Meet the Arntson Family!
“You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. Thousands of teens in foster care would be glad to put up with you.” These and similar slogans from the AdoptUSKids public awareness campaigns, coupled with local TV weekly PSAs that featured older children awaiting adoption, touched Amy and Scott Arntsons’ hearts. As they explored further, they were saddened to learn that many foster teens are never adopted and instead “age out” of foster care with no place to call home; no parents to guide them into young adulthood and beyond.
After several conversations with their daughter Ashleigh and son Devan, all four Arntsons decided together that the family would adopt a teen. All agreed, “Every child deserves a family who is there for them, at every step of life.” And that is how Isaiah, after living his entire adolescence in foster care, finally found a permanent adoptive family at the advanced age of 17.
Isaiah’s laughter fills our house just like his tall stature does.
Amy and Scott glow with unreserved affection and pride when they describe their “youngest but tallest” (6’1) family member. Amy writes, “Isaiah’s laughter fills our house just like his tall stature does. He is an incredible athlete who participated in the MN State Track & Field competition this past spring. It's been a pure joy to watch him compete as he glides through the air.” In addition to athletic skills, Isaiah is a likeable young man who is noted for his ability to eloquently converse with just about anyone. Asked if Isaiah has any special challenges, mom can think of only two – he needed extra help obtaining his driver’s permit/license and learning how to cook.
Isaiah appreciates not only his two new, adoring parents, but also the added bonuses of an accomplished older sister and a scholarly, athletic older brother. Driven by her passion for helping others, Ashleigh, age 19, has created a non-profit “prom dress drive.” (Mom observes, “At any given time we have 75+ prom dresses in our house.”) Devan, age 18, is a 3-season athlete and Eagle Scout. His love of science and space has inspired his focus on physics and astronomy at University of Minnesota.
The Arntsons had very good experiences working with the North Homes agency. Asked about the challenges of adoption, they write, “Adding a family member is never a smooth process. Learning the little idiosyncrasies of each member takes time. Learning the love language of new member takes navigational skills.”
Because the Arntsons have just recently completed Isaiah’s adoption, they have not yet applied to use the Federal Adoption Tax Credit. When they do, they hope it will help them to offset some of the initial costs of incorporating a new family member.
Asked what suggestion they might offer to policymakers to improve the adoption process, Amy calls for streamlining the process. “There needn’t be months of duplicate paperwork for kids who are waiting to be adopted.” Recalling that Isaiah came to their home in the middle of winter without appropriately warm clothing, Amy also suggests special funds be made available for older teens who need to upgrade their wardrobes.
