DePaul Enters a New Partnership

Two agencies collaborate to provide preservation services.
DePaul Family Services has recently entered into an agreement with United Methodist Family Services and the Virginia Department of Social Services to offer Adoptive Family Preservation Services (AFP) to adoptive families and their children beginning in October 2006. These services are available to families residing in Virginia who have either signed an adoptive placement agreement or have a finalized adoption. DePaul will be serving adoptive families in the Southwest region of Virginia, stretching from Danville to Roanoke, Christiansburg, Abingdon and Tazewell. The post-placement services are based on the following four principles:

• Adoption is different. The dynamics of a family related by adoption are different from the dynamics of a family created by birth.
• Adoption is life-long and its impact creates unique opportunities and challenges for families and communities.
• Adoption is mutually beneficial to parent, child, and society.
• Society is responsible for supporting and aiding integration and preservation of adoptive families.

AFP services are provided by a cross-system network involving adoptive parents and adoption-competent professionals. Services may include advocacy, information and referral, service coordination, counseling, crisis intervention, parent support groups, children's support/activity groups, training, and access to funds to support adoptive placement. Families can be referred for services by adoption agencies/organizations, other adoptive families, general family service organizations, local departments of social services, and private clinicians. Families can also call about services themselves.

For more information, individuals may contact AFP adoption social workers directly at one of our offices nearby:

Kelly Bennett, Roanoke office: 540-265-8923
email: kbennett@depaulfamilyservices.org

Beth Cassell, Christiansburg office: 540-381-1848
email: bcassell@depaulfamilyservices.org

Karen Sexton, Abingdon office: 276-623-0881
email: ksexton@depaulfamilyservices.org

Individuals may also contact the toll free number at United Methodist Family Services for referral to the closest office at 888-821-HOPE (4673)!