Vol. 3, No. 1 • Fall 1998

Readers Write

About last issue�s writing contest winner
Editor�s Note: We seldom get to hear about what happens to the children who bring the �Kids Pages� to life, so we thought we�d share the following letter regarding Hillary, the first place winner of last issue�s writing contest.

After two and a half years, Hilary and her father were reunified over Easter. They were both given a new start on life. She appears to be doing well and adjusting to her new school. Her musical gift with the clarinet allowed her to become the number one chair in the band.

She has called us several times and now realizes that she does have the ability to do well. Hilary had made A/B honor roll in 5th grade and won the science fair, but 6th and 7th grade caused her real problems (like many teenagers).

She called us on Mother�s Day and apologized for being so mean and angry all the time. She thanked us for loving her anyway and realized that you do not know how much you�ll miss what you have until you do not have it anymore.

�Hilary�s former foster father

Lying and stealing a real issue for some
I am a single parent with a biological son and a newly-adopted son. I decided I would adopt so my son would not be alone. We needed someone to share all this love with and he wanted a brother, and I wanted another child. However, this child was with the same foster family since birth. Anyway, he started stealing and lying. My mother suggested I make him return the watch he stole to the store manager. I did and it worked for a while, but the lying continues.

I was reading the article about Shane and thought �Wow! Someone with the same problem!� only to find out you�re looking for the same solutions I am. My adopted son is 7 years old and he�s been with me for one year now! If you find some strategies please help.

�Mrs. Lee, Mecklenberg County

Editor�s Response: Mrs. Lee, please refer to Katherine Leslie�s article "Response to Shane: Children Who Lie and Steal" of this issue.

Solution for those wanting to insure vacationing foster children
I enjoy reading Fostering Perspectives and would like to comment on an article in Vol. 2, No. 2. In the �Foster Parents Ask DSS� column there was a question concerning vacations and the availability of Medicaid to cover costs.

I ran into this same problem as a program director at Elon Homes for Children. I had a young man who was invited to go skiing in Colorado. The only problem was that I could not guarantee health coverage. The chances that a hospital in a state that does not border North Carolina will have a North Carolina provider number are very slim, and the chances that a hospital would go through the expense of requesting and getting approval for a North Carolina provider number are even slimmer.

I solved my problem by purchasing temporary health insurance for this 13-year-old boy. The policy carried a $250 deductible and 20 percent co-payment up to $5,000, with total coverage not to exceed $2,000,000. The policy did not cover preexisting conditions, but it did cover non-emergency and emergency services. The policy cost $34.20 for 30 days. If an accident had occurred or medical care was needed, the out-of-pocket-cost to the family or DSS would have been limited to $1,250.

In this case, DSS even paid the $34.20 policy premium. This policy is good in the United States or for travel abroad. The cost also varies with the age of the person covered, but for children the cost is very small.

As a foster parent and adoptive parent I have used this alternative myself. Mitchell Savin with Security Insurance Brokers in Greensboro (336/854-4449) can provide more information if you need it.

�Kenneth B. Maxwell, Guilford County

Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families