One more child’s life you
forever changed.
Foster Care & Adoption Information Packet
the blair family
kinsley, age 8, enjoys spending time with her Mom—whether they are cooking, watching a movie or doing “girly” things while her little brothers hang out with Dad. Kinsley spent time in foster care before being adopted by her forever family. DePelchin Children’s Center supports Kinsley and her family with post-adoption services.
Every child deserves to have a loving family—to live in a home that provides stability and opportunities to grow. Tragically, in the Greater Houston area, hundreds of children are removed from their homes each year due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Many of these children have experienced trauma and desperately need the care and support of a loving foster or adoptive family. The foster care and adoption programs at DePelchin Children’s Center
provide you with the opportunity
to make a lasting difference in the life of a child. For more than 100 years, DePelchin has been partnering with families and individuals who have answered the call to foster or adopt. We invite you to join us in caring for these children and become a part of the DePelchin family.
Foster Care
There are more than 5,000 children currently in foster care in the Greater Houston area, and this number continues to grow each year. DePelchin’s foster care program offers parents the rewarding opportunity to share their homes—and lives—with children in need of temporary care. These children are in the custody of Child Protective Services, having been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. In most cases, the ultimate goal is to reunite these children with their birth families once situations at home have stabilized. Adoption
Of the 5,000 children currently in foster care in the Greater Houston area, more than 1,700 are waiting for permanent, loving homes. As a provider of both foster care and adoption services, DePelchin is uniquely equipped to help families and individuals adopt children who are in the care of Child Protective Services. DePelchin also offers a domestic infant adoption program. Becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent with DePelchin
Foster and adoptive parents are everyday people from every walk of life. They share a genuine desire to care for children and the ability to provide a safe, nurturing home. To foster or adopt a child, prospective parents should meet the following minimum requirements: > be at least 21 years of age > be in good physical health > pass a criminal background check > be able to financially provide for a child At DePelchin, we understand that the commitment to foster or adopt comes with great rewards— and great challenges. That’s why we’re here to support our foster and adoptive families every step of the way. We offer a wide range of services to our families, including specialized training, therapeutic counseling and in-home support.
the espey family
devin, age 9, is an avid boy scout, bike rider and board game champion. He was adopted as an infant by his loving forever family. Years later, Devin became big brother to his spunky twin sisters who were adopted out of foster care with support from DePelchin Children’s Center.
the wladyko family
ian, age 7, is always smiling—whether he is at ice hockey practice or playing video games with his big sister, Sydney. Ian spent his infant years in foster care before joining his forever family through DePelchin Children’s Center. Now complete, Ian’s family could not imagine life without his joyous spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it expensive to foster or adopt? No. Foster parents receive monthly financial support to help care for each child in their home, and in many cases funds are available to help adoptive families cover costs as well. DePelchin does not charge any fees to adopt a child from foster care. Do you have to be married or own a home to foster or adopt? No. Foster or adoptive parents can be married or single, young or retired. Even if renting a house or an apartment, you are eligible to foster or adopt a child if you can provide a safe, nurturing environment with adequate space for children. What types of children need loving homes? Children of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds need loving foster and adoptive homes. The majority of the children DePelchin serves are:
> 2-17 years old > members of a sibling group > members of an ethnic minority group or > c hildren facing physical, mental or emotional challenges due to past abuse or neglect How can I handle the emotional or behavioral issues these children may have? DePelchin provides foster and adoptive families thorough and on-going training on how to best care for children with special emotional needs. We also offer families a wide range of support services through our caring team of social workers, therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists. As a foster parent, what if I grow attached to the child in my care? Bonding with a child in your care is a good thing! The love and support you show a child can make a lasting difference in his or her life. Yes, letting a child go may be difficult, but ultimately you will find comfort in knowing you forever changed the life of a child in need. If a foster child is available for adoption, DePelchin is uniquely equipped to help families through the adoption process. How long is the process of becoming a foster or adoptive parent? The length of the process will vary based on circumstances unique to fostering or adopting each child. The process typically lasts between three to five months and includes:
> attending an informational orientation > completing an application > attending a brief training program > participating in a home study
if you have any questions, please contact us by phone or email. Main Campus at Memorial Drive
denita logan | 713.802.7744 | DLogan@depelchin.org Baytown Location:
lucresia montez | 281.427.1300 | LMontez@depelchin.org Stafford (Fort Bend County) Location:
connie avilla | 832.287.3771 | CAvilla@depelchin.org The Woodlands (Montgomery County) Location:
aida black | 713.802.7633 | ABlack@depelchin.org you may also call our main number at 713.802.6200 or email us at fostercare@depelchin.org or adopt@depelchin.org.
Main Campus
I-610 (NORTH LOOP)
I-45
DURHAM DR
0
29
If you are using a GPS to look up directions to our main campus, the best address to use is 100 Sandman Street.
