China
Guatemala
Russia
Vietnam
Brazil
IndiaKeith M. Wallace - Executive Director / CEO
I am responsible for overall direction and supervision of FTIA. I spend time presenting informational meetings, traveling overseas to maintain our programs and contacts, developing humanitarian aid projects, maintaining our web site, and contacting the CIS/INS, among other things.
Most importantly, I consider myself an advocate for adopting parents and the children we serve. I am a law school graduate from Valparaiso University School of Law and I taught law as a Foreign Expert in China in 1990 - 1991. I am active in both international and domestic adoptions and I am a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, American Immigration Lawyers Association, and Christian Legal Society.
I volunteer for many children-related activities including
serving on the Board for Impact Ministries which serves inner city youth. I enjoy running, reading, and hanging out with kids.
Email: kwallace@ftia.org
Maureen O'Connor - Director of Administration
I am responsible for the business operations at FTIA-finance, human resources, computers, etc. Assuring that these aspects of our agency run smoothly allows the rest of the staff to focus on our mission of serving children and adoptive families. It is rewarding to know that my efforts help our agency work as efficiently as possible.
I am a graduate of St. Louis University with a B.A. in Psychology. I am an Evansville native but have lived in Ohio, Illinois, and California. Prior to joining FTIA, I worked in healthcare administration. I have been involved as a volunteer with various agencies in Evansville.
I have two children in their 20's and one grandson. Having experienced the joys (and challenges) of raising children and now enjoying the new fun of having a grandchild, it is very satisfying to know that FTIA is helping children find loving homes. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, gardening, singing, and reading books.
Email: moconnor@ftia.org
Chris Huber - Director of Program Development
As the Director of Program Development, I currently supervise our Guatemala and Brazil adoption programs and I am involved in developing new programs in Latin America. I have also worked extensively in developing the software and on line resources used by all country programs at FTIA. As an adult adoptee and adoptive father, I am very passionate about adoption and the opportunity it provides children to have a loving permanent home. Besides my responsibilities at FTIA, I am also active in different national adoption advocacy groups.
I have four children, Anne Marie, Libby, C.J., and Luis, who was adopted from Guatemala in February 2004. I have lived and worked in Central and South America for over 15 years which provides me a good insight into the cultures of the countries where we work. In my free time I enjoy bicycling and reading.
Email: chuber@ftia.org
Salome Lamarche - Director of Programs
It is a pleasure to be a part of an organization that is committed to bringing families and cultures together through adoption. I have the honor providing direction and guidance to our Program Managers and Coordinators as we guide families through the adoption process. I will do all that I can to make this experience a joyful one for your growing family.
My husband, Chris, and I have a daughter, Chloe and son, Noah. We enjoy spending time together as a family and volunteering in our community.
I am a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Social Work. As a former Peace Corps Volunteer, I served as a Community Health Promoter in the Dominican Republic from 1991 to 1993. It was an excellent opportunity to experience another culture and see the challenges facing children around the world. I also understand the thrill of becoming a parent and the joy that parenthood can bring. I look forward to the opportunity to help families achieve their dream of building a family through adoption.
Email: slamarche@ftia.org
Cindy Scheller, LCSW - Director of Social Work Services
As FTIA’s Director of Social Work Services, my responsibilities include coordination and direction of home studies, post placements, and any other situations that require clinical skills and judgment. I completed my Bachelors Degree in Psychology at Purdue University in 1994 (Go Boilers!), and my Masters in Social Work at the University of Southern Indiana in 1999. I hold a License of Clinical Social Work.
I have been involved with international adoption work since January of 2000. I am so happy to be part of the adoption process for FTIA families. As a mother of three sons, I find no greater joy than parenting. Working in the adoption field allows me the opportunity to share this joy. I am always amazed at how each post placement visit is like the first with regards to the excitement of seeing a family unified and watching a child flourish! This is why I am so proud to be part of your adoption experience! I will do all I can to ensure you have a positive home study and post placement experience.
Email: cscheller@ftia.org
Erin Robling - Special Projects Manager
I am pleased to serve as Special Projects Manager for FTIA. I am the primary staff member responsible for Childvision’s humanitarian aid and fundraising efforts, coordinating with our large group of dedicated volunteers to further Childvision’s mission. My responsibilities also include supporting various projects and events for FTIA. Prior to my current role, I served as Executive Administrative Assistant to FTIA’s Executive Director and as a Guatemala Program Coordinator.
