1. Buckner Foster Care and Adoption Hope Shines Here ®

2. About Buckner Buckner International is a global, faith-based organization that transforms the lives of vulnerable children, enriches the lives of senior adults and builds strong families through Christ-centered values. Our core values: Christ-like, Servant spirit, Passion-driven

3. Buckner: A Legacy of Caring “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from becoming polluted by the world.” –James 1:27 Buckner was founded in 1879 by R.C. “Father” Buckner in Dallas, Texas.

4. Scope of Buckner PREVENTION AND PRESERVATION FAMILY HOPE CENTERS FAMILY PATHWAYS FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION PERMANENCY SENIOR LIVING SENIOR LIVING

5. What are the Needs in Texas? 17,151 children were removed from their home during a 12-month period. 22.9% of child abuse investigations were confirmed during a 12-month period. 31,197 children (ages 0-20) are in substitute care placements. 6,888 Texas children are waiting to be adopted. SOURCE: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services NOTE: See local handouts.

7. Why Buckner? Buckner finds families for children. We are: motivated by our faith. a partner. an agency. experienced. professionals. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” -Micah 6:8

8. Buckner Foster Care and Adoption Locations AMARILLO LUBBOCK BEAUMONT CONROE DALLAS / FORT WORTH LONGVIEW / TYLER LUFKIN MIDLAND RIO GRANDE VALLEY

9. Number of Children Served through Buckner Programs 900- 800- 700- 600- 500- 400- 300- 200- 100- 0- 802 839 20142015 100- 75- 50- 25- 0- 84 89 20142015 15- 10- 5- 0- 7 12 20142015 10- 5- 0- 7 5 20142015 Foster CareFoster-to-AdoptWaiting Texas Children Domestic Infant Adoption Buckner served 945 children in 2015.

10. Buckner Programs FOSTER CARE FOSTER- TO- ADOPT WAITING TEXAS CHILDREN KINSHIP CARE DOMESTIC INFANT ADOPTION “God sets the lonely in families.” –Psalm 68:6

11. Buckner Foster Care “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” –Isaiah 1:17

12. Why are Children in Foster Care? SOURCE: Texas Department of Children and Family Services

13. Types of Foster Care Homes Basic Care Therapeutic Care Respite Care Substitute Care

14. Buckner Foster-to-Adopt Buckner is a licensed foster care provider and serves as an adoption agency should the child in your foster home become available for adoption. “And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” –Matthew 18:5

15. Buckner Kinship Care Buckner connects kinship families to resources and monthly financial support In 2015, 37% of children in Texas care were placed in kinship homes “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling.” –Psalm 68:5

16. Waiting Texas Children 6,888 children in Texas Parental rights have been terminated and eligible for adoption Older children are Texas’ most vulnerable population “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” –1 Peter 4:10-11 NOTE: See handout for local statistics. SOURCE: Texas Department of Children and Family Services

17. Waiting Texas Children SOURCE: Texas Department of Children and Family Services

18. Waiting Texas Children SOURCE: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services NOTE: Children may be duplicated across categories because some may have more than one disabling condition.

19. Domestic Infant Adoption Ministry to birth parents Fee schedule Open adoption “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.” –1 Samuel 1:27

20. How Do We Choose? Wait? Risk? Cost? Motivation? “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11

21. How Long Will We Wait? FIRST FACTOR: Program type. “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” –Isaiah 40:31 FOSTER CARE WAITING TEXAS CHILDREN FOSTER-TO-ADOPT DOMESTIC INFANT ADOPTION

22. How Long Will We Wait? SECOND FACTOR: Child profile. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” –Proverbs 3:5-6 BROADLY DEFINED NARROWLY DEFINED

23. How Much Does this Cost? “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:19 FOSTER CARE FOSTER-TO-ADOPT WAITING TEXAS CHILDREN DOMESTIC INFANT ADOPTION $ $ $$ $$$$$

24. What is Your Motivation? Risk? Unknown? Expectations? Knowledge? How are you gifted? Faith?

25. We’re here To support you while you wait.

26. Support FOSTER & KINSHIP CARE Reimbursement Clothing Assistance Holiday Assistance Home Visits Respite Care ADOPTION Tax Credit Adoption Subsidy Post-Adopt Support ALL BUCKNER FAMILIES Counseling Education and Training Annual Family Retreat

27. Basic Requirements | Part 1 of 2 Applicants must have an interest in working with the type of children Buckner serves – children of all ages and ethnicities, with trauma histories involving abuse and neglect, as well as separation from their family of origin. Applicants must be heterosexual couples or single adults who meet the following requirements:

28. Basic Requirements | Part 2 of 2 Additional requirements for all: Reliable transportation Annual income sufficient to care for additional children Ability to meet Residential Child Care Licensing standards. High school diploma, General Education Development (GED) or demonstration of basic skills. *Must be 21 years old to provide foster care, 25 years old to adopt. **Single applicants cannot cohabit with another adult unless other such adult is a biological relative. ***Married individuals with more than two marriages will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

29. What’s Next? Submit Pre-Application Initial Interview TrainingScreeningHome StudyLicensePlacementPermanency Choose program and complete formal application

30. Questions?