Mat is a charming boy with a great sense of humor. Usually cooperative, Mat is pleasant and playful. He dresses casually and usually is neatly groomed. He enjoys wearing his camouflage pants and orange hooded sweat shirt, typically with sneakers.

This 8-year-old enjoys playing with cars, trucks and plastic farm animal toys in school. During recess he likes to climb on the jungle gym and use the swing. He loves nature, and one of his favorite things to do is look for insects. Mat loves dogs and horses and would like to have his own puppy.

Mat likes to play board games and watch television, particularly the Pokemon and Clifford shows. He has a great imagination and loves drawing and coloring creatively. He likes to explore and work with craft materials.

Mat loves to write and is dictating to make books. He uses the keyboard and Alpha Smart program. If his teachers make learning a game, Mat is easily engaged. He likes art, science and studying animals. He is receiving help with his speech and language skills. Mat does well in a small, structured classroom and is in a modified educational program.

Mat needs a predictable routine to do his best and benefits from a consistent, structured environment. He looks forward to his house meetings, where he likes to take a leadership role in making decisions.

Mat cares about his peers and has a few good friends. He responds to and asks for affection from his caregivers and readily gives hugs. He looks for and accepts guidance and support from adults. He has begun to have a sense of belonging, trust and safety.

Subsidy is available for the most appropriate family.

Mat is one of 207 Maine children in the care of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services who are seeking an adoptive family. For more information about Mat or other children available for adoption, contact A Family for ME at (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.