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PCHAS Couple Named Texas Foster Parents of the Year

Sep 20, 2018 - In the News

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Texas Foster Parents of the Year Carol and Larry Green (center) pictured with PCHAS case manager Kendra King (left) and PCHAS President and CEO David Thompson.

It’s no surprise, once you get to know them, that Carol and Larry Green are foster parents. What is surprising is that the Wichita Falls couple have cared for more than 70 children in their home, and continue to care for children in need today. Though they have exceeded the age when most consider caring for children full-time (that Carol is 68 and Larry is 80), the Greens continue to feel called to make a difference and maintain their licensing to foster through PCHAS. Because of their dedication and unending love for the children that come into their home, the Greens have been named Foster Parents of the Year in Texas.


The Greens were honored at the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards’ (TCCWB) award ceremony on Friday in Austin. The TCCWB selected the Greens for this year’s honor because of their “amazing ability to parent the children in care with love and sincere interest in their well-being,” according to Council President Tim Allen.

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                                             The Greens receiving the Texas Foster Parents of the Year Award 
                                             from the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards.


When Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services (PCHAS) licensed the Greens to foster children, the couple planned to look after a few children now and then. They soon saw how important it is to keep siblings together, and made it a habit to house as many as five or six children at a time. “We continue because there is such a need; we never dreamed of how much,” Carol says. “It is rewarding to see some of the differences that have been made, especially with parents who have been reunited with their children.”


Most of the children in the Green home affectionately refer to them as “Granny” and “Grandad.” Currently, the Greens are looking after five children; the youngest is only 17 months old.


“The Greens do an amazing job of developing relationships with the biological parents,” said PCHAS case manager Kendra King. “They do everything they can to provide every approved opportunity for parents to see their children.” Most recently, Carol and Larry have helped the great-grandfather of one of the children in their home, who is too elderly to care for the child or to drive. The Greens arranged visits so he could see his great-grandson.


The Greens also do their best to get to know the interests of each child in their home so they can participate in extracurricular activities. They have signed children up for activities like baseball, cheerleading, gymnastics and football so they can have the same experiences as other children their age. They also throw birthday parties and make sure the children attend parties they are invited too.


Larry and Carol remain active in their community through their church, and they attend monthly meetings with the local foster parent association. In addition, they provide respite care for other foster families in the area when they are able to do so.


This is the second time in three years that a PCHAS family has received this award. PCHAS President David Thompson comments, “Our mission is to respond to the biblical call to look after orphans in distress. Larry and Carol exemplify what this looks like. They are a joy to work with.” 


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