A creative child, Sierra, 10, loves dabbling in arts and crafts. She would love an adoptive family who would support her bright, inquisitive personality.

An active, energetic outdoors lover, Sierra enjoys swimming, sledding, kicking a soccer ball, and playing at the playground. When interacting with others, especially adults, she is engaging and friendly.

Sierra enjoys individual attention and likes to please others by helping. She has a great sense of humor and can be thoughtful and sensitive.

One of Sierra’s favorite activities is going to the library. She also likes to go to the park and to the movies. She attends the local middle school and does well in her classes. Her favorite subject in school is reading.

Sierra loves animals, especially cats. She has had many cats in her life and remembers them all. Around the house, Sierra is always offering to help with daily chores and enjoys pleasing others with her help.

Sierra came into Department of Health and Human Services custody in 1998 with three siblings. The children came into care due to abuse and neglect in their birth home. Sierra is in good medical health. She wears prescribed glasses that she has worn since October 2000.

Sierra has been diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder. She has participated in attachment therapy in the past, and it is imperative that she continues attachment work with her selected adoptive family. She is learning how to express her emotions and feelings in a more positive way.

Sierra does best in an environment where she feels comfortable and safe. When Sierra’s routine changes, she feels overwhelmed, and she becomes anxious and hyperactive. Positive feedback and reward programs help keep Sierra grounded and focused.

The ideal family for Sierra would be a one- or two-parent family with some experience parenting a child with special needs. Sierra would do best in a family where she is the only child.

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

Sierra has said: “The right family for me is one who can take care of me, not treat me bad, and when I play and when I am sad, they take care of me.”

An adoption subsidy is available for the most appropriate family. Sierra is one of the 161 children in state Department of Health and Human Services 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 information about Sierra or other children available for adoption, contact A Family for ME toll-free at (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.”