Behind every adoption story is a series of small, courageous “yes” moments. For Roberta, what began as a call for service for one child turned into something much greater — a journey that led to permanency for three sisters. Her story is a powerful reminder that fostering teens and sibling groups, while not always easy, can lead to extraordinary and life-changing outcomes for everyone involved.
I asked Roberta what got her into fostering initially (she was a child-specific foster parent)
“It was a unique situation that got me into fostering, I received a call for service for a 12-year-old child [now 15 years old] with special needs. I had been her home nurse for 10 years but retired two and a half years earlier. She was a victim of severe neglect and I didn’t hesitate to step forward. Able to get my foster license and two years later she was in great shape. Then I received a call for placement of her two younger sisters, ages 9 and 13, due to a foster home they were in not working out. I accepted that placement and it’s been more than a year.”
Roberta has since adopted the now 15-year old youth’s younger sisters. She recently officially adopted her 15-year old on January 27th 2026. In the course of 2 years, Roberta has adopted 3 girls from the same family. I then asked Roberta about her experience working with teens and siblings.
“The benefit of siblings is that they know each other and they know me, there is somewhat of a common goal. They were cooperative and we were able to find a routine that worked for all of us. Two teen girls, one with special needs and a pre adolescent sister of course presented special challenges just for their age group. Three different schools and different schedules require that my world revolves around them. The satisfaction of achieving desired goals for each of their needs and the plan in general to get through life, has been very rewarding. Not easy but rewarding, and it’s good to be busy in retirement!”
Roberta has now adopted 3 siblings and still remains in contact with the 3 girls biological parents so they can maintain connection. Lastly, I asked Roberta what her advice would be to new and current foster parents.
“My advice to new foster parents is the reminder that human beings cannot be controlled, they have minds of their own and can only be advised for their best interest. You can have rules in your home and rules for them that they follow when they are in your home, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they follow those rules when they’re away from home. They need to make their own decisions as best they can, they will grow up. Taking with them the advice and support that you taught them while in your care.”
As a TFC coordinator, I was only part of a short portion of this foster parents journey, but it has been so rewarding seeing the outcome of this case. As child welfare professionals, the first goal is to reunify foster youth with their biological families when safe and appropriate – but as most of us know that is not always going to be in the best interest for the youth in a case-by-case situation. Hearing about Roberta’s journey with the older sister she recently adopted was heartwarming, as well as her continuation to keep those important relationships with biological parents intact as they have been appropriate. Roberta not only created permanency for these 3 girls, but she also actively practices the importance of biological family connections when safe and appropriate. We will miss you Roberta, but we are so happy for your future with your family!
EN 
ES