I earned a degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Southern Indiana. When not working, I enjoy music, being outdoors, running, practicing yoga and traveling.
Email: erobling@ftia.org
Nikki Bilderback - Executive Adoption Program Assistant
In my role as Executive Adoption Program Assistant at FTIA I provide support to our adoption programs. I am involved with reviewing and updating literature, general computer assistance, and other “behind the scenes” operations to ensure FTIA’s mission of serving children. Prior to my role as Executive Adoption Program Assistant, I was a Coordinator in FTIA's China Program for approximately 2 years. I received my B.S. in Psychology and my MSW from the University of Southern Indiana. When not working, I enjoy spending time with my wonderful husband, Matt and our two cats.
Email: nbilderback@ftia.org
Inessa Shiryaeva - Russia Program Manager
My responsibilities as a Russia Program Manager at FTIA include overseeing all aspects of the Russia adoption processes. In addition, I work with a caseload of families throughout their adoption process. I will be helping them with any questions about the adoption, the gathering of the adoption documents. I will be preparing them for their trips to Russia and will be updating them on their status. I also communicate with representatives in Russia involved in the adoption process.
I was born in Russia and have a degree in languages/translation and teaching/education from the Voronezh State University in Russia and a degree in economics from the Moscow Finance and Economics Institute. I speak English, Russian, and French, and I have started learning Spanish. I have worked internationally for more than 12 years and have been involved with U.S. not-for-profit organizations in Russia for over 7 years. I hope that my extensive travel experience, internationally as well as all over Russia and the former Soviet Union, will be a good resource for our families adopting from Russia.
During my travels I have made a lot of wonderful friends in the U.S. I enjoy traveling, movies, reading, and learning languages.
Email: ishiryaeva@ftia.org
Amanda Bridgeman - Guatemala Senior Coordinator
My name is Amanda Bridgeman and I am proud to be the Guatemala Senior Coordinator here at FTIA. As Senior Coordinator, I am in charge of managing the day to day responsibilities of our Guatemala Program. I also am excited to work with families on a daily basis and help them throughout their adoption journey. This position of adoption coordinator is one that is very near and dear to my heart. Being a child of international adoption, it has been a dream of mine to work with others to help them have the opportunity of a lifetime, the opportunity to have a family.
I am a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Marketing. Before coming to FTIA I worked as a home based caseworker and youth mentor.
In my spare time I enjoy cooking and spending time with my friends and family. The majority of my time is spent with the love of my life, my fiance' David, and our basset hound, Frank.
Email: abridgeman@ftia.org
Kathy Erwin - Guatemala Coordinator
I am an Adoption Coordinator for the Guatemala program. I am pleased to be a part of such a knowledgeable and professional team here at FTIA. Serving children and parents in their journey toward being a forever family is a privilege. My responsibilities include assisting families in preparing their dossier and guiding them through the process of adopting from Guatemala. I also serve as a resource and support throughout. I am always available to share in tears as well as laughter!
I graduated from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in music. Before coming to FTIA I was a social services worker in child protection for the Commonwealth of Kentucky for over seven years. I am delighted to continue working with and for children in a new and exciting direction.
My husband, Michael, and I have two daughters, Kennedy and Natalie. We love to spend time with friends, travel to visit family, watch movies, read, and cheer for the Auburn Tigers!
Email: kerwin@ftia.org.
Cynthia Mattox - Guatemala Program Translator
I am very happy to be working for the Guatemala Program. I previously worked as a Guatemala Program Coordinator for more than two years. Now I am working on a part time basis to assist with translating various adoption documents and maintaining contact with our representatives in Guatemala regarding referrals.
I was born and grew up in Peru, South America. I attended high school in Colorado Springs, Colorado as an exchange student for one year and I received a Bachelor of Business from Universidad San Martin de Porres in Lima. For 8 years, I worked in a project sponsored by the United States Government that provided technical assistance to micro-enterprises in Peru.
