11 year old Sierra is a bright, creative, articulate girl with a colorful, assertive personality who loves music, singing, dancing and drama. With a great sense of humor, she is very engaging. Sierra's innate intelligence has helped her gain and articulate good insight into her circumstances. She very much wants to be adopted. She aspires to attend college some day and excels in reading and language arts. She is at grade level and likes school. Sierra, who is not yet legally free , came into foster care in November 2006. Her continued efforts to improve and build her relationship skills are paying off. Her problem-solving skills are good, she is able to handle frustration, and she is able to share adult attention. While she continues to work on peer interactions in her therapeutic group home and on strengthening her boundaries, Sierra has earned the distinction on several occasions of being designated a peer leader. Although Sierra is a typical 10-year old in her emotional development and interests, she responds exceptionally well to adults who talk to her in a calm, rational, adult-like manner. When such adults are available to help her verbally process stressful events, she is much better able to handle them well. One source of stress for Sierra is the process of developing emotional intimacy, during which she may have an increased need for control and attention. Sierra typically has a long honeymoon in a new placement followed by somewhat manipulative and attention seeking behaviors. While direct confrontation is usually not effective with Sierra, she is easily engaged by adults who interact with her with positive regard. Since March 2009, Sierra has been living a therapeutic group home where she has made significant gains in increasing her inter-relationship skills, lessening her need for control, and strengthening her boundaries. According to the counselors and child care staff, she is ready to join a permanent family. While she clearly does not require the level of care the group home provides, the staff are all very willing to have her stay on until an adoptive family comes forward, which they hope will be very soon. Being willing to participate with Sierra in family counseling during the adoption transition would be a great way for her adoptive parent(s) to show their love and unconditional commitment to her. It would also show that they value using such therapeutic supports to help family members heal past hurts and make changes. Sierra's worker wants to hear from prospective adoptive parents who a good understanding of attachment issues and the impact that past trauma has on a child's sense of safety, well being, and behavior. Offering limited choices so that Sierra experiences a sense of control and using affirmations and other forms of regard, encouragement, and praise will go a long way in helping her to be successful. While Sierra could be an only child, having emotionally and socially healthy older sisters in her new family would be wonderful! Although Sierra is enrolled in the Oklahoma Choctaw Tribe, she knows little about her heritage and culture. Her adoptive folks need to be willing to help her learn and develop connections when she is ready. Her Tribe is supportive of the State's efforts to find the best family to meet Sierra's emotional and behavioral needs. Subsidy and Purchase of Service may be available. For adoption information call the Northwest Adoption Exchange at 1-800-927-9411.