Lead Accreditation and Compliance Analyst

• Apr 2018 - Present

Guide adoption service providers through the accreditation process ensuring practices are in compliance with federal regulations set forth in The Hague Convention on the Protections of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. Ensure knowledge and understanding of the regulations, country-specific adoption processes/laws and organization's operating procedures. Develop and maintain relationships with adoption service providers, ensuring timely and clear communication and expectations. Assess IAAME needs and provide support and guidance to other Analysts, Management and Executive Leadership to successfully address those needs. Show less

Team Lead/Social Worker

• Jun 2014 - Present

Accompanied families on homeland tours to Russia, India, China, Cambodia and Guatemala; provided support and counseling during tours of countries, orphanage visits and reconnection with birth families. Accompanied families on homeland tours to Russia, India, China, Cambodia and Guatemala; provided support and counseling during tours of countries, orphanage visits and reconnection with birth families.

Vice President of Adoption

• Jul 2017 - Apr 2018

Supervised, monitored and provided guidance and direction for adoption programming; managed operations and oversaw effective and ethical adoption facilitation services in China, Colombia, Bulgaria, Burundi, Haiti and the Philippines while remaining in compliance with all state, and international regulations. Developed and maintained strong relationships with country officials and country national staff to keep abreast of evolving trends. Responsible for developing policies and identifying skillsets needed to build program capacity. Assessed ongoing programming needs and provided technical support and guidance to staff, partners and government officials to implement programs that successfully address those needs. Created and updated forms, policies, procedures and processes to comply with state, federal, and international laws. Show less

• Dec 2014 - Jul 2017

Oversaw operations of adoption programs for China, Colombia, The Philippines and Thailand while providing leadership, evaluation and direction. Collaborated with international, national and local partners to monitor and grow program, participated in collaborative agency meetings to ensure robust management, marketing, program development and budgeting. Provided social worker supervision according to current practices, policies and agency standards. Developed training curriculum for and facilitated training to prospective adoptive parents. Created and updated forms, policies, procedures and processes to comply with state, federal and international laws. Hague Compliance Officer. Show less

• Sep 2014 - Dec 2014

Provided case management for adoptive families by guiding them through pre-adoptive counseling, home study assessments, and home visits. Provided client training and education. Advocated for families during child-finding period. Referred clients to community resources; provided post-placement support and counseling to families. Collaborated with domestic adoption agencies, counties, state agencies and other social workers to provide ideal service; teamed with ICPC to ensure compliance with standards. Show less

Domestic Infant Adoption Coordinator

• Nov 2013 - Aug 2014

Provided case management for adoptive families by guiding them through pre-adoptive counseling, home study assessments, and home visits. Provided client training and education. Advocated for families during child-finding period. Referred clients to community resources; provided post-placement support and counseling to families. Collaborated with domestic adoption agencies, counties, state agencies and other social workers to provide ideal service; teamed with ICPC to ensure compliance with standards. Show less

Adoption Social Worker

• Feb 2013 - Aug 2014

Provided case management for adoptive families by guiding them through pre-adoptive counseling, home study assessments, and home visits. Provided client training and education. Advocated for families during child-finding period. Referred clients to community resources; provided post-placement support and counseling to families. Collaborated with domestic adoption agencies, counties, state agencies and other social workers to provide ideal service; teamed with ICPC to ensure compliance with standards. Show less

Birthparent & Pregnancy Counselor

• May 2008 - Mar 2009

Provided case management and counseling, fostering trust with clients to explore options. Advocated for and counseled birth parents, guided them through adoption process. Assessed birth parents’ abilities to continue adoption plans, manage grief and loss and maintain relationships with adoptive families. Provided counseling and resources related to housing; employment; and financial, mental health and medical issues. Partnered with other adoption agencies, counties, state agencies and other social workers to provide client services. Show less

Development Consultant

• Sep 2007 - Apr 2008

Assessed, developed and facilitated groups of community leaders to identify strategies to promote women’s education and community needs while immersing in and experiencing Togolese culture. Assessed, developed and facilitated groups of community leaders to identify strategies to promote women’s education and community needs while immersing in and experiencing Togolese culture.

Social Work Intern / Social Worker

• Sep 2006 - Sep 2007