Meet the Moreau Family

‘‘Older boys are at great risk of ‘‘aging out’’ of foster care’’

Meet eleven-year-old Chase and his proud father Tim. The two came together last spring to form a permanent family. They continue getting to know each other and strengthening their attachment through shared interests and activities.

A typical weekend finds father and son hiking together, walking the beaches of Lake Michigan, and collaborating on small household building projects. An occasional special treat is going out for a dinner of seafood, which each had considered his favorite meal even before the two met.

Having long been aware of the need for adoptive homes for foster children, Tim responded to a national PSA adoption campaign. He then attended an Informational Meeting offered at Children’s Hospital Milwaukee, which opened the door to the process. Tim was especially interested to learn that older boys in foster care, pre-teens and teens in particular, are at great risk of “aging out” without ever having found a permanent home. With the encouragement of foster and adoptive families in his church, Tim undertook the adoption application process.

This new dad expresses great pride in his intelligent, personable son. With a well-honed sense of humor, Chase is quite the entertainer and loves making people laugh. Like many middle-schoolers, Chase likes to watch YouTube, play video games, and explore nature. Tim appreciates how honest and articulate Chase has been when talking about his feelings. Another attribute dad notes is Chase’s kind, caring heart – not only for people, but for all living creatures. Chase has devoted significant time to learning how to care for the wild garter snake he caught last summer.

After many years of uncertainty, Chase is relieved to finally have found a father, and a home where he can grow up unburdened by worries about being uprooted. During the four years before he moved in with Tim, Chase lived in over a half dozen foster homes. Now, with a consistent, nurturing home life and an IEP at school, Chase has been making steady progress in addressing the emotional challenges caused by early childhood loses and traumas.

Asked about the obstacles he faced in adoption, Tim replies, “None. The entire process went much more smoothly than anticipated.” Tim appreciates the post adoption services and supports available through state and federal government. He plans to use the Federal Adoption Tax Credit to provide enriching experiences, as well as a small education fund, for Chase.

To encourage more people to adopt from foster-care, Tim suggests that policy-makers consider more support to applicants during the licensing process, more “approachable and free-market” type of training, and friendlier, easier-to-use web interfaces such as government portals.

With most of his extended family residing out-of- state, Tim relies on his faith and his church community to support him as he undertakes the new role of fatherhood.

The Moreau Family, Wisconsin

Older boys are at great risk of “aging out” of foster care

Meet eleven-year-old Chase and his proud father Tim. The two came together last spring to form a permanent family. They continue getting to know each other and strengthening their attachment through shared interests and activities.

A typical weekend finds father and son hiking together, walking the beaches of Lake Michigan, and collaborating on small household building projects. An occasional special treat is going out for a dinner of seafood, which each had considered his favorite meal even before the two met.

Having long been aware of the need for adoptive homes for foster children, Tim responded to a national PSA adoption campaign. He then attended an Informational Meeting offered at Children’s Hospital Milwaukee, which opened the door to the process. Tim was especially interested to learn that older boys in foster care, pre-teens and teens in particular, are at great risk of “aging out” without ever having found a permanent home. With the encouragement of foster and adoptive families in his church, Tim undertook the adoption application process.

This new dad expresses great pride in his intelligent, personable son. With a well-honed sense of humor, Chase is quite the entertainer and loves making people laugh. Like many middle-schoolers, Chase likes to watch YouTube, play video games, and explore nature. Tim appreciates how honest and articulate Chase has been when talking about his feelings. Another attribute dad notes is Chase’s kind, caring heart – not only for people, but for all living creatures. Chase has devoted significant time to learning how to care for the wild garter snake he caught last summer.

After many years of uncertainty, Chase is relieved to finally have found a father, and a home where he can grow up unburdened by worries about being uprooted. During the four years before he moved in with Tim, Chase lived in over a half dozen foster homes. Now, with a consistent, nurturing home life and an IEP at school, Chase has been making steady progress in addressing the emotional challenges caused by early childhood loses and traumas.

Asked about the obstacles he faced in adoption, Tim replies, “None. The entire process went much more smoothly than anticipated.” Tim appreciates the post adoption services and supports available through state and federal government. He plans to use the Federal Adoption Tax Credit to provide enriching experiences, as well as a small education fund, for Chase.

To encourage more people to adopt from foster-care, Tim suggests that policy-makers consider more support to applicants during the licensing process, more “approachable and free-market” type of training, and friendlier, easier-to-use web interfaces such as government portals.

With most of his extended family residing out-of- state, Tim relies on his faith and his church community to support him as he undertakes the new role of fatherhood.