Since 2001, I have been living in the United States. My husband, Mike, and I were married in Houston, Texas in 2002 and lived in St. Louis, Missouri before moving to the Evansville area. Our first child, Adrianna Nicole was born August 1, 2006. As a part-time employee who often works from home, I feel fortunate to be able to care for our baby daughter and, at the same time, continue to be a part of FTIA. I enjoy being a mom, sharing time with my family, cooking, working in the yard, and traveling to warm places.
Email: cmattox@ftia.org
Guatemala In-Country Staff
Andrea Chamorro and Rafael Leon are the in-country Coordinators for our Guatemala program. They are responsible for attending to our families while they are in Guatemala, providing translation when families meet with their foster family, and taking families to the US embassy for their visa interviews. Our coordinators also visit the foster mothers who care for the FTIA children and take monthly updated photos for our adoptive families.
Betty Betz - China Program Manager
I am the China Program Manager. I feel honored and blessed to be a part of bringing families together. My first experience with adoption was with my own daughter, Sela, who was adopted in 2003 from China through the Waiting Child Program. I am proud to be a part of such a respected organization and am passionate about its mission. I believe the quality and professionalism of our China team to be unsurpassed.
I have a BS in Accounting and a Masters in Business Administration, both from the University of Southern Indiana. I have worked in both Accounting and Marketing for a large pharmaceutical company and also as a residential real estate broker. I am on the steering committee of the local chapter of Families with Children from China and enjoy studying the Chinese culture and language. My spare time is spent reading, biking and enjoying activities with my daughter.
Email: bbetz@ftia.org
Maury Reising - Waiting Children Senior Coordinator
I am the Senior Waiting Children Coordinator and work with the China and Guatemala teams. My responsibilities include communicating regularly with families, supporting them in the adoption process, and assisting them with paperwork, travel information, and providing emotional support. I love working with children with special needs and the families!
I graduated from the University of Evansville with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and am also a Licensed Social Worker. I have over 20 years of experience in domestic adoptions and related Child Welfare fields, having worked for the State of Indiana here in Vanderburgh County.
I am married to Kevin and have a grown daughter (adopted) and three grandchildren, with whom I enjoy spending much time! My hobbies include reading, gardening, and antiquing.
Email: mreising@ftia.org
China In-Country Staff
FTIA is very fortunate to have a dedicated staff in China. Vivian, Jasmine, Catherine, Tim, Tracey, Genie, Shirley and Julie make up our wonderful Beijing team. The Beijing Office team communicates regularly with the CCAA and provincial authorities as well as children's welfare institutes. The team also helps with making inside China travel arrangements for families. Families will have an opportunity to meet one or more members of the Beijing team during their trip to China as the Beijing team plays a critical role in being with our families during their travel and assisting families throughout their trip.
Rachel Reiners - Vietnam Senior Coordinator
I am the Vietnam Senior Coordinator at Families Thru International Adoption. My position allows me to help families as they work through the adoption process. I am excited to help build families through international adoption and love sharing in parents’ journey to create loving families.
I graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. degree in political science and a minor in business and symbolic logic. Before joining the FTIA team, I worked in direct-to-consumer marketing and customer service for a leading pediatric nutritional company. I am very happy to be at Families Thru International Adoption where I am able to interact with people in the process of becoming parents.
My son, Calvin, is an active toddler, so I spend an inordinate amount of time playing Thomas the Tank Engine and anything related to construction vehicles or John Deere tractors. In my spare time, I spend quite a bit of time outdoors, listening to music and working on home improvement projects. My hobbies include reading, cooking, and gardening.
Email: rreiners@ftia.org.
Melissa Haywood - Vietnam/China Coordinator
I am part of the Vietnam and China teams at FTIA . My role as a Vietnam/China Coordinator is to support and assist in the adoption of children. I help prepare documents and answer questions throughout the international adoption process.
In 2005, I graduated from Ball State University with a B.S. in Political Science with the intentions of working in Social Service. I have 4 years of experience in child care and am very excited to be helping build families.
My husband and I have one son. We enjoy riding bicycles, reading, and spending time together as a family.
Email: mhaywood@ftia.org
Vietnam In-Country Staff
FTIA is very fortunate to have a dedicated staff in Vietnam. Ms. Thuy is our In-Country Program Coordinator and Ms. Lam is FTIA Vietnam's Executive Secretary. Our staff in Vietnam communicates regularly with the IAD and provincial authorities as well as childcare centres. The team also helps with making inside Vietnam travel arrangements for families. Families will be assisted by both Ms. Thuy & Ms. Lam throughout their trip.
