c7352

Child's name: Shirell
Number: C7352
Birthdate: 6/98
State: Oregon
Listed: April 2009

If you have completed an adoption homestudy and would like to have your information forwarded to this child's worker, contact us.

SHIRELL (6/98) is a very engaging girl who is very conversational. She is a cutie, too, with bright brown eyes and little freckles on her face. While Shirell may seem a bit older that her 11 years, her interests are all age appropriate. She loves playing in water and would love to learn how to swim. A big fan of Hannah Montana, her favorite pastimes include drawing, painting, reading, and playing outdoors.

Currently in fourth grade, Shirell has excellent reading skills that test out at a fifth to sixth grade level. She is doing well in several subjects, and has extra supports to help her with math, telling time, and writing. The plan is to mainstream Shirell before the end of the school year.

As Shirell continues to work on talking about her feelings instead of acting them out, her personal relationships are improving. Her behavior in the community, social settings, and school is right on track. Her foster parents are also helping Shirell to develop problem solving skills, which should go a long way in helping Shirell build friendships with other kids. While Shirell communicates very well, at times, at times she will talk too fast to try to try get her point across. Those moments may indicate that she getting overly excited and may need some quiet time to regroup.

Being willing to participate with Shirell in family counseling during her transition into her new home would be a wonderful way for her new folks to show their love and commitment to her. It could also underscore for Shirell that they value using such therapeutic supports to help family members make behavioral changes and resolve difficulties.

Shirell, who came into foster care initially in 2000, has been back and forth between her birth family and foster care for many years. She has been in her current and seventh placement since November of 2008. Although she has only been with this foster family for several months, she has made significant behavioral gains. At birth, Shirell had surgery for a tethered spine. She has had yearly check ups but so far it does not appear that additional surgery will be needed.

Shirell has six siblings, three of whom are adults. She also has three younger brothers. The youngest was born in October 2008. He is currently in foster care. If adoption is determined to be the long-term plan for him, the folks who adopt Shirell will be given the opportunity to adopt him as well. Shirell’s seven years old brother resides with his biological father out of state. Her 12-year old brother is currently being adopted separately from Shirell. It would be important for Shirell to be able to have some type of contact with her brothers if at all possible.

Shirell could do well with a single mom or with two parents. She should be an only child, especially if she has a single parent. With a couple she could be an only child or the youngest of one or two older siblings (older by at least a few years) who could model healthy social and family behavior. Shirell needs parent(s) who can give her a lot of time and attention.

Subsidy and Purchase of Service may be available.

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