Lois Raap is a veteran foster and adoptive parent living in Santa Clara County, California. The most recent placement in the Raap home is that of a third teen-age daughter. She had been in many placements before and was so challenging the social worker was threatening to place her in a group home if things did not work out with the Raaps. We are happy to report they are, in fact, working out. When asked to take a special needs placement or a teen placement, Lois always meets the youth before accepting the placement. Her rock-solid advice to all new and prospective foster parents is: “It is important to us to make sure that the youth will fit into the family we already have, and that his/her cultural needs will be met in our home. We also talk about school, life goals and activities in which our family is involved. It is essential for the well-being of our family and to help our family avoid allegations.”