Beth Peterson - India Senior Coordinator
My name is Beth Peterson and I am pleased to be the India Senior Program Coordinator for FTIA. I manage the India adoption and assistance program overall. I communicate daily with our Indian Partner Organizations both in the US and India. I update our families on the progress of their case and am available to them throughout their adoption process including when it is time to travel to bring home their child. Another aspect to my work is that I am strongly committed to helping find families for our waiting Indian children.
Before joining FTIA, I established & managed the India Adoption & Assistance program for Special Additions Inc, for nearly 10 years. Prior to that, in 1994 I founded ICHILD while waiting for my daughter Ellie to come home from India. I have 4 children. Both of my daughters were adopted from India and I am touched to be able to help other children find their forever families. My family participates every summer in our Midwest ICHILD Heritage camp and we enjoy spending that week with other families who have also adopted from India.
Email: bpeterson@ftia.org
Katie Demko - India Coordinator
As India Program Coordinator, my responsibilities are to coordinate the Indian adoption process for our families. I assist and support families from start to finish during their adoption process by helping them with any questions about their adoption while helping them prepare and collect documents to complete their adoption paperwork.
I graduated from the University of Southern Indiana, where I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. Before joining Families Thru International Adoptions, I primarily worked in administrative/customer services. Prior to my position as the India Program Coordinator, I was a coordinator for the Russia program. I believe in the mission of FTIA and I am honored to assist and support families during the adoption process to create forever families.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. The majority of my time is spent with the love of my life, Aaron. We enjoy watching movies, entertaining friends, and watching sports. I am a big U of L fan (go Cards!) and I also like to follow the Cincinnati Reds and Denver Broncos.
Email: kdemko@ftia.org.
Terry Menegay - India Coordinator
As India Program Coordinator, my responsibilities are to coordinate the Indian adoption process for our families. I assist and support families from start to finish during their adoption process by helping them with any questions about their adoption while helping them prepare and collect documents to complete their adoption paperwork.
I have an Associate of Business Degree in Court Reporting and worked in the legal field for 14 years. After my daughter came home, I stayed home with my children; however, during this time I worked for Special Additions Adoption Agency as a volunteer and served on their Board of Directors for many years. My volunteer job took me to Romania four times and to Washington D.C. to lobby in support of international adoption.
I have a wonderful husband, Kerry, and three amazing children. Jon is 18 and off to Kansas University in the fall, Jinny is 12 and Sorin is 10. Jinny came home to us from South Korea when she was 6½ months old, and Sorin came home to us from Romania at the age of 5 ½.
I am very passionate about adoption and am thrilled to have a position that allows me to help children find their forever families.
Email: tmenegay@ftia.org
Ellie Malek - Post Adoption/Post Placement Coordinator
I am very excited to be at FTIA as the Post Adoption /Post Placement Coordinator. In this role, my primary responsibility is assisting families after they have returned home with their children. I am so pleased to work with post placement families aiding them with their post adoption reports, paperwork, and general post adoption support.
I have a Bachelors degree in Counseling and have completed part of a Master's level program for Community Counseling. I joined FTIA in May 2007 as a coordinator in the Guatemala program. It was a joy to work with families through their adoption journey and that experience helped prepare me for my current position. Prior to joining FTIA, I worked in Behavioral Health with severely mentally ill adults. I am from Evansville, but have lived in Florida, Nebraska, Texas, and Oklahoma. I have been married to Matt since 2000, and we enjoy taking care of our two dogs, Toby and Sophie. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, having friends over, and going to movies.
Email: emalek@ftia.org
Linda Huber - Intake Specialist
I am honored to be a part of FTIA. As an intake specialist, I enjoy helping prospective families understand which country programs are available and answering general questions that they have about international adoption.
Before coming to FTIA, I lived and worked in Africa, and Central & South America. Through those experiences, I have gained valuable insight into the countries that we serve and enjoy learning about world cultures and languages.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Education from the Cincinnati Christian University and also studied Spanish in Costa Rica. I enjoy teaching Spanish classes for Ivy Tech Community College, and am a trained medical interpreter & trainer through the Bridging the Gap Interpreters Program.
