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/.

Angela

Age: 11

"Hi! My name is Angela. I'm in the 5th grade, but I don't really like school. The best thing about school is going bike riding. What I do like is playing dress up, especially dressing up in Halloween costumes. My favorite color is pink, so I like to dress up in pink dresses. I also like unicorns, baby dolls, fishing, shopping, dancing, singing, and most of all, I like playing with my sister, Hope. Hope is my special family member. We are 'sister sisters'. I haven't told her yet, but she is funny and makes me laugh.

When I think about being adopted, I think it means having a nice family. It also means having a good home with a mom and a dad, or maybe a just a mom. I want to have brothers and sisters, too, but I want to be the youngest. I think a nice mom would take me to get new clothes and play games with me."

Angela is a very likable young lady. She is happy most of the time and smiles a lot. She gets excited easily, which can present challenges of over-stimulation. She is sociable and will talk about her thoughts and feelings openly and honestly, even when it comes to difficult behaviors.

Angela does best with routine, structure, and settings that help her remain calm. With constant supervision, frequent cues, redirection, and boundary guidance, Angela is able to avoid melt-downs that lead to impulsive, angry behavior with adults or peers.

The adoption team is looking for a two-parent family or single mom with parenting experience. Angela needs and deserves a life-long commitment. Challenged with cognitive delays,it is not known what Angela's abilities could be, given the right environment. She is in a resource classroom with a full-time aid, and only attends school three hours a day at this time. She has an IEP, and also receives PSR and developmental therapy services. Angela will need a family that can continue these support services, as well as medication management and counseling. She is very attached to her sister, Hope, and her adoption worker would like to see Angela placed in a family that is able and willing to allow the girls to have contact. The girls have other siblings as well and future contact with them may also be a possibility.

Angela has suffered severe trauma in her young life, which may be a contributing factor to her current delays and behaviors. She will need a family that is committed to helping this deserving young girl get all the resources, love, care, and help she needs to reach her full potential, whatever that may be. If you think you could be that special family for Angela, her adoption team would like to hear from you!

Portraits by Matt Green from Barb Bergeson Studio Gallery

To find out more about Angela, adoption or becoming a foster parent, email the Idaho CareLine or call 1-800-926-2588. In Idaho you can dial 2-1-1. You may be asked to provide this reference number: 30379.

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