Permanency Support
Post Adoption and Post Permanency
At Arms Wide, we know that opening your heart and home to a child or children in need can come with unique challenges. That is why our Greater Houston and South Texas teams embrace all adoptive families with warmth and compassion, guiding them through those challenges. Arms Wide is here to help adoptive parents through the life-long process of supporting a child after adoption or through Permanent Managing Conservatorship (PMC).
Arms Wide is a contracted provider of post adoption and post permanency services for families who have either adopted a child(ren) or were named as having “Permanent Managing Conservatorship” of a child(ren) who was in the custody of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Arms Wide recognizes that parenting a child with emotional scars from abuse or neglect can be very demanding. Extraordinary amounts of love, nurturing and commitment are sometimes needed before the child can heal. As issues of past mistreatment arise, sometimes years after the Judge has issued the final order of adoption or Permanent Managing Conservatorship, it can place strains on parent-child and/or family relationships. When this occurs, counseling and other support services are often needed to help the family remain together. Permanency services through Post Adoption and Post Permanency Programs can be important in helping children succeed.
Arms Wide is here to help you find the resources you need to help your family thrive after adoption or permanent guardianship. Give us a call to speak to a staff member today: 713.681.6991
Arms Wide is here to help you through the life-long process of supporting a child after placement.
Families living in the following areas and counties are eligible for no-fee adoption information and post adoption or post permanency support services through Arms Wide:
GREATER HOUSTON AREA:
Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, or Wharton County
SOUTH TEXAS AREA:
Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Cameron, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Willacy, or Zapata County
As a leader in post adoption and post permanency services, Arms Wide understands the completion of the court process is not the end of the road for families. To be successful, families who adopted or were granted PMC of a child(ren) from DFPS are eligible to receive ongoing support, guidance, and resources until the youngest adopted/PMC child turns 18 years old. All services are provided without cost to the adoptive or PMC family. Some services and supports may be limited, as delivery of services is dependent upon the availability of state contract funding. Regardless, our experienced adoption staff work tirelessly to locate community resources to support our children and families.
Arms Wide contracts with DFPS, utilizing local subcontractors along with Arms Wide post adoption / post permanency case management staff, to offer the following services to families:
- Casework and personalized permanency planning
- Parent education
- Support groups
- Counseling
- Respite care
- Day treatment
- Information and referral
- 24-hour crisis intervention
- Residential treatment services (Post Adoption Only)
Post Adoption Services
Houston Area Post Adoption Contact Information:
Sandy Carter
Donna Waller, LMSW
Patricia Gorham
Indira Garcia
Rio Grande Valley Area
If you think Arms Wide may be able to support your family through our Post Adoption Program, please contact us today!
Post Permanency Services
Houston Area Post Permanency Contact Information:
Sandy Carter
Sharon D. Carter
South Texas Area Post Permanency Contact Information:
Donna Waller, LMSW
Delia S. Lopez
If you think Arms Wide may be able to support your family through our Post Permanency Program, please contact us today!
At Arms Wide, our compassionate, highly-trained staff are prepared to guide you toward the resources most needed for your family. To find out more about how Arms Wide’s Post Adoption and Post Permanency Programs can support your family, please contact us at our Houston office at 713-681-6991 or at our South Texas office at 361-850-8200. You can also reach Arms Wide toll-free at 1-800-460-6298.
Case Management Services
All families receiving permanency services through Arms Wide will have an individual caseworker.
Permanency Support FAQs
Questions about permanency? Our staff is here to help. Check out this list of Frequently Asked Questions and answers, but don’t hesitate to Contact Us if you need to know more.
Referrals
Referral services are available to any adoptive or PMC family, even those who do not qualify for assistance under the DFPS funded services.
Respite Care
At Arms Wide, our experienced staff recognize that parenting can be demanding. Arms Wide’s respite care is designed to provide adoptive or PMC families with relief from the stress of parenting children and youth with special needs.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment is offered when a child exhibits dangerous acting out behaviors which are so intense and longstanding they cannot be managed at home.
Therapeutic Services
Therapeutic services are available to all family members impacted by adoption and permanency as funding from DFPS is available.
Support Groups
Arms Wide offers a variety of support groups – both for children and families – through its Post Adoption and Post Permanency Programs.
Resources
We have compiled a list of online resources helpful to both adoptive and foster families looking for information.