SHEPHERD DR
US
4950 Memorial Drive Houston, Texas 77007
I-10
FEAGAN
SANDMAN
WESTCOTT ST
MEMORIAL DR
MEMORIAL DR ALLEN PKWY KIRBY DR
I-610 (WEST LOOP)
WASHINGTON AVE
directions to main campus
Directions to Other DePelchin Locations
From North Houston
Baytown
Take 45 or 59 SOUTH to I-10 WEST. Take the Shepherd/Durham exit. Turn LEFT on Durham. Continue past Washington Avenue. Turn RIGHT on Feagan (the first light after Washington). Turn LEFT on Sandman and go down
1610 james bowie drive, suite a-111 baytown, texas 77520 Our Baytown location is at the corner of North Alexander and James Bowie Drive at 1610 James Bowie Drive, Suite A-111.
three blocks. Our parking lot is on the left. Stafford (Ft. Bend County) From Southwest Houston
Take 59 NORTH. Then take 610 NORTH to the Woodway/Memorial Exit. Exit and turn RIGHT on Woodway. Woodway will merge with Memorial. Stay on Memorial until you see the Shepherd exit. Exit Shepherd (Exit is on the Right) and turn LEFT on Shepherd. Turn LEFT on Feagan (the first light after Memorial). Turn LEFT on Sandman and go down three blocks. Our parking lot is on the left. From Southeast Houston
Take 45 NORTH. Take the Allen Parkway Exit (on the left). Turn RIGHT on Shepherd. Turn LEFT on Feagan (the first light after Memorial). Turn LEFT on Sandman and go down three blocks. Our parking lot is on the left. From West Houston
Head EAST on I-10. Take the Shepherd/ Durham exit. Turn RIGHT on Durham. Continue past Washington Avenue. Turn RIGHT on Feagan (the first signal after Washington) Turn LEFT on Sandman and go down three blocks. Our parking lot is on the left. From Downtown Houston
Take Prairie (which turns into Memorial) or Allen Parkway WEST to Shepherd. Turn RIGHT on Shepherd. Turn LEFT on Feagan (the first light after Memorial) Turn LEFT on Sandman and go down three blocks. Our parking lot is on the left.
10435 greenbough drive, suite 101 stafford, texas 77477 Our Stafford/Fort Bend County location is near Murphy Road and Highway 90 at 10435 Greenbough, next to the United Way Service Building. From US 59 Exit West Bellfort/Wilcrest and turn SOUTH on Murphy Road to Stafford Centre Drive. Turn LEFT on Stafford Centre Drive to Briarside. Turn RIGHT on Briarside to Greenbough, then LEFT on Greenbough. Our parking lot is on the right. The Woodlands (Montgomery County)
1600 lake front circle the woodlands, texas 77380 Our Woodlands/Montgomery County location is in the Montgomery County United Way Service Building. From I-45, take exit 77, Research Forest Drive and U-turn to head South on the feeder road. (Those coming from the North will not need to U-turn.) Turn RIGHT on Lake Front Circle Drive which is just past Luby’s. Go through two stop signs. Turn RIGHT into the second driveway after Six Pines Rd. We share a parking lot with Montgomery County Courthouse. Once you are in the parking lot, the United Way building will be straight back and on the left. Our office is on the second floor.
If you are interested in making a difference in the life of a child and joining the DePelchin family, we invite you to attend an informational orientation at our main campus or at one of our satellite locations. You must attend an orientation to begin the process of fostering or adopting a child. Due to the similar nature of the foster care and adoption application process, these orientations are combined. Registration is not required to attend. Special orientations for churches, organizations or other groups are also available. Contact us for more details. please note: there are no childcare services provided during orientation.
2012 Orientation Schedule Foster care and adoption orientations are held at our main Houston campus and at several of our satellite locations throughout the year. If the current schedule does not meet your needs, contact us to see how we can help.
Main Campus (Houston)
Stafford (Fort Bend County)
4950 Memorial Drive
10435 Greenbough Drive, Suite 101
DATE
TIME
DATE
TIME
4/23 5/7 5/14 5/21 6/4 6/11 6/18 6/25 7/2 7/9 7/16 7/23 8/6 8/13 8/20 8/27
6 PM 10 AM 6 PM 10 AM 10 AM 6 PM 10 AM 6 PM 10 AM 6 PM 10 AM 6 PM 6 PM 10 AM 6 PM 6 PM
4/24 5/22 6/26 7/24 8/28
10 AM 10 AM 10 AM 10 AM 10 AM
Pearland
2335 North Texas Street
The Woodlands (Montgomery County)
1600 Lake Front Circle DATE
TIME
4/24 5/22 6/26 7/24 8/28
6 PM 6 PM 6 PM 6 PM 6 PM
Baytown
DATE
TIME
5/15 6/19 7/17 8/21
10 AM 10 AM 10 AM 10 AM
Clear Lake
1300-A Bay Area Blvd
5309 Decker Drive DATE 5/2 6/6 7/11 8/1
TIME 10 AM 10 AM 10 AM 10 AM
Galena Park
DATE
TIME
5/15 6/19 7/17 8/21
10 AM 10 AM 10 AM 10 AM
1302 Keene St. DATE
TIME
5/9 6/13 7/18
6 PM 6 PM 6 PM
all of the families featured in this packet are depelchin families.
They have all experienced the joy of adding to their family through foster care or adoption. They have also all experienced the joy of making a difference in the life of a child.
front cover:
jacobi, age 6, is always up for an adventure and loves racing his Dad to the park on his bike. Jacobi was in foster care before being adopted by his forever family at age 2. His big sister Lauren, age 12, was also adopted out of foster care a few years earlier. DePelchin Children’s Center provided the support to make this beautiful family complete. back cover:
the landry siblings, ages 7-13, are an energetic bunch with enough players to start a basketball team. With four boys and one girl, the Landry children are always on the go, and their adoptive parents could not be happier about it. DePelchin Children’s Center helps keep this family thriving with post-adoption services.
One more child’s life you
forever changed.
4950 memorial drive, houston texas 77007 713.802.6200 | www.depelchin.org