Blessings

Unexpected Blessings:

Tracy Johnson’s Journey of Inclusion

TRACY JOHNSON WITH BIOLOGICAL SON COOPER AND TWO FOSTER CHILDREN.

BY ERIN PAGE PHOTOS BY KIMERA BASORE

Tracy Johnson’s plate was already full when she began fostering more than two years ago. A single mom of a 10-yearold son and speech pathologist for Edmond Public Schools, Johnson requested placement of one foster child at a time. She received her first placement call for an 11-month-old and his newborn brother. Though it wasn’t what Johnson was expecting, she didn’t hesitate in saying yes. She cared for the sibling set for five months before they were moved to an adoptive home.

“When they left, I said I’m only doing one next time!” said Johnson.

As luck would have it, she was placed with a little boy whose biological mom was expecting. When asked if she would take the baby when she was born, she agreed wholeheartedly.

“I have seen a bond with siblings that I can’t imagine if they were split,” said Johnson. “The 20-month-old takes care of his sister. He hears her cry before I will. If I get four more calls [for siblings] I can’t imagine ever splitting them.”

Keith Howard, president and CEO of Circle of Care, the placement agency through which Johnson fosters, says while the agency does its best to place children within foster families’ parameters, Circle of Care’s foster parent training exposes them to the realities of siblings in foster care. According to the agency, a sibling group of three has only

a 65 percent chance of staying together, while a group of five has a 0 percent chance, primarily because most foster families simply don’t have the necessary space or vehicles.

Howard, himself a foster and adoptive father, says like Johnson, he realized through his own journey the importance of supporting sibling relationships in foster care whenever possible.

“That sibling relationship will be the longest relationship in their lives,” said Howard. “They shouldn’t suffer the consequences of that relationship being broken because the system can’t keep them together.”

Circle of Care ascribes to a report by the 2002 National Youth Leadership Advisory team position paper that describes the experience of foster siblings placed in separate homes as “extra punishment and a separate loss.” Like Johnson, Howard has witnessed the benefits of his kids healing together.

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METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2018

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TRACY JOHNSON WITH FOSTER DAUGHTER.

“They can openly talk about past experiences together and keep those memories alive,” said Howard. “Negative and positive, as siblings, they understand and relate to all those things. If we just had one, they wouldn’t have as many opportunities to process or might not feel as comfortable.”

Redefining family

Johnson’s unique foster care journey means she’s taken home two newborns straight from the hospital, spending about two years waking up in the night with babies. Johnson always wanted more kids, but after her divorce from her son Cooper’s dad, she wasn’t sure that could become reality. Her sister, who has also fostered, inspired Johnson to take the leap of faith.

“I have a heart for kids; I work with them every day,” said Johnson. “But I needed to be convinced I could do this as a single and working mom.

Howard says while the “norms” of society can get in the way of parents like Johnson believing in their abilities, some of the best

foster parents he’s worked with in his career have been single moms.

“You can’t let society dictate that for you,” said Howard. “We make sure those families have a strong support network and identify the resources they need.”

Johnson also wondered how Cooper would react. The mother-son duo made the decision together to foster. Described by his mom as mature and responsible, Johnson says Cooper has taken in their foster children like siblings and is very helpful in caring for the babies.

“It’s been beneficial for him to learn about helping others and realizing people don’t have everything we have,” said Johnson. “This has made us stronger in some ways, and in others he’s been able to realize it’s not all about him.”

She appreciates that Circle of Care holiday parties and events include biological and adopted children like Cooper.

“We create inclusiveness because fostering is just as much a part of their story as anyone,” said Howard, who ensures biological and

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2018

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