I love spending time outdoors, going on walks, volunteering in the community, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Email: lhuber@ftia.org
Ruth Magary - Intake Specialist
I am please to be a part of the FTIA team and am more than happy to discuss your adoption questions with you. Adoption has become a large part of my life, and I love seeing others use this option to further bless their lives.
I am originally from Indianapolis, but came to Evansville to attend the University of Evansville, where I completed my Bachelors Degree in Music Education. I have since worked in Human Resources and Child Care.
Having four children, three of which have been adopted, gives me some good insight into the issues of adoption. I also have two stepsons and a darling little grandson. When not working at FTIA, I spend my time with my children’s sports and music lessons. I also love antiques and have an old house that we are currently restoring.
I hope you will feel free to come to me with all your questions and adoption concerns.
Email: rmagary@ftia.org
Debbie Brockman - Intake Specialist
My name is Debbie Brockman. I am a member of Intake Specialist team. I have a bachelor's degree in nursing from Indiana State University. I can answer general questions you may have about any of the adoption programs FTIA offers.
My husband, Matt, and I have 3 children. Rachel and Lena were adopted from China through FTIA in 1998
and 2000. We also have a biological son, Samuel. Adoption is very close to
my heart, and I feel that I can offer a different perspective because of our
"blended" family. I love to talk with prospective adoptive families and share
in their excitement. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance to you!
Email: dbrockman@ftia.org
Jennifer Travis - Accountant
I am the Accountant for FTIA. I graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting in 2003. I began working at FTIA in 1997 and worked here until 2003. In 2003, I married my husband, and his job required us to be in California. I am very excited to be back at FTIA where I got started several years ago!
I have one son, Caymen, who brings new adventures and excitement into my life everyday. I am excited to be back in Evansville and enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Email: jtravis@ftia.org
Brenda Mickel - Front Office Coordinator
I am FTIA's Front Office Coordinator. My main responsibility is to answer incoming telephone calls and direct families to the appropriate team member. I also receive all incoming express deliveries and get them to the appropriate staff members.
My husband, John, and I have one married son and a dog named Muffin. We enjoy outdoor activities and being with friends and family.
Prior to working at FTIA, I traveled with my husband who is
retired from the U.S. Air Force and I worked in a variety of fields. We have
lived in Florida, Arkansas, New Mexico, and even Turkey. I enjoy working with the FTIA team and meeting and talking to our adopting families.
Email: bmickel@ftia.org
Lou Ann Green - Admin Assistant/IT Support
I’m excited about joining the FTIA team as an Admin Assistant/IT Support person. My responsibilities include providing IT and clerical support to the organization. In addition to handling routine front office duties, I also work on updating the website, computer troubleshooting, and assisting with a variety of other tasks as the need arises.
My husband, Dan, and I moved to Evansville in fall of 2002 from Green Bay, Wisconsin, after our only daughter re-located to the area. We decided that ten hours was too long to drive to see our two granddaughters as often as we wanted. It’s been a joy to be able to be a part of their lives, and watch them grow.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, movies, and counted cross-stitch. My husband and I also work with and support the local Habitat for Humanity chapter.
Email: lgreen@ftia.org
Candy Day - Ohio Administrator
As FTIA's Ohio Administrator, I am here to serve our Ohio families before, during, and after their adoption process. I share international adoption at our Informational Seminars, and coordinate speakers for our Waiting Family meetings. I stay abreast of changing Ohio legislation that may impact our families, and share that information with all that are touched by it. I work to familiarize myself with local resources that are available to address any needs our families may have.
I earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Wilson College, and a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from Xavier University. Prior to joining FTIA, I worked for several years in the area of Human Resources for various Fortune 500 companies. I am honored to be a part of this team and to work with families as they bring their children home.
My husband Mike and I have six children - Jeff and Greg, who are both grown, and A.J., Tran, Gia Vy and Hai Ky who are still at home with us, and who I adopted from Peru (A.J.) and Viet Nam (Tran, Gia Vy and Hai Ky) respectively. We are also proud grandparents, with one grandson. Our family is a blessing to us, and the time we spend together is precious to us. We also enjoy volunteering within our community and church, and traveling.
