ADOPTION PERMANENCY DIVISION
The purpose of this program is to strengthen and support Mississippi's adoptive and foster families
to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of the children and youth placed in their care. No adoption from foster care can exist without a history of grief or abuse. If the child's history of trauma and associated behaviors becomes unmanageable, our post-adoption team is here to help.
The Mission of Adoption Permanency Division is to provide adoptive families with support, information and skills so that the child or children remain in the home without hospitalization or an adoption disruption.
Adoption Permanency Division is here to support you with:
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Case Management – assessment to determine your family’s needs & support in meeting those needs
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Crisis Stabilization – in times of crisis with your adoptive child (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
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Information & Referral – to provide information and referrals to adoption competent services as well as follow-up services
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Advocacy – to advocate for you and your adopted child
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Respite Services – planned break for resource/adoptive parents who are parenting children who have special needs and behavioral challenges. (It isn’t just for children with special needs and behavioral challenges.)
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Short-term Groups – for training and information for those individuals waiting to adopt
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Therapy- to support children and families in long-term healing for those who have been adopted or are in the adoption process. (Jackson location or throughout MS by Telehealth)
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International adoption - now providing additional services to include families who have adopted through international adoption
Crisis, Referrals, Advocacy, or Support
For more information please contact one of the following closest to your area:
Jackson
Valerie McClellan, LCSW-S, ACSW
Director of Adoption Permanency Division
4735 Old Canton Road, Suite 111
Jackson, Mississippi 39211
Office: 601.354.0983, Ext. 240
valerie@southernchristianservices.org
Teresa Williams, LSW
Senior Permanency Specialist
4735 Old Canton Road, Suite 111
Jackson, Mississippi 39211
Office: 601.354.0983, Ext. 243
teresa@southernchristianservices.org
Gulfport
Bianca Wills, B.A.
Permanency Specialist
11975 Seaway Road, Suite B300
Gulfport, Mississippi 39503
Office: 228.896.1128
bianca@southernchristianservices.org
Tupelo
Marlon Thomas, BS
Senior Permanency Specialist
2610 Traceland Dr. Suite B
Tupelo, Mississippi 38801
Office: 662.680.9191
marlon@southernchristianservices.org
Respite Services
For more information about receiving respite services click HERE!
For more information about being a respite provider please click HERE!
Contact the following for Respite Services:
Molly Hendren, B.S.W.
Respite Coordinator (MS West)
4735 Old Canton Road, Suite 111
Jackson, Mississippi 39211
Office: 601.354.0983, Ext. 232
molly@southernchristianservices.org
Lauren Allen, B.S.W.
Respite Coordinator (MS East)
4735 Old Canton Road, Suite 111
Jackson, Mississippi 39211
Office: 601.354.0983 Ext. 242
lauren@southernchristianservices.org
TESTIMONIAL
"My husband Quincy is such a great father. Our children are very important to us. After tirelessly working 12 hour shifts each day, he still makes time each day to spend with our children. He is not only their hero but mine too! Adoption has definitely completed our family. We are so blessed to be the parents of two beautiful children."
Mrs. Virginia Pitts tribute to her hero husband, Quincy.