The turning point in Connie Neer's life, after a history of beatings, bouts of drinking and hitting bottom, came when she decided to fight to keep custody of her 2-year-old daughter, Nicole.

The state had already taken two older girls from Neer, 25, an admitted drug and alcohol abuser, before Nicole was born. A minor car accident last fall revealed she had violated her promise to the courts to remain sober.

Instead, as part of a local program based on successes that are transforming the nature of social work across the nation, Neer agreed to meet with a family therapist in her home several days a week for a month.