Michelle Corey lives in Torrington with her biological son Edward Corey who will be a sophomore at Central Connecticut University and her sixteen year old foster child James in a new home that she recently purchased. Michelle has always wanted her own home and wanted to have more bedroom space for her two boys as well as an extra bedroom to take an additional foster placement that her old residence couldn't afford.

Michelle first became licensed as a foster care provider for the Department of Children and families in March 2003. Since that time, Michelle has had nineteen foster placements. These placements have been for the most part, pre-teen or teenaged boys of whom many were experiencing significant behavioral or developmental challenges.

Over the years, Michelle has exponentially grown in her confidence, her abilities and her drive to provide care to children experiencing numerous issues. Her maturity and knowledge has benefited the many children placed in her care.

Michelle is a committed and motivated foster care provider. She understands that many of the children placed in her home had experienced varying levels of abuse and neglect, and she has always been sensitive to their needs and emotions. She consistently goes above and beyond in the giving of her time and her affection.

Michelle has taken children into her home who no one else either wanted due to their difficult behaviors or their significant histories. She has always entered into a new placement experience with no preconceived notions or expectations. This wonderful attitude has earned Michelle Corey the respect and admiration of her peers, many DCF staff as well as area service providers with whom she has worked over the years.

Michelle is not a "quitter" and has devoted herself to helping children through the good times as well as the bad. Michelle understands that stability and consistency are keys to providing a child with the feeling of safety and family.

Michelle is also actively involved in her foster children's educational, medical and behavioral planning. She participates in PPT meetings and encourages dialogue between the teachers and administration in order to provide her foster children with the benefit of such communication.

Michelle has no difficulty seeking resources for the children who are placed in her care. She is fully aware of services available in her community as she has dealt with many if not all of them in the Torrington catchment area. Michelle promotes and works closely with all peripheral services recommended for her foster placements. She has participated in both in-home services such as FST and IICAPS as well as the Bridges Program and other service providers in the Torrington area.

Michelle is extremely sensitive to her foster children's unique experiences and understands that each child has his own way of grieving for their family. She is fully supportive of the child through the grieving process.

Michelle is described as a "great advocate", "extremely patient", "calm" and "respectful". She has the knack of turning complex events or difficult behaviors into teachable moments.

Michelle is and has been such a blessing to all of the children who have crossed over her doorstep. She has great insight into the minds of children in care and gently guides them to make good choices for themselves and their futures. She is truly a "Star" in her role as Foster Mom.

The Torrington Department of Children and Families would like to express our deep gratitude to Michelle Corey for her selfless dedication to all of the children for whom she has parented.

It is such an honor to nominate Michelle Corey as the Foster Adoptive Mission's Star of the month recipient!