A little over 16 years ago, Santa Maria teachers Monique and Jose Segura saw a void and decided to fill it by becoming foster parents. In 2000, they made a decision to open their home to three sisters, ages four, six, and seven, who had been separated in order to be placed in foster care.
“The middle sister was a student in my class,” recalls Monique. “I learned about their situation by conferencing with her foster mother, and Jose and I immediately recognized that there was a need that needed to be met.” At the time, the couple had no idea how much these three little girls would change their lives.
“We needed them as much as they needed us,” says Monique. A year and a half later, after every attempt was made to reunify the girls with their biological family or place them with relative caregivers, the Segura’s legally adopted the sisters.
According to Our County, Our Kids, a program of the Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services, there are currently 390 children and youth from Santa Barbara County in out of home care. Of these 390, 260 are part of a group of siblings, but less than half of these siblings are living together.
“For families involved with child welfare, sibling relationships take on more importance because the siblings can provide the support and nurturing that might have otherwise been given by a parent,” said Gustavo Prado, Department Business Specialist, Adult and Children Services, Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services. “Siblings can serve as protection against the effects of trauma. Being with their brothers and sisters promotes a sense of safety and well-being, and provides them with an identity and a feeling of belonging.”
Over the last 16 years, the Segura sisters have faced many unique challenges, some of which have been catalyzed by learning and other disabilities. Along the way, Monique and Jose have learned valuable lessons about themselves, making them better people, parents, and educators.
“The girls helped me find the advocate I didn’t know was inside of me,” says Monique. “I found the voice I needed to support them, but I also developed a new understanding and a new compassion for children with special needs. That made me a better teacher.”
For many families looking to adopt, fostering can be a way to begin the process, but it’s not without its obstacles. The Segura’s credit their social worker and the guidance they received from the Our County, Our Kids team with helping them feel supported as they transitioned to life as a forever family. Today, all three sisters have earned high school diplomas and begun the transition to adult life, but their social worker is still available as a resource and receives a holiday card from the Segura’s every year.
The Segura’s believe that caring for our children and youth is a societal issue that effects entire communities, and they share their story to inspire others who may be considering a similar path.
“When you adopt a child,” says Jose Segura, “you make a difference not only in their lives, but in the lives of everyone they touch.”
For more information about foster care and adoption in Santa Barbara County, visit http://ourcountyourkids.org/.
