A creative child, Sierra, 12, loves dabbling in arts and crafts. She would love an adoptive family who will support her bright, inquisitive personality.

An active and energetic lover of the outdoors, 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 is 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 DHS custody in 1998 with three siblings. The children came into care because of 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 participated in attachment therapy in the past, and it is essential that she continue 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 her routine changes, she can feel overwhelmed and become anxious and hyperactive. Positive feedback and reward programs helps keep Sierra grounded and focused.

The ideal family for Sierra would be a one- or two-parent family who has 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 also should be willing to maintain contact with Sierra’s biological sister.

Sierra has stated that “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 155 children now in Maine Department of Health and 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 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 who are waiting for a “forever family.”