A Family
for Always
Because people care about outcomes
for children they read about on these pages, we will periodically share
transition or finalization news whenever it is available. Approximately
seventy-five percent of Wednesday's Child participants are welcomed into
a committed family--and that's good news. Please remember the other 25
percent who continue to wait in foster care or group homes. Many of them
need experienced parents who love teenagers and understand their challenges.
If
you have been checking in with our site concerning an individual or sibling
group and suddenly notice the profile is missing, that can mean one of
several things:
- The adoption social worker
has asked us to remove the listing as a committee begins the family
selection process and then a careful transition into a pre-adoptive
family.
- The agency is placing the
child with a foster parent who wants to adopt.
- The youth's listing has
been placed on "hold" for a period of time or indefinitely
pending needed services. The listing may reappear at a later date.
SNAPS staff and the call line staff
are not involved in the selection process. If you or the adoption agency
that prepared your home study have submitted it for consideration but
have not heard from the child's adoption social worker, please call the
state agency that received the home study.
Below are some of the lives
that are being changed for the better by permanent, loving families:
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The McDaniels are not your typical family. Most people would consider a family with 21 adopted children extraordinary. But being different from other families isn't something that's ever bothered parents Tim and Shelly. In fact, they see themselves as a very normal family--just bigger. When Shelly is asked obvious questions by curious people, such as "How do you feed all those kids?" she promptly replies, "Just the same as anyone else. We just cook 50 hamburgers instead of four and use bigger bowls for the other dishes." (Read more...) View their KTVB story |
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Harvey, Alyssa, Zachary and Jasmine love to sing. During their Wednesday's Child segment, these lyrics, sung by the children, went straight to the heart of their future adoptive mom, Tracy, as she listened to an audio clip on their profile page at Wednesday’s Child:
"Mother, I love you, mother I do. Father in Heaven has sent me to you.
When I am near you, I long to hear you singing so softly that you love me, too.
Mother, I love you, I love you I do."
As is sometimes the case when children must move from a previous foster home, these four children needed a temporary family home as they waited for an adoptive match. Thanks to their social worker in facilitating a move into Scott and Tracy's newly-licensed foster home, a link was forged that would have lasting implications in all of their lives.
Fast-forward two years later as they celebrate the end of school and their springtime adoption finalization. These special children and their parents, Scott and Tracy, along with both sets of grandparents, an aunt and two grandkids piled onto an old-fashioned passenger train run by the Thunder Mountain Line. It chugged its way up the mountain, paralleling an engorged Payette River, all the way to Banks, Idaho. In an interview on the train with Dee Sarton, the whole family shared their enthusiasm for the children and adoption. The segment is posted below. View their success story. |
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Dezerea and Damien just completed transitional visits with their adoptive family in their new beginnings in western Oregon. The family selected has no other children, so they will be able to have the undivided attention they so well deserve. The family has an extensive family support system with a lot of other same-age cousins.
Dezerea and Damien will continue enjoying the country lifestyle they became accustomed to while in their most recent foster care placement, i.e. horses, dogs, and tons of outdoor activities, including continued involvement with 4-H projects. The foster family was very instrumental in the transition process and supported the childrens 'permission' to attach to their new family; especially since there were so many similarities with their family.
Recently, while on a family outdoor outing, Dezerea wrote the following in a near-by snow bank with a small tree branch... "I love my new family." View the update segment for Dezerea and Damien. |
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We are seeing a trend in the United States of older children being adopted a lot quicker than before. Xavier will soon be part of that welcome change. His adoption team will begin a careful transition into his new adoptive home in October. His family was carefully selected by an adoption committee with lots of input from Xavier. We wish him success and all the good things he hopes for in his life.
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Tamesha waited a long time for the right family to come along. An adoption selection committee carefully matched her needs with three potential families who sincerely wanted to make her life better. One family was selected, and she began getting to know them in late September. We hope the coming holiday season will be filled with all things warm and wonderful for this special young woman.
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It doesn't take long to fall in love with five-year-old Andrew. His adoption worker received an avalanche of home studies! One promising family was selected as his pre-adopt family in late summer. We hope they can match his energy with lots of fun!
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"My name is Lrae and I like to play! I like to be outside, play basketball and soccer.
I would like to have a dog. I want a family that does stuff together like watching movies and going out to eat. I want a mom or dad that's super nice and really funny."
Seven-year-old Lrae's high energy and enthusiasm for sports will soon capture the hearts of one family in the South. They possess acceptance and an ability to work with hyperactivity which is so critical to Lrae's future. As they give him patient prompts and recognition of the good choices he is making, Lrae is sure to find confidence on the sports field and off! view his original segment | view his update segment |
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Talyah's student pride was evident when we talked to her last summer:
"I am going to be in 1st grade next year. I like to swim, and I really like to color and draw."
Tallyah loves to be helpful. She takes her big sister role seriously as she tries to guide three-year-old Chey into complying with adult directions. When Chey resists, Talyah shows a persistent side, a strength that when properly applied to her own needs and development, will help her find many successes.
Chey is a beautiful, active three-year-old with an "I do it!" attitude. She loves to imitate what others do. Whether you're having a pretend tea party with her dolls or reading a book with lots of interactive questions, she relishes the attention.
The girls' adoption team has found one family with the strong skills and experience needed for the developmental work ahead. Best of all, Chey and Talyah's ongoing sister relationship will be nurtured within the walls of one loving family. view Talyah's original segment | view Chey's original segment | view their update segment |
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Chris came to the Wednesday's Child program in April of 2005 after two disappointing attempts to live with relatives. As with many children who miss nurturing basics during early development, Chris struggled with trust, bonding, social skills and attention challenges.
Within two months of Chris' appearance in the Wednesday's Child segment, a selection committee received all the home studies needed to match this super-talented boy with equally talented parents.
After his adoption in early Spring of 2006, Chris officially became "Kris," a name he chose for himself. Within his permanent family, he has flourished. He has all the ingredients needed for adoption success. Don't take our word for it. Read what his dad has to say about his amazing progress! (more...) view his original segment |
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Eric was very specific about what he wanted in a family, but he also left a lot of wiggle room for "any kind of family."
"I want a mom that likes to play, reads with me and cooks. I might like to be the oldest or just be in a family with lots of kids, like two brothers and five sisters. Really, any kind of family would be okay."
Anyone who spends a little time with Eric discovers how truly special he is. He's a bright, inquisitive child who is friendly with just about everyone. Eric's ability to recall details is just one of the things that amaze adults. His curiosity and ability to delve deeper into any subject help him find useful information and to learn quickly.
Eric's adoption worker tells us he's been placed in an adoptive family which includes a mom, dad and one brother. He was very excited to have a sibling close to his age. When his social worker showed him the photos of the new family, he said, 'I'm going to have the best life ever!' and gave her a big hug.
We wish Eric all the joys of the holiday season as he discovers the joy of being "home for Christmas" and every other important family time. view his update segment |
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