Arms Wide
Share
Preserving and Fulfilling Families through Foster Care, Kinship Care, Foster Care Adoption, and Permanency Support Services in Greater Houston and South Texas
A non-profit organization with a 40 year history, Arms Wide is deeply committed to preserving and fulfilling families. Our mission is transforming the lives of children in need of safe and nurturing permanent families. Arms Wide was originally established in 1977 in Houston, Texas as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under its parent organization, the Christian Child Help Foundation, to launch a program to aid the overwhelming number of children who were removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and placed in the protective custody of the State of Texas’ foster care system. In 1980, the agency changed its name to Spaulding for Children, received its own Child Placement License and became an autonomous, secular agency with its own Governing Board of Directors. In 2000, Spaulding for Children merged with the Christian Child Help Foundation, absorbing its parent organization. In 2017, Spaulding for Children rebranded as Arms Wide Adoption Services to build on the reputation we built with the Spaulding for Children name – expertly finding children the right family and permanent home through a personal and honest approach. In 2023, we decided to remove “Adoption Services” from our name. Despite this shift, adoption remains a cornerstone of our programming just as it has been for the past 46 years. But we recognize that while adoption may be the right path for some of the children we serve, the support and care we provide is so much more. Our team embraces each family with warmth and compassion, and we hold their hand through each step of their journey, whether they are coming to us for foster care, foster care adoption, kinship care, or permanency support. Since its inception, Arms Wide has placed more than 2,2600 children in permanent adoptive homes. Foster care, adoption and post adoption services originated through the agency’s Houston office, which serves Harris County and the 12 surrounding counties in the Greater Houston area. In 2003, collaborative funding sources allowed Arms Wide to establish its first satellite office in Corpus Christi, Texas. From this base, South Texas staff places children throughout the state’s 19 southernmost counties. Today, Arms Wide’s Houston and South Texas offices serve a combined total of 32 counties, which are home to approximately one third of the state’s population.
10/05/2026
Congratulations to Ebony Moore, Kinship Home Developer/Navigator on our Foster Care Adoption team, for being selected as the recipient of the 2026 Third Quarter Crushin' It Award! This peer-nominated award recognizes staff members who go above and beyond in service of our mission.
10/02/2026
We're excited to welcome Victoria Ortez, MSW, to our team! She is a Permanency Support Services Case Manager and provides case management and support to families in the South Texas region.
"I am thankful for the opportunity to join Arms Wide," Victoria says. "Supporting children and families is something I care about deeply, and I admire the agency’s commitment to teamwork and creating a supportive environment."
Learn more about Victoria on our website: https://ow.ly/EPSy50ZTWek
10/01/2026
We're wishing the happiest of birthdays to our Administrative and Finance Assistant, and longest-tenured staff member, Jesse Grimaldo! 🎂
09/30/2026
We're wrapping up day one of our annual staff development and training retreat! Thanks to Nicole Klasey, PsyD, of Klasey Consulting for her informative and impactful presentation on workplace communication and collaboration!
09/24/2026
Please help us welcome Kailey Horne, M.A., to the team as a Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter! In this role, she works with children experiencing foster care to explore their existing social network, including family members, friends, and other meaning connections, to identify potential permanent families.
Learn more about Kailey on our website: https://ow.ly/B7fa50ZR7z8
09/23/2026
We're excited to welcome Jenna Brooke Warlick, LMSW, to Arms Wide as a Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter! As a Licensed Master Social Worker, she is passionate about advocating for children and helping families create meaningful connections that last a lifetime.
Learn more about Jenna Brooke on our website: https://ow.ly/25bB50ZQnOz
09/22/2026
We are having a great time and learning a lot at this year's Texas Child Care Administrators Conference in Grapevine!
09/21/2026
in 2007, we hosted our very first All In for Adoption Texas Hold 'Em Tournament! ♠️❤️ Over the last two decades, All In for Adoption has become one of the most beloved annual charity poker events in Houston. Will we see you at the 20th annual tournament on November 18? Sponsor this momentous occasion today: https://ow.ly/H0Ua50Zst2i
09/17/2026
Children who experienced abuse and neglect can carry trauma even after being connected to a safe and nurturing permanent family through adoption or a Permanent Managing Conservatorship. Our Permanency Support staff works tirelessly to connect these children with the support they need to heal, grow, and thrive.
Learn more about how we support these children on our website: https://ow.ly/7NnE50ZOUTs
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Category
Contact the organization
Telephone
Website
Address
9800 Northwest Freeway, Suite 415
Houston, TX
77092
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 5pm |
| Friday | 8am - 5pm |
Alerts
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Arms Wide posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.