs said. “One of the kids when she first started would hardly smile and felt sad and worried. Now she smiles and is able to accept that things that worry her don’t have to limit you. We take small successes.”

Mildred Flagg has firsthand experience with the program. Her son went through it. “It’s helped him with being responsible and associating with other kids. It’s brought him out of his shell and helped him with anger management.”

Children wait to enter the bounce castle.

Flagg said her son came into the program withdrawn. “He tried to cope on his own. It got to the point he was running away and getting into trouble he couldn’t get out of.”

Now he is working on his general equivalency diploma. “He’s passed all the tests but one. He can cope and is willing to talk about his feelings.”

Patrice Macklin was glad Triumph held the back to school celebration. “I’m very appreciative. I love what they’re doing today,” the mother of a child who went through the program, said. “It means they’re showing love. To the people it’s just not about a job, it’s about caring.”

Playing a game with Hula Hoops.

The trials she went through with her daughter helped her, too, Macklin said. “I didn’t have patience. It helped both of us. I’m more patient, more understanding. There’s more peace. She has learned to cope with her behavior problems.”