Adoption Day in Quarantine

COVID-19 has changed many things, but it hasn’t kept children in foster care from finding forever families. We previously shared about Lauren and Nick’s journey to become family for Izzy and Anna. PCHAS is proud to have worked creatively with the family’s team to ensure their adoption day was extra special, even in the midst of a pandemic.

Adoption hearings are one of the few happy things that take place in family and juvenile courts. It’s common for adoptive families to dress up for the occasion while friends, family, caseworkers and other key players fill the courtroom to show their support. So, when Lauren, Nick, Anna and Izzy learned that their adoption hearing would be held on Zoom instead of in a courtroom, they thought they might be missing out.

Instead, their special day exceeded their expectations. A virtual venue meant even more family and friends – some living in other states – could participate in the girls’ adoption. The turnout was so great that the judge even joked that the family set a new record for the number of attendees. The community that supported the family throughout their journey continued to surround them.

The family couldn’t be more thankful for their entire team, noting that Child Protective Services workers, PCHAS staff, attorneys, the girls’ Austin Angels mentor and everyone else on their team were, “the most caring, supportive people we could’ve asked for.” They were especially grateful for their PCHAS case manager. “Sheri was really awesome. She has this huge heart. She cares so deeply about the girls.” The PCHAS team was proud to be part of the family’s entourage on adoption day. “The anticipation is built so high with all these people who’ve known them for so long. It’s a big outpouring of support, joy and fun,” said Nick. Austin Angels, a local nonprofit that provided mentoring for the girls, helped make the day even more special by decorating their yard and throwing a parade. Izzy ran along, leading cars around the block with lots of cheers and honking horns.

Now, as they’ve settled into life as an adoptive family, the girls are still getting to know some of their many extended family members. In total, they have eight living grandparents, including their biological grandmother as well as extended biological family with whom Lauren and Nick have helped maintain contact. Anna said that she’s enjoying her new friends and extended family, and feels excited when it hits her that, “this is our family now.”

“It’s been really fun to be able to grow that sense of family-ness. It turned out good,” said Anna. Younger sister Izzy agreed and added that their family has turned out, “Great! Very good!”

More than 3,000 Texas children are waiting to be matched with an adoptive family. PCHAS foster care and adoption guides are available to ensure you get the honest answers you deserve. Connect with us by emailing fosteradopt@pchas.org, calling 281-324-0544 or joining us for a foster care & adoption online info session.