Wednesday's Child: 12-Year-Old Riley

BOSTON (CBS) - Riley is a healthy, artistic 12-year-old young lady of Caucasian descent. Riley describes herself as a combination of "feisty and silly!" Others say she is resilient, intelligent, cunning, observant and sarcastic. Riley has her own sense of humor that you will grow to love. She is an easy child to like and has many interests that she enjoys exploring. She especially loves to read, watch television, play the keyboard, play board games and do arts and crafts projects.

Riley thrives for adult interaction and enjoys just about anything that she does with an adult. She also thrives for normal peer relationships but based on her foster care and school history she has not had many opportunities to build lasting friendships. Because of the lack of exposure to appropriate peers, she has a difficult time interacting socially and engages easily with younger children. She will require on-going support to build her social skills. Riley is a smart young lady who requires the support of an Individualized Education Plan in school. She receives social/emotional support as well as some academic assistance.

She is currently in a sub-separate classroom within a typical public school that offers additional support to students. Riley expresses wanting to be in a regular education setting and will likely start some inclusion next academic year. In the future, she would love to consider opening a cupcake business and possibly a daycare.

Legally freed for adoption, Riley is open to any family dynamic. She requires a family with firm and consistent, non-emotional parenting skills who can provide a mix of love and nurturance. She wants to be accepted as part of the family and not feel like the "foster kid." She has done well in all family settings and dynamics when the parenting is consistent. Riley thrives on rigid and consistent parenting and parents that are fully engaged in her activities and well -being. Her social worker is open to considering any family constellation with or without other children. A family will need to be open to maintaining contact with her sister who is placed in another home.

To learn more about Riley, and about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678) or visit www.MAREinc.org.The sooner you call, the sooner a waiting child will have "a permanent place to call HOME."