By Mercedes Gruzeski, an employee of Raise the Future
I wanted to take the time to explore a common question that is often asked by parents on the path to adopting a child from the foster care system: “Does it take a background in the medical field to be considered as an adoptive option for a child with high medical needs?” Through interviewing a few families that have adopted youth with high medical needs, as well as bringing in my own experience in supporting diverse families, I am confident in sharing that the answer is: No, it is not necessary to have extensive medical training to parent a child with medical needs.
Caring for anyone, especially a child from foster care, requires the caretaker to be flexible and adaptable to the needs of the person being cared for. Anyone is capable of doing this; we all develop a figurative toolbox that helps us manage new and challenging situations. If your box of tools includes flexibility and a willingness to learn, you already have what you need to be a good caregiver to a youth with medical needs.
Jeannette Montelongo, a pre-adoptive mother to a youth with severe medical needs, shared her perspective with me: “If you are willing to do the work to learn, then you will be okay. Gain your confidence and empower yourself.” Reading this blog post, attending trainings, and asking questions all indicate that you are off to a great start.
Another important factor to remember is that you are not alone. Youth with medical needs have a medical team that understands their condition(s), as well as a professional team of experts that know how to care for this youth and their needs. Lean on these teams for guidance; feel free to ask questions all the time. Jeannette shared that the professional and medical teams have been significant supports, and she attributes her family’s success to the help these teams have provided. More advice from Jeanette: “Lean into professionals and trust in them to train you. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Follow your heart, not your head.”
Although Jeannette has some training in the medical field, her husband does not. “My husband and I were terrified,” Jeanette shared. “We decided that our children are worth the hard work, and we just relied on our experiences and the children’s teams.”
If you and your family are interested in learning about a youth with high medical needs and you have limited training, that is okay. You will have opportunities to learn more and receive the training necessary to care for the youth’s needs – and remember, you are not alone. The Montelongos may be a lot like your family; if they can do it, you can too!
The Montelongos were chosen by the Colorado Department of Human Services as one of the five sets of foster parents of the year, were nominated to participate in Voice for Adoption’s 2020 Adoptive Family Portrait Project, and were also selected as speakers to share their story with Congress in the National Adoption Briefing.
Read stories from our national partner, AdoptUSKids, about families who have adopted youth with medical needs:
- Adoption Will Open Your Heart to New Adventures
- A Bond Beyond Language
- Our Story Is More Complex Than Most
- How Healing and Love Grew a Family
Additional resources: