Foster parents honored

The couple has also adopted two children.
NEWTON FALLS -- What makes Harlan and Patricia Nolan of Leavittsburg special among Trumbull County foster parents is the way they try to help families whose children are in their care.
For example, when the couple recently helped find adoptive homes for four children, they allowed daily visits in their home with one of the children and his prospective adoptive mother. The couple also transported two other children on a weekly basis to visits with their adoptive parents in Sandusky.
Another foster child in their care needed to be transported along with his birth father to doctor appointments and to the father's home for supervised visits, as well as other places the father needed to go since he did not have transportation.
"We still help him out," Patricia Nolan said Monday of the father, who had lost his license because of drinking problems. He is due to get his driver's license back next year. "I still watch the baby when I can," she said.
Why they do it
"We just enjoy having the kids," she said, noting that they now serve as foster parents to toddlers 10 and 11 months old. "We're going to keeping doing it as long as we can."
She added that one of the greatest joys of foster parenting is getting back in touch with kids who have moved on.
The Nolans, who have adopted two children, were selected as Foster Care Program foster parents of the year for the Trumbull County Children Services Board. On Monday night, the Nolans were recognized at a banquet held at Roby Lee's Banquet Hall.
Since 1989, the Nolans have cared for 34 foster children. They were selected in a vote of foster parents across the agency.
Fourteen other families were also honored for their five to 15 years of service. For more information on foster care, call the CSB at (330) 372-2010.