Stars receive a small gift from FAM and a certificate of appreciation from the nominating agency. This month, we share a family from our partners at the Bridgeport DCF office.
Mr. and Mrs. Adams, a family licensed and supported by the Bridgeport DCF office are being honored as the Star of the Month for April 2013.
As you drive up to their home that has beautiful landscape and is located on a cul de sac, you see that the house is child friendly, with toys in the front yard and a tree house in the back yard. There are flags, for every month, hung by the front door. When you enter the home, you meet this humble couple, who have three children of their own and one adopted child through DCF. They are positive foster parents, in every sense of the word. Although they are humble with the terrific job that they do, together they are also team players. Mrs. Adams has exuberant energy with her daily schedule, which includes taking the children back and forth from school, and assorted family activities. She has a cheerful disposition, with a smile always on her face, no matter what lies ahead in the day.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet the Adams family just over a year and a half ago. She is a nurturing foster mother who is able to multitask in whatever way that she was expected. Her voice is always calm and gentle and she has a large grin on her face. The Adams always want to the "right things" for the children placed in their home, but never expect any credit for what they do. The children in their home receive exemplary care and Mr. and Mrs. Adams meet needs of the children who are placed in their home. Mrs. Adams gives the children endless hugs, smiles and most of all the love they need to thrive.
Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been licensed for approximately four years; through the years, they have had many foster children in their home. They understand the mission of foster care to return children to their families if at all possible, and have greatly contributed in assisting many biological families. Their adopted son continues to keep in constant contact with his grandmother, who was unable to provide full time care for him. The Adams family has provided both transportation and encouragement for the family of the foster child currently in their home in order to help this child return home. Mrs. Adams understands that an integral part of a child's life is to have contact with his or her biological family.
Mr. & Mrs. Adams advocate for the children in their care in an assertive but calm manner. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are viewed by the staff as being kind, caring and proactive with the children. They help children in foster care "rise to the highest occasion."
When I arrive at the home for early morning visits, a full breakfast is waiting on the table for her youngest son, Chase. Mrs. Adams is holding the youngest foster child. Their own adopted son, Chance, is thriving in this home. He is seen during home visits dancing to Michael Jackson songs. Chase is a happy little boy who is intelligent and full of life and love.
According to Judy Paneto, DCF Bridgeport Case Aide, this family is wonderful to work with and makes her job easier. She has worked with the Adams' previously, having had many good experiences. Hannah Smith, a close friend of the family, spoke about the family stating, "When Chance, their youngest son, was placed into this loving foster home, Mr. and Mrs. Adams and their three biological children gave love and patience to this child, who was offered the boundless gift of a new start." Hannah's mother, a DCF Social Worker, has the same sentiments about this family. She reported that they are big on fostering a relationship between the biological parents and their children.
The Adams family is particularly special and I am pleased to nominate them for the well- deserved title of Star of the Month.
Janet Singer, MSW
FASU Social Worker 
Department of Children and Families
Bridgeport Office
To laugh often and much;
