ADOPTION PERMANENCY DIVISION

The purpose of this program is to strengthen and support Mississippi adoptive and foster families and to insure 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.  

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The Mission of Adoption Permanency Division is to provide adoptive families with 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:

• Case Management – assessment to determine your family’s needs & support in meeting those needs

• Crisis Stabilization – in times of crisis with your adoptive child (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

• Information & Referral – to provide information and referrals to adoption competent services as well as follow-up services

• Advocacy – to advocate for you and your adopted child

• Respite Services – planned break for resource/adoptive parents who are parenting children who have special needs and behavioral challenges

• Short-term Groups – for training and information for those individuals waiting to adopt

• Therapy - to support children and families in long-term healing for those are waiting to adopt (Jackson Location or through Telehealth)

• International adoption - now providing additional services to include families who have adopted through international adoption 

Crisis, Referrals, Advocacy, or Support

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For more information please contact one of the following closest to your area:

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Jackson 

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Valerie McClellan, LCSW-S

Division Director of Adoption Permanency Division

860 E. River Place, Suite 104

Jackson, Mississippi 39202

Office:  601.354.0983, Ext. 240

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Teresa Williams

Senior Permanency Specialist

860 E. River Place, Suite 104

Jackson, Mississippi 39202

Office:  601.354.0983, Ext. 243

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Gulfport 

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Myia Lane

Senior Permanency Specialist

11975 Seaway Road, Suite B300

Gulfport, Mississippi 39503

Office:  228.896.8886

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Tupelo 

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Marlon Thomas

Senior Permanency Specialist

109 Hancock Street

Tupelo, Mississippi 38801

Office:  662.680.9191

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Respite Services

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For more information about receiving respite services or becoming a respite provider please click HERE and contact one of the following:

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Molly Hendren

Respite Coordinator/Permanency Specialist (MS West)

​860 E. River Place, Suite 104

Jackson, Mississippi 39202

Office:  601.354.0983, Ext. 232

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Joy Pickering

Respite Coordinator/Permanency Specialist (MS East)

101 North 35th Avenue

Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39401

Office:  601.264.8821

joypickering@southern

christianservices.org