Post adoption services are preventative, responsive, and FAMILY-centered. We encourage families to engage with post adoption services early-on in their adoption journey. Post adoption services are not a last resort. They are not a sign of failure or that something is “wrong.” They are tools to strengthen relationships and promote long-term wellbeing. Adoptive families who use these services often report stronger family bonds and increased confidence for both parents and their children.
Adoption is a lifelong process that extends beyond legal finalization. Post adoption services play a critical role in promoting stability, child well-being, and long-term permanency outcomes. These services provide adoptive families with ongoing support, education, and resources as they navigate the evolving needs of children over time. The need for post adoption services may arise at different points throughout the adoption lifecycle. By offering timely and appropriate interventions, these services help families address challenges early and strengthen family functioning.
Every adoptive family’s experience is unique. Some may need support early on, while others seek help down the line as new developmental stages or life transitions arise. Post adoption services provide reassurance that families don’t have to navigate these moments alone. All families of children adopted through DFPS can receive post adoption services.
Shortly After Consummation
The transition into a new family can be overwhelming for everyone involved. Parents may need help with bonding, routines, sleep or understanding early behaviors related to trauma or grief.
During Developmental Transitions
As children grow, new questions and challenges may emerge:
- Toddlerhood and early childhood
- Starting school
- Adolescence and identity development
These stages can bring emotional, behavioral, or academic concerns that benefit from additional support.
Around Adoption-Related Conversations
Children may begin asking deeper questions about their adoption, birth family, culture, or identity. Guidance can help parents respond in age-appropriate, supportive ways.
During Times of Stress or Change
Life events such as moves, school changes, medical needs, or family transitions can resurface adoption-related emotions. Extra support during these times can help maintain stability.
Post adoption services are available to families at no cost after a child has been adopted from DFPS. Services are provided to help the child and family:
- Adjust to the adoption.
- Cope with any history of abuse and trauma of the child.
- Avoid permanent or long-term removal of children from the adoptive family setting.
Some of the services available include:
- Information and referral.
- Casework services and service planning.
- Support groups.
- Parent training and skill building.
- Counseling services.
- Respite care.
- Residential placement services in critical need situations.
- Crisis intervention.
Availability of services is dependent on funding and the individual child and family situation.
Post adoption services are preventative, responsive, and family-centered. They are not a sign that something is “wrong”, but rather a tool to strengthen relationships and promote long-term wellbeing. Families who engage in post adoption support often report increased confidence, stronger family bonds, and improved outcomes for both parents and children.
Note: Not all services are available through every community provider and depend on the region or county in which your family resides.
Local Assistance
The contact information for post adopt providers, liaisons, Adoption Assistance Eligibility Specialists and other resources are organized by DFPS regions. If you don't know which DFPS region you are in, you may find your region by looking up your county. A map of Texas counties and DFPS regions is also available.
Post Adoption Provider
Centers for Children and Families
3701 Andrews Highway, Midland, TX 79703
(432) 570-1084 – Main Line
(432) 570-0027 – Post-Adopt Line
Post Adoption Liaison
Micah Smith
(806) 507-4935
Adoption Assistance
Joann Moreno
(512) 460-7942
Potter, Deaf Smith, Moore, Childress, Gray, Hutchinson, Dallam, Sherman, Hansford, Ochiltree, Lipscomb, Harley, Robert, Hemphill, Oldham, Carson, Wheeler, Randall, Armstrong, Donley, Collingsworth, Parmer, Hall
Deanna Tagle
(512) 460-7937
Castro, Swisher, Briscoe, Bailey, Lamb, Hale, Floyd, Motley, Cochran, Hockley, Lubbock, Crosby, Dickens, King, Yoakum, Terry, Lynn, Garza
Post Adoption Provider
Centers for Children and Families
3701 Andrews Highway Midland, TX 79703
(432) 570-1084 – Main Line
(432) 570-0027 – Post-Adopt Line
Post Adoption Liaison
Brandi Sharer
(254) 631-8388
Adoption Assistance
Cheryl Hutchinson
(940) 864-1126
3E - Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall counties
3W - Cooke, Denton, Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant, and Wise counties
Post Adoption Provider
CK Family Services
320 Westway Place, Suite 530
Arlington, TX 76018-1000
(817) 516-9100
Post Adoption Liaison
3E - Chanel Sharp
(325) 999-5894
3E - Kimberly Francese
(945) 468-6476
3W - Lusheka Christmas-White
(817) 879-6415
Adoption Assistance
3E - If the adoptive parent last name begins A-C, J-L, S-T and U
Robin Jones
(512) 902-2555
3E - If the adoptive parent last name begins with D-F, M-O, V-X
Kelly Mounger
(512) 460-8385
3E - If the adoptive parent last name begins with G-I, P-R, Y-Z
Adie Garmon
(512) 460-8596
3W - If the adoptive parent last name begins A-G
LaCarol Gilton
(817) 255-8748 office
(682) 287-2624 cell
3W - If the adoptive parent last name begins H-O
Breanna Richmond
(940) 247-1217 office
(469) 236-0317 cell
3W - If the adoptive parent last name begins with P-Z
Gloria Arredondo
(469) 236-0317 office
(940) 247-1217 cell
Post Adoption Provider
Centers for Children and Families
3701 Andrews Highway Midland, TX 79703
(432) 570-1084 – Main Line
