Jerry has been in foster care five years and has had 12 placements, including his current Therapeutic foster care home. Having a challenging first four years of life, he is now working through his confusion and trying to understand what has happened to him through Play Therapy and his artwork. He has a solid Treatment Team in place (including his Therapist, Psychiatrist, Speech Therapist, Day Treatment Staff and a Mentor) to help him heal from his trauma. His team should be viewed as a great source of information and support to prospective adoptive parents.

Jerry would do best in a two parent family and he responds more positively to men than women, so a male couple might be well suited to him. However, what is most important for Jerry is that his prospective parents have some understanding and knowledge of "attachment theory," as well as grief and loss issues. Jerry needs a committed family, who can remain emotionally neutral when Jerry escalates, and who can provide a calm and nurturing environment with a consistent, predictable day to day schedule, with clear and firm boundaries.

Jerry needs a secure and patient family that can give him time to develop trust. A family flexible enough to understand Jerry's sense of fairness, and his feelings of anxiety and his issues around trust. Prospective parents who have knowledge/experience with OIS Training (Positive Parenting) and Collaborative Problem Solving will be viewed favorably.

Most recently, Jerry's self-esteem has improved and he is learning to practice empathy. He now enjoys spending time with his Mentor, and they have gone to church together, which Jerry also enjoys. Jerry has been through considerable trauma, loss and grief, but he still wants very much to be adopted. A safe, secure and permanent family may be the key to help Jerry realize his full potential.