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For some medically fragile infants, placement in a medical-tier foster home is an important first step. These foster parents receive specialized training through DHS Child Welfare and can provide the bridge between hospitalization and placement with their mother in some cases. When this happens, it is so important for the birth mother, the foster parent, and Willamette Family staff to work together to insure the child's health and safety needs can be met and that the mother knows how to meet her child's special requirements.
One very special medical foster mother is Mary Ellen Riley. She has provided foster care since last August and is a passionate advocate for the services provided through Willamette Family and Child Welfare. Along with others, Mary Ellen helped reunite an infant who was born addicted to heroin with his mother while she successfully completed residential treatment at Willamette Family. Mary Ellen has since developed a strong supportive, ongoing relationship with the mother as she continues her recovery and parenting.
Mary Ellen is the incoming president of the Airport Rotary Club and hopes to make helping these "silent victims" of addiction a club priority. She describes what she is doing as "working for these mothers" and says it has been an incredible journey for her these past months. Willamette Family staff are so appreciative to work with such a wonderful partner. The difference she has made in this young family's life is incredible.