Newly adoptive family counts life blessings during National Adoption Month

Leading human services agency reflects on continuing need for loving homes for thousands of children in foster care

After closing the door on having biological children of their own, Brian and Teresa Brossard turned to leading human services agency Aspiranet to guide them through the foster-to-adoption process in hopes of expanding their family.

Crediting Aspiranet’s thorough training, the Brossards felt confident and secure in the moments before meeting their then 3-year-old son in 2015. The instant connection between Brian, Teresa and their foster child validated their choice to choose foster care. Weekly meetings with the Brossards’ social worker helped solidify the bond and transition to make the adoption official.

Brian and Teresa will celebrate National Adoption Month this November after proudly becoming their son’s adoptive parents when the process was finalized in September 2016. “The adoption did not happen overnight, but the process was seamless. Aspiranet worked hand-in-hand with us to become a certified foster parents, making it much easier,” explains Teresa. “In foster parenting and adoption, there are always challenges, but the rewards make it worth it. We couldn’t be more grateful for the extra support we received from the Aspiranet staff on this journey.”

According to AdoptUSKids, there are more than 55,000 children in foster care in California, and about 5,500 children are adopted each year. Aspiranet specializes in foster care and adoption, but sees a growing demand for its array of innovative services. Since its inception more than 40 years ago, Aspiranet has evolved to offer a continuum of care framework for families and youth. Aspiranet’s unique approach requires that foster children are individually evaluated and assessed prior to family placement. Once placement occurs, foster parents receive comprehensive compulsory training, in-depth educational programs, one-on-one counseling and ongoing 24/7 support and guidance.

“In 2015, we placed 10% of allchildren and teens referred into safe and loving foster families, but we know that on any given day, at least 3,000 more young people in California are waiting for a foster family to call their own who will be with them during life’s special moments,” said Diane Warne, Aspiranet Foster Care Director.Warne was referring to the non-profit’s current campaign to recruit important new homes for youth: “Life’s Special Moments.” The campaign seeks to remind the public that by providing a loving home for youth, especially teens, foster parents can enhance their lives by sharing special moments with youth that deserve them and the joy they bring.

For more information on Aspiranet’s “Life’s Special Moments” campaign, visit Aspiranetfamilies.org.

 About Aspiranet

Aspiranet, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) strengthens children, youth, families and communities through seven core programs including: Foster Care, Adoption, Residential, Transition Age Youth, Behavioral Health, Intensive Home Based Services and Family and Community Services throughout 45 locations within California.

Founded in 1975 as a six-bed group home for young boys in Moss Beach, Calif., Aspiranet is one of the most diverse nonprofit social service agencies in the state. With a statewide network of innovative services, Aspiranet serves more than 10,000 families each year. For more information, please visit www.aspiranet.org.