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Makayla, Natalie, Joseph and Matthew are a wonderful sibling group that will bring great joy to any family. These four kids are well-adjusted and happy children. They have all been through a lot in their lives thus far. They have made some great strides individually in many ways.
Makayla is nine years old and is a very smart girl. She is outgoing in most settings. She does come across as shy when she is around people that she does not know well. She tends to open up and become more comfortable quickly. Makayla is described as a tomboy. She does not like to wear dresses or what she calls 'girly' clothes. Makayla likes to be active and play sports. She is very into tae-kwondo. This is something that she has become very passionate about in the last year. She loves to talk about tae-kwondo and loves to show people her various belts. Makayla loves to cook, read, play video games and swim. Makayla does well in school.
Makayla has been through a lot of changes in the last three years especially. She has been through several placements; including times when she has been returned home to her mother. She has had trust issues as it seems like each time that she gets close to someone they are in some way taken out of her life. This has been an unfortunate route of events for Makayla. She has developed some anger over the losses that she has experienced in this way. Recently her therapist that she has been seeing for over two years has taken a new position and she was removed from her grandmother after a year of placement with her. These are two things that Makayla is currently dealing with and will need to continue to address through counseling. Makayla is they type of child who has put up walls around herself emotionally. She does not express how she really feels very often.
Being the oldest child in this sibling group Makayla has become much of the 'mother hen' to the younger children. She is protective of her younger siblings and has had to take care of them at times when previously in her mothers care. Her previous foster placements have helped her learn how to be a kid and not feel that she has to be responsible for the younger children she is around. Makayla is very bonded to all three of her siblings.
Natalie is a smiley 7 year old. She is outgoing and smart. She does very well in school and always wants to learn. She likes to read and swim. She is playful and funny. She likes to laugh and make others laugh. She is lovable and has an outgoing personality. Natalie loves her sibling and has a strong bond with each of them. She expresses herself bluntly in most situations. Natalie is also social and quick to interact with others. She likes to be the center of attention.
One thing that Natalie is working on right now is how to verbalize when she is upset. She tends to get upset or hurt about things and cries or screams depending on what the situation is. She is a sensitive child. It works to talk with her about what is going on and help her talk in a calm way.
Joey is a cute 4-year-old boy. He is sweet and shy in his demeanor. Joey has a calm and easygoing disposition. He is not very outgoing but will talk once he gets warmed up and comfortable around people. Joey likes to watch his older sisters and try to do the things that they are doing. Joey is reserved in his personality. Joey is a happy child and a joy to have around. He is very bonded to his siblings. He is a playful boy. He likes to run, play outside and try to play video games.
Joey was born drug affected. His mother used methamphetamine when she was pregnant with him. He has shown some developmental delays that could be related to the mothers drug use. Joey qualified for Early Intervention Service but has completed his work with them over the last year. He was working with this service for his communication delays especially. He started talking late. When Joey was a young baby his mother did not work much with him on his development. She states that she babied him a lot and did not help him work on his verbal skills. He has since come a long way. Joey now seems to be on target developmentally for a child his age. He is no longer working with specialized services and is ready to start preschool in the fall.
Matthew is an adorable 19-month-old boy. He likes toys that light up and things that he can sit on a ride. Matthew likes to take things out of boxes then pick things back up. He has started to talk more and his vocabulary is growing daily. He understands most everything and is starting to be more verbal about things he wants and doesn't want. He has a great smile that lights up a room. He likes to watch his older siblings and try to do the things that they are doing. He shows a special bond to his sister Makayla but also is bonded to his other three siblings. Matthew is a little more temperamental than the other children. He is verbal and will throw fits if he is upset. These are age appropriate type fits. Matthew is currently on target developmentally and not showing any need for specialized services.
Matthew has had the most consistency in placement in comparison to his siblings. He lived with his mother for the first 5 months then lived with his grandmother from 5 months until 18 months old.
These children need to know that they are going to be in a place to stay. They need a family that is committed to them and where they can build stability long term. They need a family that will walk with them through the emotional issues that may lie ahead (especially for the older two girls).
They need a family that can be open about where they come from but will help them settle into a new forever family. This may be something that takes a little longer for these children. As mentioned above, they are well adjusted and have come a long way in their behavioral issues since first being removed from their mother. As they have stabilized in long placements they have been able to build healthy and strong relationships.
Makayla, Natalie, Joey and Matthew are four wonderful children. They are well-behaved children and will bring joy to any adoptive family. These children have been through many ups and downs in their placements. They have become resilient and well adjusted to change. They have been back and forth with being told they will be living back with their mother, living with their grandmother and being adopted. They all have a strong bond with one another. It will be important that the adoptive family be committed to all four children as a sibling group. These sibling relationships are the main stability they have had over a long couple years of placements.
These children also have a bond with their biological mother. It will be important that the adoptive family be open to ongoing contact with the children and their mother. Her rights have been terminated and the children are free for adoption. Their mother was previously actively involved in a mediated agreement with the children's grandmother. She does understand that the children are going to be adopted. She is willing to work with the adoptive family for whatever is best for the children.
NOTE: A child on this bulletin is indicated as Legal Risk and cannot be placed outside Oregon without court approval.
For More Information Contact:
Brandyn Miller (24QI)
SCF Marion Branch
(503) 378-5184
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