My Hypothetical Family Situation

I am a single parent of a foster child who has special needs. The foster child that I currently have parental rights over was the second child born to a woman who used illegal drugs. The mother of the child is related to a member of our church and they sought the church’s help to ensure the child was living in a loving home, cared for by loving people.  Currently, the child is seven years old.

The child has an intellectual disability: mental retardation. She has limitations in the following areas: intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors. The child is below average in intelligence and mental ability and lacks necessary life skills. She learns new skills at a slower rate than other children who are seven years old.

I am currently employed as an early childhood center director. I am also in school to further my education. I currently make ninety thousand dollars annually.  My family and I are very comfortable we are considered upper middle class. Economically, the state and county that I reside in has afforded child care assistance to help me care for the child. English is our first language.