- Who We Are
-
What We Do
- Helping Children
- Strengthening Families
- Building Community
- Get Involved
Share
Foster families and children in care need many different types of support and resources to thrive. This usually means foster parents need to learn about and connect to several organizations, and it works best when there is a strong sense of camaraderie and collaboration. That is why PCHAS gladly partners with non-profits, ministries and providers across Texas who share our mission. Three years ago, the Families & Foster Care Coalition (The Coalition) launched in Waco, and PCHAS has been excited to participate from the beginning.
Travis Cutbirth is PCHAS’ Foster Care & Adoption Guide for families living in and around Waco, Texas. He recently visited with Andrea Zimmerman, Program Director for the Families & Foster Care Coalition. Please take a moment to read about their work and how they are transforming the foster care experience for families in the Heart of Texas.
What is the Families & Foster Care Coalition? Why did it form, and what is your mission?
The Families & Foster Care Coalition organized to address the high number of Waco area children in foster care without placement. “We are a collection of organizations connected to child welfare in every possible way. Our partners include churches, government entities, child-placing agencies and community non-profits. Our main goal is to raise awareness and increase capacity for every area of child welfare ranging from prevention services to support for adoptive families in the greater Waco community.”
How have you seen organizations work together to serve families in the Waco area?
“We’ve seen a lot of wonderful things happen since we began in 2021. Our Mental and Behavior Health Action team is an excellent example. This team works to identify needs and increase services for caregivers and youth. Waco did not have any providers offering access to medical care and mental health services in the same place. The Action Team met with Waco Family Medicine, who welcomed the feedback and shared how their current integrated care model, accessed through the Women's Health Navigator, could apply to for foster families.”
How does the coalition collaborate with agencies like PCHAS?
“Raising up more foster families in the Waco area has been an important goal from the very beginning, so we host foster care and adoption information meetings to raise awareness and help our community learn how they can help. We also connected with Fostering Hope to offer training for people who will support foster families as babysitters. Community members can get trained and then connect with a family, and we now have a list of babysitters we can use to help families and agencies in need of support.” The Coalition is great at bringing people together and offering events for those who want to learn more. PCHAS is grateful for opportunities to meet families at coalition events, and we’re grateful to be able to refer families to participate in babysitter training and other initiatives. You can always find the upcoming events on our website.
What can families do to learn more about The Coalition or get involved?
“Join us! You can partner with The Coalition to host a lunch-and-learn at your business or work with us to create a community information meeting. You can find more information and ideas on our website. The coalition is also preparing for Community-Based Care, the state’s new model for foster care. You can join us to help shape the future of foster care in our community. You can follow us on our Facebook page as well.
When agencies like PCHAS have strong partnerships with organizations like the Families and Foster Care Coalition, kids in foster care get the best support. Everyone benefits when we work together. Do you have questions about how you can get involved? Your Foster Care & Adoption Guide is here to help. Call 940-557-5511 or email to fosteradopt@pchas.org.
View All
