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Katelyn and Trevor
Oregon

Basic Info

Katelyn

Age: 31
Sex: Female
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Religion: Atheist

Trevor

Age: 33
Sex: Male
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Religion: Christian

Child Preferences

Age: Infant to 15 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: Moderate Physical/Medical Disability (Open to Discussion), Asthma, Drug Allergies, Environmental Allergies, Food Allergies, Difficulty Making Friends, Lying, Self-Abuse, Suicidal Attempts, Wets the Bed, Born with HIV issues or HIV Positive, Prenatal Drug Exposure, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Hearing Impaired, Speech Delays - Mild, Vision Impaired, Anorexia/Bulimia, Overeating, Academically behind due to poor attendance, Cognitive Delay - Mild, Mild Learning Disabilities, Speech or Language Impairment, One/Both Parents Diagnosed with Depression, One/Both Parents Have Alcohol Addiction, One/Both Parents Have Drug Addiction, One/Both Parents Diagnosed with Bipolar, Exposed to Domestic Violence, One/Both Parents Have Had a Mental Diagnosis, Child in Residential Treatment, Child has had a disrupted adoption, Multiple Placements, ADHD, AIDS, Arthritis, Diabetes, HIV, Missing Limbs: May Require Prosthesis, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Requires Medication For Psychiatric Condition/Mental Health Diagnosis, Requires Counseling/Therapy, 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, History of Sexually Acting Out, Sexually Abused in the Past, Sexually Active

Environment

State: Oregon
Neighborhood: Suburban
Residency:
Years Together: 11
Children in the Home: 0
Pet(s): Dog(s), cat(s)

Work

Katelyn

Occupation: Employee Engagement Specialist

Trevor

Occupation: Senior Data Analyst

Adoption Agency

Agency: A Family For Every Child
Worker: Elyse Hoots
Worker: elyse@afamilyforeverychild.org
City: Eugene
State: Oregon
Zip: 97402

Family Description

Trevor and Katelyn have been married for eight years and both have careers they enjoy. Their own childhood experiences have contributed to them wanting to help a child who has had a difficult family life to be able to experience a stable, loving family as they have finally found with each other. Both of them love to travel and are always up for an adventure or a movie on the couch. They are a dog and cat-loving family and enjoy spending time with friends and families. Trevor is originally from Tennessee and Katelyn is from Oregon. They met at a college in Missouri and lived in Kentucky for three years after getting married. Their perspectives are very open-minded and they seek to love and respect everyone around them. They love working together as a team and are excited to start this journey towards adoption!

Preference Description

We are looking for a child/ren that are willing to learn/grow with us. We do not feel that we have enough experience to adopt a child with high special needs. Our preference is for a girl/s, but if there is a boy in the sibling group, we'd consider that.

The McGill Family Profile

Katelyn and Trevor would like to adopt a female, male or nonbinary child, or sibling set of two sisters, or a sister and brother sibling group. They are open-minded when it comes to different cultures and beliefs and are open to children of any background, race, or ethnicity. Their ideal age range to adopt is birth to fifteen years old.

Introduction

Trevor and Katelyn like to travel, hike, watch movies and go out to eat with family and friends. Trevor is also a sports fan and enjoys watching soccer, baseball, basketball, and football with his friends. They love books and enjoy finding quaint and out-of-the-way bookstores. Katelyn has traveled throughout the world with her family and friends. Trevor has joined in those international travels since meeting Katelyn. When traveling they are particularly interested in learning about the history and culture of their travel destinations. Their travels have helped them to develop an appreciation and eagerness to learn about other cultures and traditions. They hope to continue their travel tradition with their children.

Other traditions they enjoy usually revolve around Katelyn's family as Trevor's family doesn't usually gather together for holidays. They especially enjoy the Christmas holidays and celebrate throughout December by decorating, baking, and wrapping presents. When they gather on Christmas Day, they have a day of traditions starting with the reading of the Christmas Story, followed by family prayer, a meal of prime rib, opening gifts, and an evening of family games or a movie. Katelyn appreciates that her parents were so good about making each holiday special and she wants to do the same for her children. They are excited to learn more about any traditions their child feels are important so they can include them in their celebrations.

Home and Community

The McGills recently moved into a new home in a family friendly neighborhood in Northeast Salem. While their home is outside of the city core, it is close to schools, parks, and shopping. Their home is 1,640 square feet with three bedrooms and 2.5 baths. The main floor of their home is an open concept living room, kitchen, and dining area. The upstairs has three bedrooms and two baths. Their home is warm and inviting with newer furnishings. Outside they have a good-sized fenced backyard with a small patio area.

