November is National Adoption Month. It’s a time to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from the foster care system, to give them permanent families. Several Midwestern states, including Nebraska, Wyoming, Iowa and the Dakotas, continue to take children into the  foster care system at relatively high rates compared to the rest of the country.

“In Nebraska alone, there are approximately 4130 children in the foster care program, some of them waiting for a permanent home,” explained Melissa Breazile, Research Coordinator for Voices for Children in Nebraska, located in Omaha.

The 2011 campaign is targeted toward the recruitment of families for preteens, or those between eight and 12 year olds. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Adoption Week, and in 1995, under President Bill Clinton, the week was expanded to the entire month of November.

Locally, several families have extended their homes--and their hearts--to former foster care children, who are now a permanent part of their families.

One such family, Jim and Alice Ryschon, have adopted two children. In May of 2002, Olivia, then three and a half, and Trevor, all of 18 months, came into their home for “temporary care.”  The Ryschons had fostered Olivia and Trevor for 15 months when the biological parents relinquished all rights to the children.  At that point, the Ryschons were given the opportunity to adopt.

“We had no hesitations about adopting Olivia and Trevor”, said Alice. “At that time they were already very much a part of our family”.

So they began on the necessary paperwork.

“It took a few months to get all of the paperwork finished”, said Alice, “and on April 5, 2004, they were legally adopted into our family”.

The Ryschons have three older daughters: Shelley, Amie and Sarah. Shelley and Amie are both married and have children of their own. The Ryschons also have five grandchildren.

“The grandchildren adore Olivia and Trevor. They fit in so well to our family that no one even thinks about the adoption, they are just part of our family”, Alice said, smiling.

Mel and Lori Widener began fostering children in 1999. They have helped a total of nine children over the years. The family also have four biological children, all girls.  The youngest, Faith, was born in August of this year.

Joseph was the first of Widener’s foster child to be adopted into their family. He was only six weeks old when he arrived at their home and he was placed as a “Hospice baby.”

“The term ‘Hospice baby’ means that they thought his time was very short,” explained Lori. “He had an unbelievable amount of people praying for him.”

Joseph is to date a healthy ten year old boy, “and he is all boy,” added Lori.

She also said that Joe is very funny and has a lot of talent. “He is really good at singing,” she pointed out. “He’s just so shy.”

Joseph did muster enough courage to try out for Sing Around Nebraska in connection with the Mary Lynch Elementary School earlier this week.

“Grace Lynn” came into the Widener family at the age of eight months in 2004. She was adopted in 2009. When asked what Grace had added to their family dynamics, Lori responded, “Joy,  indeed joy. She was the most amazing child; despite her struggles, she was always smiling. She never held a grudge against anyone.”  Grace had downs syndrome and died April 4, 2009.

Lori Widener advises anyone who may be interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting a child from the foster care system to “know yourself, what you’re good at and what you can handle.” She added that equally important is examining where the foster/adopted child will fit within the birth-order of your other children.

“Most importantly”, continued Widener, “Never foster a child “older” than what your experience is with the children you have or are currently raising, so that you will have the knowledge from the previous experience to help you.”

Jim and Rhonda Brown have four children have become a part of their family.  “Rhonda and I couldn’t have children of our own,” Jim explained. “She really wanted to be a ‘Mom’ and this has been really fulfilling for her and myself.”

The Browns started foster parenting in 2008 and in February of 2010 they adopted siblings, Junior and Taliyah, now ten and 11 years of age. In September of 2009 they added Josh, then 4. He was adopted into the Brown family in February 2011. Jade, their 10 year old daughter, was adopted through a private service in August of this year.

Jim Brown has two grown children, Brian, 41, and Rebecca who owns and operates the local Java Blend. She is 34. The Browns also have three grandchildren.

“We have children the same ages as our grandchildren,” stated Rhonda.

Jim allowed that their children all get along with each other, adding that there are always different challenges because of the children’s different backgrounds and experiences.

Jim and Rhonda want to encourage anyone who may have an interest in foster parenting to get in contact with the Health & Human Services in Scottsbluff or Sidney.