As the Executive Director of Family to Family, I proudly lead a devoted child placing agency committed to transforming lives, with over two decades of experience in child advocacy and support. Beginning my journey in 1999, I cultivated my passion at Casa de Esperanza, where I assumed various roles and cared for 54 children, shaping my approach to child welfare. In my personal life, I am a parent to six children, four adopted and two biological, ranging from 17 to 33, actively involved in raising three grandsons.
Guided by mentors like Kathleen Foster, Bill Jones, and Shelley Starr during my tenure at Casa de Esperanza, their influence profoundly shaped the values that now form the foundation of Family to Family. Since the establishment of Family to Family in 2001, I have been intricately involved, aligning with the core values set by founders Maxine and Debbie Seiler. My vision for the organization is to extend support beyond immediate needs, fostering a lifelong sense of community and belonging for children and families. With a commitment to propelling Family to Family to greater heights, I eagerly look forward to continuing to serve and strengthen our community, believing that together, #wearethevillage – a collective force dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families.
Jenifer holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she specialized in child welfare and family dynamics. Her educational foundation has been the cornerstone of a distinguished career in adoption services, where she has dedicated many years to advocating for children and supporting families through the adoption process. Before joining Family to Family Adoptions, Jenifer garnered invaluable experience working with Child Protective Services adoptions unit and various private adoption agencies. Her role involved managing complex cases and working directly with families and children to ensure their needs were met with sensitivity and care. Additionally, Jenifer has extensive experience working with pregnant teens, providing crucial support and resources to young mothers facing challenging circumstances.
As our Director of Adoptions, Jenifer brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership. Her role encompasses overseeing the entire adoption process—from initial consultations, matching birth parents with adoptive parents in private adoptions to post-placement support. Her comprehensive understanding of adoption procedures, coupled with her compassionate approach, ensures that every family receives the personalized care they need.
Eloisa has been a vital part of Family to Family Adoptions for 22 years. She has guided countless Birth Parents through the difficult process of placing a child for adoption. Here what we have to say about her: As our dedicated Director of Maternity Services, Eloisa works tirelessly to support our birth mothers through the adoption process. Serving as their advocate, voice, and guide, she ensures that every step is a compassionate and well-guided journey. Eloisa’s genuine care extends to accompanying birth mothers to doctor appointments, meeting their needs, and providing a comforting presence. Her wonderful listening ear and special ability to make everyone instantly feel at ease contribute immensely to the supportive atmosphere at Family to Family. We are truly grateful to have Eloisa on our team, making a lasting impact with her compassion and dedication.
Raquel completed her final semester of undergraduate college as an intern at Fam2Fam. She graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin, and was hired as an Adoption Social Worker at Family to Family in January 2014. She then went on to earn her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Houston in 2016. Shortly after that, she began working towards earning her clinical license and was able to add a “C” to her credentials in April 2021, followed by becoming an LCPAA in June 2021. When asked what made her pursue a career in social work she states, “I have always wanted to work in adoptions. My brother was adopted when I was 8 years old. Helping children and bringing families together is my passion. Becoming a social worker allowed me to achieve my dream job.”
Kirby Matthews is an accomplished human services leader with more than a decade of experience dedicated to protecting children, empowering families, and strengthening systems of care across Texas and Louisiana. Throughout her career, she has developed a reputation for strong leadership, crisis-response expertise, and an unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Kirby currently serves as a Foster Care Director, where she oversees the full continuum of foster care services aimed at ensuring safety, stability, and permanency for children in substitute care. In this role, she provides strategic oversight of program operations, guides policy implementation, and collaborates closely with internal teams, foster families, service providers, and community partners. She leads initiatives to enhance placement stability, improve care coordination, and strengthen support systems for children and caregivers. Her leadership emphasizes quality assurance, staff development, and data-driven decision-making to elevate overall program performance.
In addition to her current role, Kirby brings extensive supervisory experience from her work as an Investigations Supervisor with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. During her tenure, she managed unit operations, provided staff coaching and performance evaluation, and made high-level decisions regarding child safety, removal, and placement. Her background also includes work as a Human Resource Specialist, where she supported statewide hiring efforts through candidate screening, interviewing, onboarding, and workforce planning.
Kirby’s earlier positions span Conservatorship Supervision, Investigations, and frontline Child Protection work, giving her a deep understanding of the child welfare system from multiple operational viewpoints. Before joining DFPS, she served in several mental health and family support-focused roles in Louisiana, including Child Welfare Specialist II, Mental Health Professional, Family Systems Counselor, and Support Coordinator for individuals with developmental disabilities. Across all roles, she has demonstrated exceptional skill in crisis management, case planning, counseling, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
She has also been recognized for her contributions to organizational improvement, including a promotion and participation in a Performance Improvement Committee aimed at strengthening agency service delivery.
Kirby holds both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, which has provided a strong academic foundation for her work in child welfare, mental health, and community-based services. Combining clinical insight, leadership expertise, and a strong commitment to advocacy, she continues to champion initiatives that support child safety, family stability, and long-term well-being.
If you would like us to help you on this journey, please read through our website or contact us so we can begin the process of creating or expanding a loving family together through adoption or foster care in the Greater Houston Texas area!
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