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Montville's Iannettas have been parents to 13 at-risk foster children

BY FELICIA LOWENSTEIN NIVEN

SPECIAL TO NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Frank Iannetta makes a difference in children's lives. And it's not just because he's a family physician with a unique community-focused approach at Changebridge Medical Associates in Montville. It's also because he's a foster parent.

Over the past 11 years, Frank and his wife, Kristine, have been parents to 13 at-risk foster children. And that doesn't count the numerous short-term "emergency respite" placements through DYFS that they've handled.

"We have a daughter and son by birth," he said, "and we started fostering when Jessica and Antonio were just 5 and 4 years old, respectively."

Now, 11 years later, Jessica and Antonio have four additional siblings whom the Iannettas adopted through the foster care program: Samuel, 11, Giuseppe, 10, Crystal, 9, and William, 8. All the children have special needs or learning disabilities and come from homes where drug use was prevalent. William was born 10 weeks premature and is autistic. Giuseppe has behavioral issues and is attending a special school.

"These children need our help," said Dr. Iannetta. "They are wonderful kids who started out with the odds stacked against them, with parents who could not care for them. We can make a difference."

Being a physician has allowed Dr. Iannetta to help the foster care program in ways that others could not. For example, he and his wife were called in an emergency situation to provide a home for an infant with a cleft palate. The child needed to be under a physician's care while recovering from surgery. It was only natural for them to volunteer.

"[Medical] emergencies are always stressful," he said. "I know that from my own experience with my children." In fact, he jokes that the ER staff at St. Clare's Hospital, where he practices, knows his wife better than they know him. "She's there with the kids so often!"

Dr. Iannetta's love of children is clearly part of his family practice at Changebridge Medical Associates. He adores his younger patients and brings his own experience as a parent to each and every case. His wife has also always had a passion for children. In fact, now that their kids are in school, she works part time at the Little Blessings Preschool in Parsippany.

Dr. Iannetta reflects, "We always wanted a large family. But Kristine had some medical problems after the birth of our son. So we looked into fostering."
"I've always felt you're helping to give them a start," he continued. "We have mostly taken newborns and very small children, in part because we had younger children of our own. Even if they don't stay with us, we've helped them out in the very beginning of their lives. It has, without a doubt, been the best thing we have ever done."

That doesn't mean that fostering is without its challenges. The Iannettas sometimes have to carefully navigate the appropriate relationships between the biological and foster parents and the child.

"We always put the interests of the child first," he said. "That helps lead the way in most instances."

Putting the child first includes making time in a busy physician's schedule for the important things. Toward that end, you will see Dr. Iannetta at local Boy Scout events and sporting events.

"I'm the one who takes the scouts camping," he says proudly. "I also enjoy watching my kids' soccer and basketball games. My son just started track and field and roller hockey this year, so I'm there, too."

In a professional capacity, he attends Parsippany High School football games with his children, not only to root for the team but also to provide on-site medical care. He's the official sports physician for the high school's athletic department and also does physicals for the teams.

Being in the community and taking care of the community is just what I always planned on," he said. "Growing up, my own family doctor had a house office three blocks away. He lived in the town. You'd see him at the local Foodtown. That was my role model."

Fostering is a natural extension of "giving back" for Iannetta.

"The joy of seeing the children develop and grow is the reward and what gives us our strength," he acknowledges. "Every Christmas, the Morris County Foster Parents Association has a party. Just to see the parents with all these children running around, that's meaningful."

Dr. Iannetta feels fortunate to have been able to adopt four of his foster children. When Governor Corzine came into office, he initiated guidelines that prevented families from having more than six foster children under the age of 18. Though the Iannettas may not adopt others at this time, they remain on the list for short-term placements and emergency respite care.

"I always say, think globally, act locally. Sure, celebrities like Angelina Jolie go across the world to adopt children, but there are plenty of children who need our help right here in the United States. I just think that it's important that we all do our part to help others. Fostering and being part of the community are ways I can help."