Foundation committed to finding permanent homes for the more than 155,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems
Columbus, Ohio — The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a national non-profit public charity, today welcomed Scott L. Moeschberger, Ph.D., as a member of its board of trustees. Scott is a professor of psychology at Taylor University and director of the school’s Initiatives for Vulnerable and Orphaned Children, a pioneering program designed to equip students with best practices and real-world exposure to issues affecting vulnerable children across the world. He will serve a three-year term.
“The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is doing absolutely critical work in finding safe, loving, adoptive homes for North America’s most vulnerable children,” said Moeschberger. “I’m honored to help in advancing the Foundation’s mission at a time of great need, as the number of children waiting to be adopted from foster care, unfortunately, continues to rise.”
Moeschberger is an accomplished author and speaker. His research has examined:
- The experience of young adults adopted into transracial homes;
- The relationship between violence and vulnerable children worldwide; and
- Strategies for improving the effectiveness of the foster care system.
He recently completed a Visiting Research Fellowship at the Kroc Institute for Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame.
“Scott is a committed advocate for protecting and improving the lives of vulnerable children around the world,” said Mary Schell, Chief Public Affairs Officer for The Wendy’s Company and chair of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s board of trustees. “He will be an outstanding addition to the board.”
Through its signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption provides funding to adoption agencies to hire recruiters who implement an evidence-based, child-focused recruitment model. A rigorous, five-year evaluation revealed that the model is up to three times more effective at serving children who have been in foster care the longest, including older youth, sibling groups and children with special needs.
To date, more than 475 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters have found forever homes for more than 9,500 children in foster care across North America.
“Through his academic and professional efforts, Scott is advancing evidence and practice to better serve the globe’s most vulnerable children, while inspiring others to serve those who need our help the most,” said Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. “I look forward to working alongside such a knowledgeable and dedicated champion for foster care adoption.”
Moeschberger earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Taylor University, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Trinity Graduate School and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology from Ball State University.
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About the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for the more than 155,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s® founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and innovative grantmaking. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org.
