AUGUST CHILD

Brianna, age 8 1/2

Every child deserves a place to call home and the outpouring of love that is the foundation of a healthy parent-child relationship. However, there are nearly 10,000 Massachusetts children and teens in foster or other substitute care who have suffered abuse, neglect, abandonment, and betrayal at a time in their lives when they needed to be cared for most.

So many of these valiant survivors, entrusted to the care of the state, wait endlessly for that special person or family to come forward. For far too many, the day never comes.

While becoming a foster or adoptive parent certainly comes with challenges, the rewards of parenting such a child are tremendous.

Bay State Parent hopes you will give pause to the following profile and consider how you can help.

This pretty face with freckles and long, beautiful eyelashes belongs to Brianna, who is 8 1/2. "Bri" is a loveable, friendly, spunky, "sweetheart of a girl," from a Caucasian/ Latina background.

She has a big heart, and is more than willing to help with what needs to be done - plant flowers, clean up the yard, or put things away.

Bri will be going into the third grade in the Fall, and loves school. Her favorite subject is art. To enhance her skills, she took a 6- week course at the Art Museum last year and loved it. She participates in therapy on a regular basis, and also has an individualized education plan.

Brianna likes to read, do arts and crafts, and go swimming. She also likes getting dressed up, shopping, and being outside riding her scooter and bike as well as going for walks.

She is in good health, sleeps well, and has a good appetite. She eats everything, especially Italian food. She likes to eat out at Friendly's and McDonald's. Bri enjoys watching Channel 290 on television, as well as programs on PBS.

Bri has been in the care and custody of the Massachusetts' Department of Social Services for two years due to neglect, and is now legally free to be adopted. The birth parents' rights were terminated. However, there is an open adoption agreement for two visits a year. She has three siblings that she would like to maintain a relationship with.

Brianna would probably do best in a twoparent family, being the only or youngest child, where she would receive a lot of oneon one attention. This family also would need to be 100% committed unconditionally to providing a highly-structured home with predictable daily routines as well as close supervision.

If you would like more information about Brianna, or would like to obtain general information about adoption and/or foster care, please call Barbara Ford at the Department of Social Services at 508-929-2143.