A new
zx JoAnn Cole to lead expanded Buckner Adoption and Maternity Services
DALLAS – JoAnn Cole, a veteran staff mem- ber of Buckner, has been named to lead Buckner Adoption and Maternity Services.
and Protective Services. Reyes said Buckner’s goal is finding
In naming Cole as vice president of BAMS, Albert Reyes, president/CEO of Buckner, said Cole brings a “vast under- standing and knowledge about child care and a passion to find permanency for the children Buckner serves.” Cole assumes her new role after serving for three years as vice president of Buckner Children and Family Services. Reyes said Cole’s appointment signifies a “renewed and rejuvenated commitment by Buckner to finding forever families for the children we serve. JoAnn’s extraordinary understanding of what is best for these chil- dren makes her the best person to lead us.” In her new role, Cole will focus on four
primary areas: international adoption services; global in-country adoptions and permanency services; domestic adoption services and all Buckner foster care pro- grams; and post-adoption services. Buck- ner’s foster care programs are partially funded by the Texas Department of Family
permanent solutions for vulnerable chil- dren the agency serves. “Finding families for children is the most life-changing, transformational ministry we have at Buckner,” he said. While Buckner has operated a full-ser- vice adoption agency as part of its ministry for more than 60 years, adoption has been part of Buckner since its founding in 1879, Reyes pointed out. With declines in infant domestic adoption programs nationwide, Buckner turned to international adoption. Today, Buckner’s fastest growing adoption program is placing children with fami- lies through foster-to-adopt and Waiting Texas Children programs. “Adoption ministry is a vital part of the DNA of Buckner,” Cole said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to expand and grow this critical area of work to serve even more children.”
“Having someone with JoAnn’s reputa- tion and stature lead this program signifies our commitment to adoption as a vital min- istry of Buckner International,” Reyes said. Henry Jackson, a 25-year staff member who is area vice president for Buckner Children and Family Services will serve as the interim vice president for BCFS. –Staff report
new and expanded Buckner Adoption and Maternity Services will focus on four areas of ministry going forward:
focus: A
• Domestic foster care and adoption services: These ministries will work only in Texas due to licensing. The adoption program includes domestic infant adoption, foster-to-adopt and Waiting Texas Children.
• Post-adoption and counseling services: These programs will focus on helping families after the adoption process and providing assistance to families in crisis pregnancy situations.
• Global in-country adoption and permanency services: This is a new focus for Buckner as the agency’s expertise is used to develop adoption programs in other countries that encourage in-country or domestic adoptions within that nation, aimed at creating permanent family solutions for children.
• Inter-country adoption services: Also known as international adoption, Buckner is looking into acquiring new countries from which children can be placed in American families.
WINTER 2015 ISSUE • Buckner Today 9
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60