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.
