Communication with Foster/Adoptive Parents, DFPS/DFPS

1. To contact Refuge House in the event of an emergency:

   1. Foster/adoptive parents should first attempt to contact their Refuge House Case Manager. 

   2. If unable to reach their Case Manager, or if the emergency occurs after hours, (outside the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday), foster/adoptive parents should contact Michele Gorman @ 972-849-7337. 

   3. If foster/adoptive parents are unable to reach the on-call Case Manager, foster/ adoptive parents should contact either

      • Michele Gorman, Executive Director/CEO at  (972) 849-7337,

      • Operations at (972) 662-5112,

      • Administrator at (972) 834-0918  

      • Your Case Manager 

2. The two emergency contacts employed by Refuge House to be used as emergency contacts for DFPS/DFPS are:

   2. • Michele Gorman, Executive Director/CEO: (972) 849-7337

      • Administrator at (972) 662-5112 or 972-834-0918 

These staff will be available 24 hours a day, for whatever period of time is necessary, immediately following the disaster.  In the event that phones are not working but email contact is available, they may be reached at:

2. 2. • Michele Gorman, Executive Director/CEO:  mgorman@refugehouse.org

      • Kelsey Batista, Administrator: kbatista@refugehouse.org

      • DFPS website: www.dfps.texas.gov

3. Michele Gorman, the Administrator and Case Managers are the identified staff members from Refuge House who will organize planning, response, and decision-making process in the event of a disaster. Either Michele Gorman, or the Administrator will contact DFPS/DFPS with the information on the location and condition of children/young adults in care who have been evacuated as soon as the children/young adults reach their evacuation destination, and once per day at a minimum thereafter (unless otherwise instructed by DFPS) to provide information concerning the children/young adults in their care until all children/young adults are accounted for.  The method for contact will be made according to the procedures outlined by DFPS at the time of the disaster or if provided by DFPS in written policy prior to the disaster (such as a toll-free number at 1-800-252-5400 or website address at www.dfps.texas.gov).