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Melynn did not stumble into the field of child welfare — she stepped in with purpose at age 21 and never looked back. In fact, she was so committed to the mission that she worked for Child Protective Services for 27 years before retiring. But retirement did not slow her down. She went to work for the first Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) as Texas began rolling out the Community-Based Care Model. When that contract ended 11 years ago, she found her home at Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS).
Altogether, Melynn has dedicated 40 years of her life to ensuring children are safe and well cared for. Her commitment goes beyond a career — she has also provided kinship care for her two great-nieces for a year, and eight years ago, she and her family adopted her youngest daughter. She doesn’t just know a lot about the foster care and adoption journey — she has lived it, and is living it, every day.
As Program Director, Melynn leads her team in Wichita Falls, as well as those in the satellite office in Graham, across every area of their work — home development, case management, and the day-to-day operations that keep things running. That is a wide range of responsibilities, so we asked her how she keeps her team focused and unified. "I have worked in every field myself and know the work it takes. I don't ask my staff to do anything that I am not willing to do myself."
That’s not just lip-service. Anyone who works with Melynn sees that she’s often one of the first to step-in to serve when a need arises. She leads her team with compassion and keeps everyone focused on the goal: the children and families they serve. She also pushes her staff to work together — because she knows that teamwork makes the difference.
At PCHAS, we believe foster care's ultimate goal is reuniting children with their families; restoring the family once it’s safe to do so. That belief lives at the center of how Melynn's team works every case.
"Children deserve to be with their families if they can. I have worked with [birth] families, and they are not bad people — they are people who have made bad choices."
Melynn sees the full picture. Many of the birth families she worked with at CPS (today her program works with their children through PCHAS) grew up in difficult environments. Birth parents often just need the right support to make their home safe for their kids. When they do the hard work to get there, Melynn believes they deserve to have their children back. That perspective shapes everything — the way her team talks to families, the way they build plans, and the way they cheer for every reunification.
When we asked Melynn if she would recommend a social work degree to someone who wants to help children, her answer was quick: "Yes! In fact, I have a daughter who is now a social worker. If you want to help others, social work is the field where you can do this."
That says it all. Social work is not just a career path for Melynn — it is a family legacy.
We are proud to celebrate Melynn during National Social Work Month. She is a reminder of what happens when experience, heart, and dedication show up in the same person — children get the care they need, families get a fighting chance, and a whole team grows stronger because of her leadership.
Are you interested in helping Texas kids in foster care? Reach out to our team — we would love to talk with you!
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