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Ciara and Lamar - Older Foster Child Adoption Story - Part 4
Continued from What Foster Adoption Can Do for an Older Child
The day finally came when Pam signed the placement agreement and Ciara and Lamar moved into their new home. My role then became “checking in on them” once per month until their adoption was finalized. My first placement visit left me shocked. We sat at the table and to my surprise, Ciara and Lamar were quite vocal, offered unsolicited information about their school, social activities, and interests, and presented as quite bright and energetic. Were these the same kids I had been working with all along? The real kicker on this day was when I saw Lamar walk through the living room and freely begin dancing in the middle of the room, demonstrating his newly found energy and comfort.
My second visit further comfirmed that these kids were not only happy, but thriving. Pam showed me Lamar’s report card which revealed all passing grades. This was a remarkable improvement in a very short period of time. Ciara proudly shared with me that she too had improved her grades, was no involved in school activities, had won an award for class participation, and was now a peer-monitor at school. Ciara and Lamar were no longer the withdrawn teenagers who where struggling academically and socially. Ciara and Lamar, Pam, and Pam’s biological children were quite happy. Undoubtedly, they were a family.
I was not able to attend the finalization hearing. However, I was told that Pam was unbelievably excited and cheered out loud when the judge granted the adoption. The pictures of this day and this family, speak volumes. Finally, Ciara and Lamar are home.
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