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Dawn and Scott
Oregon

Basic Info

Dawn

Age: 46
Sex: Female
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Religion: None

Scott

Age: 52
Sex: Male
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Religion: None

Child Preferences

Age: Infant to 13 years old
Sex: Either
Max Number of Children: 2
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian, African American, Asian, Native American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Mixed, Bi-Racial, Unknown

Special Needs the Family is Open To: Any Child, Animal Allergies, Asthma, Drug Allergies, Environmental Allergies, Food Allergies, Defiant, Difficulty Making Friends, Lying, Stealing, Tantrums-Severe, Wets the Bed, Drug Addicted at Birth, Failure to Thrive, Fetal Alcohol Effected, Low Birth Weight or Premature, Prenatal Drug Exposure, Speech Delays - Mild, Hoarding, Pica, Academically behind due to poor attendance, Cognitive Delay - Mild, Expulsion(s), Mild Learning Disabilities, Speech or Language Impairment, Suspension(s), One/Both Parents Diagnosed with Depression, One/Both Parents Have Alcohol Addiction, One/Both Parents Have Drug Addiction, Exposed to Domestic Violence, Child in Residential Treatment, Child has had a disrupted adoption, Multiple Placements, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, Adjustment Disorder, Depression, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Requires Counseling/Therapy, Destructive of Property, Willing to Maintain Contact via Mail with Bio Family, Willing to Maintain Contact with Past Foster Parents, Willing to Maintain Contact with Bio Grandparents & Other Relatives, Willing to Maintain Contact with Bio Siblings, Child Identifies as LGBT, Sexually Abused in the Past

Environment

State: Oregon
Neighborhood: Country/Rural
Residency:
Years Together: 10
Children in the Home: 2
Pet(s): Dog(s)

Work

Dawn

Occupation: Investigator, Dept. of Education

Scott

Occupation: Pharmacist

Adoption Agency

Agency: A Family for Every Child
Worker: Lindsey Costa
Worker: lindsey@afamilyforeverychild.org
City: Eugene
State: Oregon
Zip: 97402

Family Description

Scott and Dawn have been married for 7 years and have been together for 12 years. Dawn and Scott have a 7-year-old biological daughter and Scott’s 20 year old, biological son Ian, lives with the family as well in beautiful Pendleton, Oregon. Dawn and Scott understand the necessity in having experience and education regarding the special needs and concerns of children who have experienced trauma. In addition to Dawn’s extensive experience volunteering over the past 10 years, with children/families who have endured trauma; both she and Scott have taken 30 hours of trauma education just this last year through webinars and online courses recommended by child welfare social workers. In addition, the family has completed Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), which is a 24-hour program that is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. Our hope for our children is for them to enjoy life; get a good education; and have strong bonds with family, friends, and their community.

Preference Description

We hope to adopt a child/sibling duo of any race/ethnicity, ages infant to 13 years old. We are well-suited to parent a child with mild to moderate special needs. We would encourage children to maintain previous connections/relationships as they wish.

Parenting History

Dawn loves being a mother to Lilly and has truly enjoyed being a step-mother to both of Scott's biological children Ian and Davis. Dawn has also volunteered as a big sister as part of the Big Sister/Brother program, which only enhanced her parenting skills and beliefs.

Dawn and Scott understand the necessity in having experience and education regarding the special needs and concerns of children who have experienced trauma. In addition to Dawn's extensive experience volunteering over the past 10 years, with children/families who have endured trauma; both she and Scott have taken 30 hours of trauma education just this last year through webinars and online courses recommended by child welfare social workers.

Trauma Education & Experience

In addition, the couple has completed Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), which is a 24-hour program that is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children.

Dawn volunteers on her county's Citizen Review Board (CRB), a program within Oregons state court system that reviews the cases of children in foster care. She along with fellow board members, review case details regarding the status and progress of services provided to the family; as well as the appropriate permanency plan for the children. The board's findings and recommendations are filed with the court and sent to all legal parties to the case. In this position, Dawn is required to take continued education and has already logged 20 hours this year so far.

Previously, Dawn volunteered and worked for 7 years, at a domestic shelter where she would provide direct service and support; advocacy, resources and confidential services to women and children seeking safety from domestic violence and abuse.

Dawn has also volunteered at a refugee settlement center for 4 years, where she would work with families seeking safety from their home countries including Kenya, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Dawn would be the first person of contact for the arriving families, where she would provide them with trauma-informed support, advocacy and resources to assist them with integrating and acclimating the U.S.

Adventurous & Active Family

We spend our free time being active and on the go! Scott is a runner and we are both nature-lovers who enjoy being outdoors. As a family, we are adventurous in often seeking new experiences. We love to travel, finding new restaurants, camping sites, towns and parks. We also enjoy spending time with their family and many friends. Our family also includes our two sweet and friendly dogs, Brew and Libby in our travels among our destinations. We also enjoy other outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, cycling and hiking.

Home & Community

Pendleton is a small rural town, located at the base of the Blue Mountains in Northeastern Oregon. Pendleton has been awarded the title as the best town in Oregon to raise a family. The town is known for its representation of Native American, pioneer and cowboy history. The town has an abundance of cultural activities including the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute.

Our home is walking distance to schools, downtown, art centers, an aquatic center, the library, and many beautiful, green parks. The public school's athletic programs are also highly revered.

Our family spends their time at Pendleton home, or at their Bend, Oregon vacation home or at our family cabin in Wallowas, Oregon. Our primary residence in Pendleton, is Scott's childhood home. It has been extensively updated and renovated. It is a two-story, 5 bedroom and 2,946 square feet home with many large windows, providing for beautiful natural lighting.

Child Preferences

We know adoption is right for us, we quickly discovered that it feels like the perfect fit. We believe a family can take a million beautiful forms and that building an open and honest bond with our family and child.

We are committed to the ups and downs ahead and know that our experience and resilience will guide us to a positive path forward. We are so excited and ready for what the future holds!

Motivation to Adopt

We are committed to the ups and downs ahead and know that our experience and resilience will guide us to a positive path forward. We are so excited and ready for what the future holds!