Cooking and anything related to cooking are by far Ricky’s most favorite activities.

Ricky, 11, enjoys reading cookbooks, trying new recipes and especially tasting his creations. He aspires to be a chef one day.

Ricky is a very pleasant, outgoing and funny young boy. His caregivers describe him as a child who likes to be helpful and who enjoys showing others his possessions. Ricky’s personality is described as “laid back.” He likes playing with toy cars and dinosaur figures with his friends. Ricky enjoys watching movies and spending one-on-one time with adults.

Ricky is an average student who receives special education services for assistance in reading and math. He is an experiential learner, and he benefits from individual attention and activities that require him to use his hands. Ricky has been playing basketball with his school team.

Ricky has developed a good relationship with his current foster parents. He benefits from “flexible structure.” His routine is described as “the same each day” with some flexibility to accommodate spontaneous activities. Ricky benefits from being informed about changes in his routine, as he does not respond well to sudden changes in his schedule. Ricky does respond well to consistent limit setting and natural consequences.

Ricky and his brother, Scott, 8, came into care in October 2003. They have been living in separate foster homes. However, they visit regularly and hope to be adopted together into the same family.

Families who have experience with children with special needs, are consistent and firm in their approach to limit setting and who are open to receiving outside supports to assist them with understanding Ricky’s needs will be considered as a potential adoptive resource.

An adoption subsidy is available for the most appropriate family. Ricky and Scott are two of the 175 children in Maine Department of Health & Human Service’s care who are seeking an adoptive family.

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.

For more information about Ricky or other children available for adoption, please contact A Family for ME toll free at 1-877-505-0545 or visit www.AFamilyForMe.org and see the Heart Gallery of photographs of some of the many children awaiting a “forever family.”