INTRODUCTION TO THE ADOPTION MAVEN

August 1, 2014

Deciding to blog was not an easy one for me. But after a lot of encouragement from family, friends and colleagues - here goes. 

I am an adoptive mother with daughters, aged 23 and 26, who joined my family at 5 and 22 days of age. I have lived the joys and challenges of motherhood with the complexity of adoption sprinkled in.

I am a social worker, who after working for several child welfare agencies, the New York City Department of Education, Veteran's Administration and the Multiple Sclerosis Society - opened a private practice, as I prepared for motherhood, wanting flexibility to be able to spend more time with my children. I started doing Adoption Homestudies in 1986 and became the director of the Ametz Adoption Program of JCCA in March 1992. Receiving the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute “Angels in Adoption” award in 2011 was an honor.

I have seen a lot in the 22 years as an adoption professional. Changes to regulations and laws. More oversight of professional practices and international procedures. Increasing awareness and arrangements for open adoptions. More focus on training professionals to be able to provide information, support and clinical services to anyone touched by adoption. 

I have created a Professional Adoption Training Institute in New York City and reached out to clinicians, religious and community leaders to sensitize them to the needs of adoptive families. I have presented to pre-adoptive parents and those living as adoptive families at conferences across the United States.

I am an advocate for ethical adoption practice. I believe not only birth parents, adoptive parents and their children deserve to be treated with kindness, respect and dignity but that their extended families are entitled to information, guidance and support, as well.

Over the years I have answered thousands of questions about adoption and adoptive parenting. I have blogged on various sites for those adopting or experiencing fertility issues. I have written pieces on changes in adoption regulations and specific information on homestudy processes, searching and reunion and more. It is always my practical parenting advice that gets the most response. And so, that is what my blog will address.  

I hope the information is helpful and makes each day a little easier. Welcome to my world.

Kathy Ann Brodsky, LCSW is a social worker, adoptive mom and advocate for ethical adoption practice. She has prepared thousands of adoption homestudies, counseled adoptive parents and parents-to-be, and has trained professionals to work with adoptive families. She was named an “Angel in Adoption” by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption in 2001 and has a private practice in New York City. She is also Director of the Ametz Adoption Program of JCCA. She can be reached at theadoptionmaven@gmail.com