Preparing Families to Change Lives

Parents have a lot to consider when they are thinking about fostering or adopting. It’s not a decision anyone should take lightly, and families should be able to trust the agency they choose. PCHAS agrees, which is why we have Home Development staff dedicated to helping families complete the verification process.

Brittanie Dingrando is the Home Development Coordinator for PCHAS in Itasca. She helps foster families moving to The Foster Care Village in Itasca, Texas, and she also supports families who want to foster or adopt in areas like Hillsboro, Waco, Cleburne, Burleson and Corsicana. Brittanie works with families from the application stage until they welcome children into their homes. Learn more about Brittanie and hear her advice for families considering fostering or adopting.

What do you enjoy about being a Home Developer?

One of the reasons I chose to work at PCHAS was because we advocate for the children and families. In my role, I get to help prepare families to be the safe, nurturing parents that children in foster care need. They do a great job working with birth parents and supporting reunification for the children placed in their home, and I love hearing about these connections. I enjoy getting to know our families, and, in a small way, I get to be a support for biological families through them.

What is your role with PCHAS families?

I meet families during the orientation class and help them complete every step in the process until they are verified for foster care and adoption. Also, I am a part of the intake team, so I see all the children referred for placement, help match them with families and see the families greet them and invite them into their homes. As a Home Developer, I lead most of the training classes, visit their homes for inspections and assist families with the paperwork. I truly feel I get to know our foster families during this process, and our relationship helps the intake team place the right children into their homes. There is trust built both ways, and families know we have their best interest in mind when we are calling them about kids.

How do you work with other PCHAS staff members?

I believe we have the best team. From the program director to the admin staff at The Foster Care Village, everyone cares about our families and children. I specifically like working with our case managers. They are the ones getting to build authentic relationships with our parents and children. I love being at PCHAS because of who I get to work with.

What is something a family considering fostering or adopting should know?

You should research Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). It is the foundation of everything we do. We want our families to be trauma-informed caregivers so they can best serve the children. We recommend that families research agencies and choose one that has similar values to their family and seems like the right fit for them. Many families tell us they chose PCHAS after connecting with our staff, but we want them to make sure we are the right fit for them. Foster and adoptive families need to know they can trust their agency and have the support they need to do well.

PCHAS is committed to helping families provide the safe, nurturing care kids in foster care need. Brittanie and our Home Developers in Wichita Falls, Irving and Cypress will make sure you’re ready. Connect With Us at (281) 324-0544 or fosteradopt@pchas.org or Join An Online Info Session to learn more.