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Fisher Family

 

I first became a foster parent in 1979 when I was working as a music therapist for a Special Education program in a school system. It was there that I met Jamie. He was a boy who needed to be removed from his home and needed a placement, so I volunteered. I was quickly licensed and began fostering him.

Soon thereafter, I met my future husband Jim and we had a great time with Jamie. Jamie was eventually moved to a long-term facility, but by then we had the “foster care bug.” Jim and I were married in 1981 and were licensed in 1985. Once we were licensed as a couple, we took pre-service training and completed a home study. This gave us a much better picture of the expectations of being a foster family as well as the child welfare system.

In 1989, we were licensed as therapeutic foster parents, which required more specialized training. We initially fostered a seven-year-old girl—what a great and fun first placement she was! We then ventured into fostering teens and found our gift. We have primarily fostered teens over the years, although there have been a few younger children.

We have found the key to success with children of any age is to first focus on building a relationship. When children first come into our home, we try to have their room ready, have another child show them around the house, and just share a few rules. During the first few days, we try to be fairly low key as we get to know each other. I try to fix the foods they like, find out their interests, etc. We are a family that likes to do many activities and are seen for most youth as a fun place to live with reasonable expectations and rules.

Our family has fostered for 23 years and adopted 3 children from the child welfare system. We adopted these children, who were teens at the time, in order to provide permanence in their lives. I believe it has been beneficial to have fostered these children prior to adopting. I am also the director of a foster care agency in Indiana and currently the President of the Board of Directors for Indiana Foster Care and Adoption Association. I love the opportunity to share my passion of making a difference in the lives of children and families through foster care and adoption. I am thankful for the privilege of being called to this meaningful ministry.

Find out more how to adopt and how to foster.

Media who would like to interview the Fisher family, contact us at info@adoptuskids.org or 888-200-4005.