Photolisting Profile for Cheyann

Cheyann is an 8-year-old girl from Oregon who is hoping to be adopted.

Cheyann is a lively, likable and fun-loving little girl. She loves to giggle and her laughter is infectious. She has a joy for life, and her sunny and extroverted personality is typically upbeat and happy. Though her observations and comments about things and people are often “off beat,” Cheyann’s unique charm draws you in. Like when she proclaims her love for the big yellow school bus, and then steps out in front of it to “give it a big hug.” Cheyann can be overly friendly but is learning appropriate ways of showing her interest and attachment to people and things. Cheyann has a high energy level. She is immature for her age and very impulsive. She does a good job of expressing her feelings and thoughts in safe environments. She has made excellent progress in the four years she has been in care, considering she had to learn ''from scratch'' how to behave and interact with others. Cheyann can still escalate quickly when frustrated, but with quick, firm intervention, she is genuinely willing to accept re-direction. Cheyann finds stability and comfort in consistency, and responds well to structure and predictability. She will noticeably react if rules are inconsistently applied to her or to others.

She is finishing up 1st grade, where she received the structure, attention and support of an “emotional growth” classroom and is at grade level She will be re-evaluated each year to determine when she is ready to begin transitioning into mainstream classes. She takes medication that helps her maintain focus at school, and is learning how to read. She has almost tackled her favorite book, The Cat in the Hat, but still needs help sounding out the words.

Cheyann is able to manage her hygiene and dress and undress herself. She loves all the Disney movies and enjoys being read to every night. She LOVES animals and can be over-exuberant with them; needing prompts not to hug the dog too hard or force the cat to stay on her lap. She has only the best intentions toward them but could ''kill them with kindness'' due to her impulsiveness.

Cheyann has formed attachments with the important adults in her life. She remembers her therapist and previous foster family and comments about things they may or may not do or like. She remembers her school teacher from last year and is pleased when she has an opportunity to greet her. In her current foster home, Cheyann is described as somewhat hyper-vigilant or anxious. She always knows where everyone in the family is and what is going on everywhere in the home. She tends to stick close to “mom” and at times is ''clingy,'' She is also excited and pleased when extended family members come to the home to visit, as long as she is prepared for the change. She has a unique relationship with each of her two foster grandmothers and loves to interact with her foster parents' adult children. She always warmly greets her caseworker and seems happy to see her own great grandparents when they visit. Cheyann needs the focused attention of experienced parents to commit to her for the long term so that her full potential can be realized.

Photo(s) Courtesy of www.afamilyforeverychild.org