ADOPTION PERMANENCY DIVISION

Due to the overwhelming response to webinar parenting education classes, we have extended offering parenting classes to perspective and/or adoptive parents. If you are a perspective and/or adoptive caregiver of children from birth to 8 years old, you do not want to miss out on free parenting education webinar classes held every Monday from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM starting August 24 through October 5. The webinar will be teaching (7) one-hour sessions to include: understanding children's behaviors, young children's exposure to violence, anger management for parents, understanding and helping angry children, children and electronic media, discipline, and parenting style, and discipline for positive behaviors. Click here for more information

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.

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

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

Jackson

Valerie McClellan, LCSW-S, ACSW

Division Director of Adoption Permanency Division

860 E. River Place, Suite 104

Jackson, Mississippi 39202

Office: 601.354.0983, Ext. 240

Teresa Williams, LSW

Senior Permanency Specialist

860 E. River Place, Suite 104

Jackson, Mississippi 39202

Office: 601.354.0983, Ext. 243

Gulfport

Myia Lane, MSW

Senior Permanency Specialist

11975 Seaway Road, Suite B300

Gulfport, Mississippi 39503

Office: 228.896.8886

Tupelo

Marlon Thomas, BS

Senior Permanency Specialist

109 Hancock Street

Tupelo, Mississippi 38801

Office: 662.680.9191

Respite Services

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

Molly Hendren, BSW

Respite Coordinator/Permanency Specialist (MS West)

860 E. River Place, Suite 104

Jackson, Mississippi 39202

Office: 601.354.0983, Ext. 232

Joy Pickering, BS

Respite Coordinator/Permanency Specialist (MS East)

101 North 35th Avenue

Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39401

Office: 601.264.8821

joypickering@southern

christianservices.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.