Trevor and Katelyn live in Salem, Oregon. Salem-Keizer Public Schools, Oregon School District 24J, serves the communities of the cities of Salem and Keizer, educating over 42,000 students in 65 schools. It is the second-largest school district in Oregon. Salem-Keizer School District offers a broad range of student support services. The support services team is dedicated to providing professional and efficient support services that contribute to the success of students, the staff, and the community. The Salem-Keizer district offers students; assistive technology, augmentative communication, community transition programs, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Psychologists, Speech/Language Therapy, and Special Education.

Children's activities in the area include - The Gilbert House & Museum, many city parks, several community pools, baseball games, children's sporting leagues, and more!

Parenting Experience

Trevor and Katelyn both have extensive experience working with children. Trevor has eight nieces and nephews, Katelyn has many younger cousins, and the two have many friends with children. They have spent countless hours spending time with these kids.

Additionally, both Trevor and Katelyn's have a passion for supporting children which is evident through their volunteer activities. Katelyn has been a children's church volunteer and a youth group leader for several years. She has participated in mission trips working with children living in economically challenging areas. Trevor has been a youth leader, a children's church volunteer, and a student ministries director. He has participated in "Homework Help" clinics, fundraising with area schools/businesses for school supplies, and as a mentor to high school students.

Trevor and Katelyn have participated in a number of trainings relevant to their adoption and have recently completed reading "The Connected Child." Trevor has also read, "Self-Reg: How to Help Your Child (And You) Break the Stress Cycle and Successfully Engage with Life."

Katelyn has completed the following trainings: Marion County Foster Care Training (2022) The Center for Hope & Safety Call Center Support Program (2020) Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Prevention (2021) Child Abuse: Mandatory Reporting (2021) Ethics Policy Course (2021) Oregon Ethics (2021) Sexual Conduct: Staff-to-Student (2021) Youth Suicide: Awareness, Prevention and Postvention (2021) Inclusive Language in the Workplace and Classroom (2021) Indigenous People's Day: Why it Matters in Education (2021) Navigating Burnout (2021) CPR/First Aid Certification (2021) Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms (2020) Teaching English as a 2nd Language (2015) Mental Health Therapy (2019 - Present) Introduction to Social Work (2011) Negotiation in Conflict Management (2016)

Trevor has completed the following trainings: Marion County Foster Care Training (2022) Unconscious Bias Training (2021) Teaching English as a 2nd Language (2015) Student Ministry Connection Courses (Kentucky - 2014)

Support

Katelyn and Trevor have friends, family, and community resources as their support systems. They consider their marriage therapist, Joel, as a significant part of their support system. Not only has he been an important person to them as a marriage counselor, but he also has a lot of experience working with foster children and families of foster children. Katelyn and Trevor both consider their parents as part of their support system. Trevor feels that his stepdad, Ross, will be especially helpful because he too walked into a child's life mid-stream. In their friend network, there is much expertise for them to access. Their friend Lacey works with traumatized children, and Jen is a teacher. Another friend Lane has an adopted sibling, and their friend Aaron is adopted himself and is a nurse. Other friends are familiar with support systems for children with disabilities, and one friend works for DHS as a foster specialist. Trevor's workplace also offers resource groups for working mothers and fathers.

As they prepare for adoption, Trevor and Katelyn have identified several resources in their local area to support themselves and their children through the adoption process and beyond. If their children cannot retain their current therapist and physicians because of location, they have identified a local therapist, Amanda Jones, LPC, CASOT, who has significant training and experience with children who have experienced trauma. They have also been in contact with Childhood Health Associates, Acorn Dentistry for Kids, and Vita Family Medicine for their children's medical and dental needs. For additional parenting support, they have explored the resources at the Oregon Family Support Network, the National Parent Helpline, the Adoptive Family hotline, and Marion County Youth and Family Services. They have also familiarized themselves with the local Champions after school programs.

Commitment to Adoption

Katelyn and Trevor are very committed to the adoption process and giving their new family time to adjust. They understand the challenges that adoptive children can face and are willing to put in any work that is needed - physically, mentally, or socially. Counseling is very important to supporting them personally and as a newly forming family. Their heart and passion to make a difference in the life of a child is evident within the preparation they have done to bring a child into their home and the plans they have to make sure their child is well taken care of.