Meet Maine Foster and Adoptive Parents Stephen and Sheila
Stephen and Sheila Holbrook of Maine have been building a family of their own by allowing the children in their care to honor and maintain their important connections to siblings and birth parents. With some of their foster youth available for adoption and others not, the children in this caring family are traveling many paths to permanence. Regardless of a child’s particular journey through the child welfare system, the Holbrooks are committed to being a “forever family” for all the children in their lives.
When the Holbrooks were first married more than 30 years ago, they wanted to start a family immediately. “We knew we had a lot of love to offer and we made ourselves available to kids with a need for family,” Shelia explains.
They first adopted Seth, an 18-month old toddler, and then chose Casey Family Services as their partner in helping vulnerable foster children. “We’ve been a Casey family since day one,” Sheila says.
As foster parents, the Holbrooks began working with three siblings: Cheryl, Hazel and Irving. Over the years, the children’s birth parents had two more children, Nellie and Lavina, who eventually entered state custody, too. These two were also placed with the Holbrook family. As the three oldest children transitioned into adulthood and moved away from home, the Holbrooks then welcomed Sara and Eric, siblings from a different family.
In foster care, siblings are often separated due to limited placement options. The Holbrooks believe this is not in the best interest of the children. “Because siblings have an existing relationship, it should be preserved,” Stephen says. “There is a history and shared experiences that will support the children and help them feel connected to their roots, their history and their culture.”
Although the first set of five children was never legally freed for adoption, Sara and Eric were eligible. The Holbrooks formally adopted the brother and sister in April, 2005. But the Holbrooks are quick to add that in their eyes, there has never been any distinction among any of the children - they are all family.