Submitted photo by Rich Sprouse Enough love for all Jeff and Karen Halverson enjoy time at home with Isaac, Aleeah and Damon. While most parents look forward to the day that the kid's leave the house, Jeff and Karen Halverson say there are no such thoughts in their minds.

"We decided to have more children, but when we couldn't, we got into foster parenting with the hopes of adoption," said Jeff Halverson, a conservation officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The Halverson's adopted sixyear old Damon and five-year-old Aleeah, biological brother and sister, in 2004. Last October they adopted Isaac, who's nearly twoyears old. All of the children were adopted through Todd County Social Services.

Halverson thinks there's a connection between his work as a conservation officer and adopting children. "I love the education and kid part of being a conservation officer as much or more than the enforcement end of the job," Halverson said.

"I've been blessed to be in Staples all 23 years of my career and the community knows me and allows me to be the 'game warden,' but still 'Jeff.' That means the world to me."

The Halverson's raised two children of their own, Kristie, 21 and Ryan, 19. They were tough pregnancies and Jeff and Karen, both age 46, thought having more children of their own wasn't the thing to do. But their love of children proved too strong.

"We talked about what we wanted and why. We realized how

much we loved kids and wanted

them around," Halverson said. "We believe in family."

With the full support of Kristie and Ryan, the Halverson's began exploring foster parenting and adoption.

Kali Christensen, a Todd County child protection worker, said being a foster or adoptive parent is a tough job that not everyone feels capable or comfortable doing.

She said the role of a foster parent or adoptive parent has changed over the years.

"We ask them to be much more involved. We ask them to be part of counseling, or meet with the social service providers, or meet with the biological family. It's not just about caring for the children."

Typically, a foster parent or adoptive parent is needed when a birth parent is unable to properly care for their child. That could be the result of the parent's behavior—such as drug or alcohol addiction—or the child's behavior— actions where the parents are no longer in control of the family.

The desired goal is reunification with the biological parents and family.

"I think child protection has had the reputation over the years that we take children from their homes. That's the last thing we want to do. The focus is on keeping the family together," said Emily Steinert, Todd County social service supervisor.

Steinert notes that

efforts are made to place

children with relatives or "concurrent homes" where

foster parents will consider adopting the child if reunifi cation with the biological parents doesn't occur.

The Halverson's went through a rigid background check, orientation and assessment process before becoming foster and adoptive parents. Their home had to meet specific safety standards. There are ongoing training requirements.

The process also brought some unexpected benefits.

"After Damon's and Aleeah's parents got to know us, they knew their kids were getting a good home and allowed us to adopt the children," Halverson said.

"We also got to know both sets of grandparents and they've been very supportive. We're an even bigger family now."

Sometimes there's not a happy ending.

"The Halverson's will do concurrent work, which is difficult because you care for a child thinking it's going to be yours, but understanding that you might have to say goodbye if the child is returned to their family," said Lynn Johnston, Todd County adoption worker.

Johnston said the Halverson's have experienced the pain of having a child return to their biological family.

"That was very tough on us, but shortly after that we were blessed with Damon and Aleeah," Halverson said.

Though the Halverson's were fortunate to be able to adopt infants, there's a special need for foster or adoptive parents for children of all ages; many whose parents have backgrounds of chemical abuse, neglect, poverty and mental illness. Caring for them can be an extraordinary challenge.

Attracting new foster or adoptive parents can be a struggle.

Todd County Social Services, which has 30-60 children in placement at any given time, recruits through community education, church bulletins and newspaper inserts, but has found word-of-mouth by existing foster or adoptive parents the best method. Those interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents should contact their local social service office for more information.

Christensen, Johnston and Steinert attribute the Halverson's success to embracing the biological family, participating in all services provided and focusing on what's best for the child.

"They just do life. They accept that this is their family and continue to move on with their lives. That's made a big difference for them," Christensen said.

"We're just tickled to have Damon, Aleeah and Isaac in our lives and if we could have more, we'd take another baby," Halverson said.

"There will never be an empty nest at the Halverson's."