April 2008 Caseworker of the Month
Rita Grimson
Lead Family Services Specialist
South Dakota State Child Protection Services
We have been foster parents for 6+ years and only adopted special needs children. We have worked with many social workers and have had both good and bad experiences but I have to tell you of one very special worker. My one son came to us as a NICU graduate with many, many health issues. After we were determined to be his adoptive match (about 16 months after placement) he needed surgery in a town about 6 hours from us. I was very scared as my husband could not be with me and the doctors were not sure if our son would survive this surgery. His adoption worker Rita Grimson said she would drive out to be with me through the surgery and as long after as I needed her. The night before the surgery there were terrible storms, including tornadoes. Rita drove through these storms and late into the night to get to me and our son. She stayed up until almost 2 am with me when this child was struggling after surgery and stayed until my husband could come. I feel that she has never gotten the recognition that she deserves for all of the extra stuff she does. We have since adopted 2 other children from her case load and are working on our 4th adoption with her now. We love working with her as she is someone who puts her all into each case. She cares about these kids and that isn't always true. Thanks to Rita a lot of kids have the care they need no matter their situation.
The Boesem Family
Rapid City, SD
Adopted 7 children
“I have had the privilege in working with Randy and Nora Boesem through three prior adoptions and one in the process. It has been such an honor to work with Randy and Nora as they exemplify the true meaning of what an adoptive family is and should be. They are loving, committed, and provide their children with unconditional love. Their children provide them with daily challenges that most parents would find both exhausting and heart breaking; however, Randy and Nora have the ability to find the joy and best in their children so that they can celebrate even the smallest accomplishments. I have learned so much from them and I find it is my obligation to pass what they have so openly shared with me to other families so that they too can learn to celebrate the every day accomplishments and not dwell on the challenges. It takes very rare and extraordinary people to become adoptive parents who want to take on the many challenges that our children bring into their families. I truly feel that Randy and Nora are blessed and very special people.” - Rita Grimson
Read the press release.