(432) 570-0027 – Post-Adopt Line
Post Adoption Liaison
Mary Bertelsen
(903) 284-0240
Adoption Assistance
Paula Gipson
(936) 553-1579
Jessica Proctor
(936) 204-5321
Post Adoption Provider
Centers for Children and Families
3701 Andrews Highway Midland, TX 79703
(432) 570-1084 – Main Line
(432) 570-0027 – Post-Adopt Line
Post Adoption Liaison
Ashley Goodwin
(409) 853-0036
Adoption Assistance
Jana McNeil
(936) 569-5336
Jessica Proctor
(936) 569-5429
(936) 204-5321 cell
6A - Harris County
6B - Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, Wharton
Post Adoption Provider
Arms Wide
6925 Portwest Drive, Suite 110 Houston, TX 77024
(713) 681-6991,
1-800-460-6298
Post Adoption Liaison
6A - Dalen DiLieto
(713) 394-4290
6A - Christie Fleming
(713) 394-4278
6B - Roberta Carranza
(832) 449-0509
Adoption Assistance
If the adoptive parent last name begins with A-C or G-L or W-Z
Tracy Johnson
(512) 460-7376
Jamauri Hill
(737) 203-7821
If the adoptive parent last name begins with D-F or M-R or S-V
Timiko Simonton
(512) 460-8277
Dawn Bias
(832) 386-5965
Post Adoption Provider
Centers for Children and Families
3701 Andrews Highway Midland, TX 79703
(432) 570-1084 – Main Line
(432) 570-0027 – Post-Adopt Line
Post Adoption Liaison
Coryell and south counties
Bonnie Rushing
(512) 878-7646
McLennan and north counties
Sarah Wardlow
(512) 213-5326
Adoption Assistance
If the adoptive parent last name begins with A-L
Filishia Swain
(512) 650-6873
If the adoptive parent last name begins with M-Z
Stephanie Hoover
(737) 802-5750
8A - Bexar County
8B - Atascosa, Bandera, Calhoun, Comal, DeWitt, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Jackson, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, La Salle, Lavaca, Maverick, Medina, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde, Victoria, Wilson, Zavala
Post Adoption Provider
Centers for Children and Families
3701 Andrews Highway Midland, TX 79703
(432) 570-1084 – Main Line
(432) 570-0027 – Post-Adopt Line
Post Adoption Liaison
8A - Ana Garcia
(210) 337-3513
8B - Julie Rosario
(830) 252-4871
Adoption Assistance
If the adoptive parent last name begins with A-ESC
Maria Longoria
(210) 303-8788
If the adoptive parent last name begins with ESD-LER
Melissa Flores
(210) 289-2756
If the adoptive parent last name begins with LES-ROB
Jennifer McWilliams
(512) 460-7481
If the adoptive parent last name begins with ROC-Z
Peggy Gonzales
(210) 601-8270
Post Adoption Provider
Centers for Children and Families
3701 Andrews Highway Midland, TX 79703
(432) 570-1084 – Main Line
(432) 570-0027 – Post-Adopt Line
Post Adoption Liaison
Tanya Berry
(915) 667-1470
Adoption Assistance
Katherine Dobson
(325) 249-5937
Post Adoption Provider
Centers for Children and Families
3701 Andrews Highway Midland, TX 79703
(432) 570-1084 – Main Line
(432) 570-0027 – Post-Adopt Line
Post Adoption Liaison
Tanya Berry
(915) 667-1470
Adoption Assistance
Teresa Castrejon
(915) 667-1803
Post Adoption Provider
Arms Wide
500 N. Water Street Suite 604, South Tower Corpus Christi, TX 78410
(361) 850-8200
1-800-460-6298
Post Adoption Liaison
Keisha Cox
(361) 816-4281
Adoption Assistance
Maria Torres
(956) 460-8210
Other Support and Information
The Heart Galleries of Texas is working with adoption competent community partners and post adoption service providers across Texas to provide additional supports to help adoptive families thrive and to reduce the number of adopted children returning to DFPS Conservatorship. The following array of services will be provided by these community partners and service providers:
- Mental health & therapeutic services
- Caregiver support & skill building
- Family bonding & wellness activities
- Basic & emergency assistance
- Respite
The Texas state tuition and fee waiver provides exemptions at state supported institutions of higher education to certain youth who were formerly in foster care, adopted youth, and youth in permanent managing conservatorship. Learn more.
Federal Income Tax Credit
Some adoptive families may be eligible for federal income tax credits that help offset the cost of adoption. Check with IRS or your tax advisor to see if your adoption qualifies.
If you find that you are struggling to parent your child due to behavioral or mental health needs:
- There is no shame in asking for help. Seek help for your child and yourself early. Don’t wait for things to escalate before you start accessing services and learning how your family can work together to help your adoptive child adjust and grow.
- Your first step is to contact your local post-adopt provider, listed below, or other community resources (YES Waiver Inquiry Line by County) to see whether professional intervention can help you better respond to your child’s needs and maintain your family structure.
- In very limited circumstances, your post-adopt provider can help you in seeking the assistance of DFPS to provide out-of-home placement for your child when therapeutic or behavioral needs cannot be met in the family setting, or behaviors are too dangerous to others in the home for the child to live in the home. Before post adoption services can do this, you must fully use or exhaust all other available services both through your post adoption service provider and community resources. Note: You must reside in Texas and have adopted directly from DFPS in order for your post adopt provider to explore this option with DFPS.
- Other legal options could include transferring legal custody to a relative or seeking a private adoption. According to Texas Family Code, §162.026 it is illegal to informally transfer the custody of an adopted child to a person, unless the person is a relative or stepparent of the child or an adult who has a significant long-standing relationship with the child, or the transfer of custody is a formal transfer of custody of the child through a court.
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