Chelsea is a four–year–old girl that has been in foster care for eight months. Chelsea was living with her biological mother who has a drug and alcohol problem. She has no other siblings, and her biological father is unknown. Chelsea was removed from her biological mother due to her mother’s battle with drugs and alcohol. Chelsea was originally placed in a temporary foster home, since it was told that Chelsea would be returning as soon as her mother would receive some services for her addiction. A few months later, Chelsea’s mother admitted that she could not fight the battle of addiction. A judge ordered Chelsea to be moved into a pre–adoptive home, as the temporary foster home knew they would not adopt another child at this time. Luckily, Chelsea had the opportunity to meet her current pre–adoptive foster home. This foster home was friends with the temporary foster home, and knew from the start that they wanted to adopt Chelsea. They immediately got licensed as foster parents specifically for Chelsea, and the transition into their home began.

Chelsea has many challenges and is currently in therapy. At times, she will portray some aggressive behaviors like: baby talk, tantrums, wetting pants, finger sucking, and extreme outbursts. She has built up anger of which is portrayed by yelling, screaming, and biting those of whom she is close to. She has not seen or talked to her mom since she has been in foster care, she asks all the time about her biological mother, and is starting to understand the impact of which her mother’s drugs and alcohol addiction affected her life. Her pre-adoptive family has now provided Chelsea with safety, stability, and love. They allow Chelsea to talk about her biological mother, and continue stating to Chelsea that “God loves us all and he brought you to us”. It pains this family to see Chelsea hurting so much. They wish that there was some way to take away all her pain and anger of which was held inside.

Chelsea is a four–year–old girl that is very bright and intelligent. She is starting to realize and learn that she now has a mother, father, and now a sister that loves her deeply. She is realizing how valuable she is to this new family. She is learning that she can love her biological mother and also have a family that will love her unconditionally.