November is National Adoption Month and is a time to raise awareness for the 117,000 children waiting for adoption in the United States. 

Buckner is passionate about caring for adoptive families and their children well, and works with adoptive families through three different programs: Waiting Texas Children, Domestic Infant and Child Adoption, and Foster-to-Adopt. 

• Waiting Texas Children provides permanent homes for children who are in the foster care system whose parents' rights have already been terminated, but they have not been adopted yet. 
• Domestic Infant Child Adoption provides permanent homes for infants or children whose birth parents have made a voluntary plan of open adoption and want to maintain a relationship with the adoptive family. 
• Foster-to-Adopt provides permanent homes for children who, after residing in your foster home, become available for adoption, after the parents terminate their rights. Like foster care, the primary goal of this program is the child's reunification with their biological family. 

Buckner Children and Family Services also has established a new Post-Permanency Department to continue to support all families after their adoption is finalized. This department combines the services of both Post-Adoption and a new After Care program. This team is dedicated to helping families navigate the new chapter of permanency. Whether they need immediate support or help years later, the goal is to be a reliable point of contact for any questions or needs that may arise. 

The department offers two services: 

• Post-Adoption is Buckner’s long-standing service that offers support to any family that has adopted through Buckner. This support is available at any time to any family that has adopted through Buckner. They can connect you with counselors or other community resources families might need.   

• The After Care program is a new state-mandated initiative that provides support to families who have reached permanency through kinship or have a child with a higher level of needs. This program lasts for six months immediately after a child is discharged from foster care, and its purpose is to serve as a bridge to ensure families are well-supported during this critical transition period. 

During this National Adoption Month, Buckner acknowledges the high calling and sacrifices of adoptive families, and we seek to support such families as they care for some of the most vulnerable children in our nation.

If you have questions or need counseling or other resources for your post-adoption, visit https://pages.buckner.org/adult-adopted-persons to fill out the form. 

To begin your journey into foster care and adoption check out our virtual information meetings. Visit buckner.org/fostercareinfo to register today!

Written by Jessica Gardner, director of program marketing, Buckner International