Irene Clements to Lead National Foster Parent Association
National Foster Parent Association
April, 2010
AUSTIN, TX – April 11, 2010―Irene Clements, vice president for Advocacy, Child and Family Services, of Austin-based Lutheran Social Services of the South (LSS), has been elected president of the National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) Board of Directors. Clements will take over the post effective June 1, 2010. The NFPA is the “national voice” of foster parents, lending support through public policy development, technical assistance, training, and networking.
Clements, who has been with LSS for 15 years, began her career in foster care with her own home. She and her husband Bill fostered 127 children over a span of 27 years, including four they adopted.
Clements is also current president of the Texas Foster Family Association (TFFA), and was twice named “Program Administrator of the Year” at the Texas State Foster Parent Conference. She served five terms as president for the Texas State Foster Parent, Inc. In 2003, Clements was honored at the Champions for Children luncheon in Austin, for her work and dedication in the field.
“Irene continues to use her diverse experience and knowledge to further the mission of both LSS and child welfare, and we are grateful for her and all that she does on behalf of children and families,” said Sonya Thompson, senior vice president of Child and Family Services for LSS. “LSS is the only child placing agency fortunate to have such hands-on child advocacy representation.”
LSS has 16 foster care offices throughout Texas and cares for more than 900 foster children daily. A multifaceted social services agency, LSS serves more than 45,000 people in Texas and Louisiana each year. Learn more about LSS’s award-winning foster care program at www.lsss.org.
