Editor's Note: Window on the Clearwater has joined the Wednesday's Child network to help spread the word about children that are waiting for families to give them the loving care that they need. Each Wednesday we will profile a different child. For more information about Wednesday's Child and how you can be involved check the web site at: http://www.idahowednesdayschild.org/.

Shawn & Michelle

Age: 10-13

Shawn and Michelle are precious siblings who need a family to keep them together and provide the nurturing, love, and safety that they need to thrive. They have been together since their placement in foster care and need to stay together. They find safety and comfort in each other's company, though they sometimes don't appear to have a strong connection to each other. Together they enjoy playing board games and playing the Wii, but coloring and art projects are both of their favorite activities.

Shawn is a sweet boy with a bright smile and tender heart. He enjoys games and is good at strategy. He loves to color and draw and uses these activities to calm himself when he is anxious. He is in the 7th grade, but his cognitive delays have him working well at a 3rd-4th grade level. Shawn has made significant progress in his foster home, where he and Michelle have been for over two years. He has been working on hygiene, manners, and social skills. He likes to play his DS, play the Wii, and can get very focused on his video games. He also loves to read, and his favorite books are Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Harry Potter. When Shawn wants to read a book that is too difficult for him, he likes to listen to it on tape/CD. Shawn loves heroes and says he would love to be in the Army when he grows up.

Michelle is a bright young girl who needs security and stability to realize her full potential. She has a difficult time expressing herself and will often remain silent instead of trying to communicate. Her foster mother said that she responds best when clear expectations and consistent rules and boundaries are in place. She does well when she has rewards she can earn.

Michelle entered foster care at a below kindergarten reading level and could barely read a few words. Now she is up to a 1st or 2nd grade reading level! She is cooperating well in school and doing better in her participation. Michelle loves animals, and wants to be a Veterinarian when she grows up. She loves the color purple, and all things girly; like getting her nails done, fixing her hair pretty, and dressing up.

Michell's primary interest and focus is in art. She enjoys being able to create beautiful things through coloring, painting, or whatever mediums are available, and uses art to express herself.

While Shawn and Michelle have made great progress in foster care, they will need ongoing support to fully transition and attach in a new family. They both struggle with developmental and learning delays and need a skilled family who can advocate for their needs and who can devote a lot of time and energy to them. The adoption team is looking for a two-parent family, or a very skilled single parent, where they can be the either the only children, or the much youngest. They will need support in the form of school resources, counseling, Psycho-Social Rehabilitation (PSR) services and developmental therapy.

An ideal family for these children would be loving, nurturing, skilled, patient, flexible, and consistent. If you think you could provide these sweet children with the stable, loving family they deserve, call the Careline today to learn more.

Portrait by Expressions by Aimee Photography

To find out more about adoption or becoming a foster parent, email the Idaho CareLine or call 1-800-926-2588. You may be asked to provide this reference number: 30490.

Wednesday's Child Archives...