Email: cday@ftia.org
Brenda Reul, LCSW - Kentucky Administrator/Placement Director
As FTIA's Kentucky Administrator/Placement Director, my responsibilities include presenting Informational Seminars for prospective adoptive parents and Parent Education Seminars for FTIA Waiting Families. I also network with the Kentucky adoption community and provide support for adoptive families in Kentucky. One of my primary goals is to help assure Kentucky families that their needs will be addressed before, during, and after adoptive placement, through FTIA's efforts to help families grow and thrive.
I hold a master's degree in social work from the University of Louisville. As a licensed clinical social worker and a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists, I have enjoyed working with parents and children for many years.
As the adoptive mother of two children who were born in Guatemala, I am happy to have both a professional and a personal connection to international adoption.
Email: breul@ftia.org
Cheryl Walsh - Kansas/Missouri Administrator
I am Cheryl Walsh and I am happy to be the Kansas Administrator for FTIA. I have over nine years of work experience in the field of international adoption through my employment with Special Additions. While with SAI I gained experience in domestic and international adoptions including the adoption processes for China, Guatemala, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and India. I look forward to putting this experience to use for FTIA by presenting Informational Seminars for prospective adoptive parents and Parent Education Seminars for FTIA Waiting Families in Kansas and Missouri. I will also network with the Kansas and Missouri adoption community and provide support for adoptive families in this area. In addition, I will assist Beth Peterson and Terry Menegay in processing adoptions from India for clients nationwide.
My college education was obtained at the University of Kansas where I earned a Bachelor's degree in Personnel Adminstration. Following college I worked as a Regional Human Resources Manager for a Fortune 500 company for several years before deciding to stay home with my son and daughter while they were little. Those children are now 16 and 18 years of age! My husband and I are very proud of both of them!!
In my spare time (what is that?) I enjoy spending time with my family while snow skiing, boating, and cheering on the K.U. Jayhawks basketball team.
Email: cwalsh@ftia.org
Rachel Crews - Kansas Social Worker
My name is Rachel Crews and I am the social worker in the Kansas office. I also manage and administer the India post placement program. I have been an adoption social worker for fifteen years. I was raised in Texas and met my husband, Joel, at the University of North Texas in Denton. After receiving my social work degree in 1991, I began working in domestic adoption. After eight years in domestic adoption, marriage, one son, Jack, and a move to Kansas, I began working in international adoption in 2000. This year my husband, son, and I added a beautiful little girl from China to our family. Caroline has been with us since January and what a blessing she has been to all of us!
When I am not working, my family and I spend a lot of time playing and volunteering at my son’s school, our church, and a local retirement home.
I am very passionate about adoption and am thrilled to have a position that allows me to help children find their forever families.
Email: rcrews@ftia.org
Kathy Miraglia - New Jersey Administrator
I am the New Jersey Administrator for FTIA. My responsibilities include promoting FTIA in the tri-state area, conducting informational meetings and providing support for waiting families. I am here to introduce families to the FTIA organization, and provide support before, during and after their adoption process.
I have a bachelor’s degree in special and elementary education, and taught for 17 years. I have served on the Board of Directors for the South Jersey Chapter of Families with Children from China, and am one of the organizers of Camp FCC, now one of the largest Chinese Heritage Camps in the country. I also serve as PTA President for my children’s elementary school.
With FTIA’s help over the last 8 years, my husband, Joe, and I were blessed with 3 incredible children from China - Emily, Molly and Matthew. I am excited to now be part of the FTIA Family and look forward to working with others on their adoption journey.Email: kmiraglia@ftia.org
Lynn Wenstrup, LSW - Social Worker
I work with families in the Dayton, Ohio, area to complete their international adoption home studies. As a licensed social worker, I have worked in children's services for both public and private agencies and for the last five years, I have specialized in the area of international adoptions. Besides working with FTIA, I conduct international adoption workshops (with the Adoption Education Center in Dayton) and I am also involved in the annual Adoption Fair in Dayton.
My husband and I have been married for over 17 years and we have been blessed with three children; Mike, Jake, and Ginny (who was born in India). I am actively involved in a crisis pregnancy center, my local church, and my hobbies include running, tennis, and gardening.
I am passionate about international adoptions and committed to equipping families with practical, pragmatic information to ease adjustment and ensure success. It is an honor to work with families and a blessing to see parents and children united.
Email: lwenstrup@woh.rr.com