Sierra, 11, loves the outdoors

Sierra is an active, creative child who loves outdoor activities and dabbling in arts and crafts projects. She is seeking an adoptive family that will support her bright, inquisitive personality.

Sierra, 11, enjoys swimming, sledding, kicking a soccer ball and playing at the playground. She is engaging and friendly when interacting with others, especially adults. Sierra enjoys individual attention and likes to please others by helping. She has a great sense of humor and can be thoughtful and sensitive.

Sierra came into the care of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in 1998 with an older sister and two younger sisters. She has been diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder and has participated in attachment therapy. It is important that Sierra continue attachment work with her adoptive family after her adoption.

As she can feel overwhelmed and anxious when her routine changes, Sierra requires consistency at home and at school and does best in an environment in which she feels comfortable and safe. Positive feedback and reward programs help to keep Sierra grounded and focused.

Sierra is cognitively and developmentally young for her age and sometimes struggles with peer interactions. She is learning appropriate social skills, including how to take turns when playing with peers.

The ideal family for Sierra would be a one- or two-parent family with some experience in parenting a child with special needs. Sierra would be most successful in a family in which she is the only or youngest child.

Prospective adoptive parents for Sierra need to be patient, structured and willing to participate in therapy with a professional who has experience with adoption and attachment issues. The family also should be willing to maintain contact with Sierra’s biological sister.

Sierra is one of 207 Maine children in Maine DHHS care who is seeking an adoptive family. For more information about Sierra or other children available for adoption, contact A Family for ME at 1-877-505-0545 or visit www.afamilyforme.org.

Based in Gardiner, A Family for ME is a nonprofit program that works in collaboration with Maine DHHS to find foster and adoptive families for Maine children in care.