As the environment and circumstances surrounding CK Family Services evolve, we remain committed to adapting to better serve our youth and families. While the core needs of those we serve remain unchanged, we face new external challenges, including shifts in regulatory requirements and a redefined relationship with the Department of Family and Protective Services. Our ability to navigate these changes is crucial to maintaining the high standards of care our families rely on.
CK Family Services: A Nimble Workforce
At CK Family Services, we have always prioritized being proactive, ready to adjust as necessary to meet and exceed demands. A cornerstone of our strategic plan is to cultivate a “nimble workforce”—an adaptable, quick-to-respond, and agile team prepared to tackle emerging challenges. This adaptability ensures that we can continue to deliver on our mission, even as the landscape around us shifts.
Restructuring the Foster Care Program
In response to this dynamic environment, our leadership has identified the need to restructure the oversight of our foster care program. This new structure involves appointing a Director of Foster Care at each of our office locations—Arlington, Plano, and Waco—to enhance our processes and better position us for long-term success.
Diane Partin, COO, explains, “This transition is a strategic move to strengthen our foster care department by aligning regional and office operations more closely with those responsible for outcomes.”
These three trusted directors—Sara Bussey in Arlington, Shannon Bouse in Plano, and Michelle Rivera in Waco—will be deeply involved in the daily operations of their programs, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to their roles.
Getting to Know the Directors
Sara Bussey, Director of Foster Care in Arlington: Sara is a Licensed Child Placement Agency Administrator and a Licensed Master Social Worker. With extensive experience as a former leader in Treatment Foster Care, Sara is now overseeing the Arlington foster care program. Her career in child welfare began at DFPS in 2014, and since joining CK in 2021, she has built strong relationships with the supportive staff and dedicated foster families. Sara shares, “At CK Family Services, I feel that my passion has been amplified. Through the agency’s support, alongside my amazing Arlington team, we are effecting change for the children and families we are fortunate to serve.”
Shannon Bouse, Director of Foster and Adoptive Services: Shannon is also a Licensed Child Placement Agency Administrator and Licensed Master Social Worker. A dedicated CK team member for 18 years, Shannon has held various roles within the agency and considers herself to be a CK-lifer! In addition to her responsibilities as Director over the Matched Adoption and Post-Adoption programs agency-wide, Shannon will now oversee Foster Care in the Plano office. This role allows her to focus more deeply on the needs of the Plano area. Shannon explains, “One of my goals is to get to know the foster families themselves. Removing the geographic complications will allow for that. The same is true of the Case Management staff. I will be able to be involved in their work and their lives since we are all under one roof.” Shannon credits the supportive team for her ability to manage her responsibilities, stating, “We have a great group of employees here with fun, energetic camaraderie. They are a pleasure to work with. I’m excited to help equip them to develop their skills as we grow together.”
Michelle Rivera, Central Texas Area Director: Michelle is a Licensed Child Placement Agency Administrator and a Licensed Master Social Worker, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to her role. Michelle’s journey with CKFS began in 2009 as a Case Manager. After advancing through the ranks at CK and then taking time away to further her education, she returned to open and build the Central Texas office in 2023. In both her personal and professional life, Michelle’s goals include continued growth. Her motto is simple yet powerful, “always be hungry to learn more.” Her approach to teamwork and leadership centers on authenticity and fostering a positive and collaborative environment. Michelle’s extensive industry knowledge, coupled with her passion for foster care, will continue to benefit the staff and families in the Waco area as the Central Texas CK community grows.
Moving Forward
The newly appointed Directors will report to Michael Scrivner, Senior Director of Family Services, to ensure they are well supported in their roles. Michael elaborates on the reasoning behind the change: “Foster Care reorganization supports our mission by enabling CK staff to be more connected to each other and to agency leaders. Sara, Shannon, and Michelle are committed to leading their respective offices well by providing the staff with the direct encouragement and support they need to be successful. Focusing on the staff and foster families in one office allows them to ensure excellence, thereby improving our quality of care.”
While this restructuring primarily affects CK’s internal operations, families should experience minimal changes. The chain of command remains largely unchanged, with only a few names and faces shifting. Families will continue to interact with their Case Manager, who reports to a Case Manager Supervisor, then to a Manager of Foster Care, and up to the Director of Foster Care for their office. This structure continues with oversight from Michael Scrivner, Senior Director of Family Services, Diane Partin, COO, and finally Daniel Lund, CEO.
“This change will strengthen our agency by having licensed administrators closer to the daily operations of the program. It’s a team effort—a collaboration to build a strategic support system for our staff,” says Diane Partin, COO.
