A lover of board and video games, Francisco, 10, is particularly fond of the card game UNO, at which he is an excellent player.

While indoor activities and interests dominate much of his time, Francisco also enjoys swimming and has become quite a good swimmer.

Those who know Francisco best describe him as “funny, charming and friendly.” He is polite to others and is eager to please those around him.

Francisco has a wonderful ability to communicate his needs and also is willing to try new or difficult tasks without frustration. Francisco came into the care of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in 2001 along with two older sisters. One of these sisters was adopted in 2004, and Francisco continues to maintain contact with her and enjoys and looks forward to their visits.

A child who interacts well with adults and some older children, Francisco sometimes struggles in interactions with peers of the same age. He has been working on his social skills through a group in which he participates at school, however, and has made some progress in that area.

Francisco experiences a lot of anxiety involving change and requires guidance and assistance in complex or new situations. He struggles to maintain focus and to be able to concentrate on certain tasks, which sometimes can make school challenging for him.

Francisco’s foster parents and DHHS caseworker are aware that he will continue to experience academic challenges. His teachers adore him, as has almost anyone who spends some time with him.

An ideal adoptive family for Francisco is one experienced in parenting or working with children with special needs. Francisco needs parents with patience and the ability to provide a structured, nurturing and consistent environment.

Francisco’s adoptive parents also must be willing to participate in a careful, well-planned transition into their home and family, because of Francisco’s anxiety about change.

Francisco would be most successful in a family with other children, as well as pets. His adoptive family should understand the importance of Francisco’s relationship with his birth sister and support his efforts to maintain this connection.

Subsidy may be available for the most appropriate family.

Francisco is one of 226 Maine children in Maine DHHS care who are seeking an adoptive family. For more information about Francisco or other children available for adoption, contact A Family for ME at (877) 505-0545 or visit www.afamily

forme.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.