November was National Adoption Month. More than 100,000 children and youth in the U.S. foster care system are awaiting permanent, loving families. National Adoption Month is a time to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care. Tioga County would like to recognize one family, which has recently grown a little larger.
Victoria Remington and Rick Bishop decided in 2011 that they had room in their hearts and in their home for another child. They knew that there were many children in need of safe homes, and wanted to make a difference for at least one of those children. Victoria and Rick decided to become foster and adoptive parents.
After their certification, they began searching online for a child that would be a good fit for their family. Victoria and Rick had initially thought that they were looking for a young child, but then they found Cassie, age 17 at that time, on the New York State Adoption Service list of New York’s Waiting Children.
Cassie had first come into foster care when she was 6-years old. She had been in foster care ever since, and had been in 15 different placements. She had been freed for adoption for eight years and was looking for a forever family.
Victoria and Rick decided to contact Cassie’s caseworker to learn more. They began having visits with Cassie, and when this was successful, the plan was made to place Cassie in their home.
Cassie moved in, and Victoria and Rick began the court process to adopt her. On April 4, 2014, when Cassie was 18 years old, her adoption was finalized. Victoria and Rick became Cassie’s forever family, and Cassie took Victoria’s last name.
Victoria describes Cassie as a fun-loving, nice girl. Rick and Victoria appreciate how she makes them laugh every day. They love that she greets them every day after work with a hug.
Cassie loves that Rick and Victoria include her in all sorts of activities, from shopping, to visits with extended family, to going out for dinner. She also loves all the family pets, including dogs, cats, fish and birds. Cassie is working towards finishing school and also has a part-time job. Rick and Victoria are helping her learn the independent living skills she’ll need as an adult, and Cassie has shown incredible growth since moving in with Victoria and Rick.
Victoria and Rick admit that foster parenting can be challenging at times and that it is a big commitment, but they also feel that the rewards are great. Rick’s advice to families considering fostering and adopting is not to set your mind on one particular age group, because you may be surprised to find that it is not what you really want. They are glad that they decided to broaden their search, as they would not have known about Cassie otherwise.
Do you have room in your heart and in your home? Join the team that care about kids, the Tioga County Foster Parenting Program. Tioga County is in need of caring foster and adoptive families like Victoria and Rick, who are able to provide a nurturing home for children, including sibling groups, teenagers, and children with special needs.
For more information about becoming a certified foster and/or adoptive parent, contact Janice O’Connell at the Tioga County Department of Social Services by calling (607) 687-8346 or by emailing to janice.oconnell@dfa.state.ny.us. You may also visit them online at www.tiogacountyny.com/departments/foster-care-adoption-home-finding-unit.
