Going the Extra Mile

Foster care social workers are known for going the extra mile to make a difference. But five case workers at Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services have gone more than the extra mile. When they leave work at the end of the day, they foster children in their own homes. 

There are 11 case workers at the Wichita Falls office of Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services. In the past year, five of them have been foster parents, and three have actually adopted their foster children. (The children were clients of other agencies to avoid a conflict of interest.) 

Melynn Conway is director of the foster care and adoption program. She also has a license to foster children in her home, and about 18 months ago she took in a baby girl. Over the summer, the baby’s birth mother made an adoption plan and Conway, who has three grown children, became a mother again.  

Kendra King works as a case manager. She and her husband have two teenagers, and became licensed foster parents to make a home for a cousin’s baby. This kinship placement led to the Kings adopting the baby, Rose, last June.  

Winell Fry, home development supervisor, is another foster parent on the staff. When she and her husband started caring for a baby girl, Wriley, she says, “We felt to be open to fostering we had to open our hearts not only to the children, but to the parents as well.  We prayed that God would give Wriley and her biological family the best outcome.” Fry admits that the process was a bit challenging but they would do it all over again. “Our faith, family and friends helped us through the tough times and continue to support us after her adoption. We couldn’t be happier.” 

While these staff members have personal experience with adoption, all the staff at PCHAS can explain the licensing process and the variety of choices in fostering and adopting. These include making a home for an infant, for children of a relative or for older children the state has removed from their parents. 

In honor of National Adoption Month, PCHAS is sharing stories of adoption. PCHAS is proud to provide Christ-centered foster care and adoption services. Learn more about fostering-to-adopt.