How do I adopt a child in Houston if I have a criminal record?

My wife and I want to adopt and we’ve been working with the Department of Family and Protective Services here in Houston. They sent us for foster parent and adoption training with a child placing agency. The agency conducts background checks before adoptions and they did one on me and my wife. I got a DUI about 3 years ago and the social worker handling the criminal background check says I have to wait at least 5 years after my DUI conviction before I can adopt a child through DFPS. I’m wondering whether this is actually true and if it is, whether my wife can adopt on her own if we stay married and living together. Can a lawyer get me through the adoption process even though I have a conviction on my record or help my wife adopt without me?