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Nancy Burley, LISW, MSW
Executive Director
Nancy earned her Bachelors of Science Degree from Marshall University and Masters in Social Work from The Ohio State University. Nancy is a Licensed Independent Social Worker who began working in adoption in 1986. She speaks extensively throughout Ohio and the United States on a variety of adoption issues. She assists the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services by training social workers who wish to become state-certified adoption assessors. Nancy was an integral member of the team of professionals who re-wrote Ohio's current adoption law. She is one of the original founders of Adoption Circle. Nancy is highly regarded by birthparents, adoptive families, social workers, attorneys and judges for her expertise in the field of adoption. Nancy and her husband Doug Burley, a Columbus Realtor, reside in Columbus, OH and are the parents of two children. |
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Lucie Blumenthal, MA, LPC
Director of Adoption Services
Lucie received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Ohio State University in Family and Child Development. She spent many years working with delinquent youth in the institutional and community settings as a parole and probation officer. Lucie earned her Masters of Arts in Guidance and Counseling in 1980 and began working in the field of adoption in 1985. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a certified Adoption Assessor in Ohio. She is one of the founding “mothers” of Adoption Circle. As the Director of Adoption Services, Lucie focuses her efforts on supervision, education and the provision of services for adoptive parents. She is active in state-wide adoption groups such as the Ohio Adoption Planning Group. She is the mother of three children. Her Labrador Retriever is a licensed Therapy Dog and they volunteer weekly at the OSU James Cancer Hospital. Lucie has been active on various boards and is currently involved with Choices, an organization for the elimination of the cycle of domestic violence. |
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Susan Brewer, LSW
Director of Administrative Services
Susan is a 1985 graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. She began working in the field of adoption in 1987 and is a state-licensed adoption assessor who spent the early years of her professional career as a birthparent social worker. A founding member of Adoption Circle, Susan shifted her focus and now runs the Agency's financial services — billing, reimbursements and Medicaid for adopted children. Susan sits on the Board of St. Catharine's Church S.P.I.C.E. (Special People in Catholic Education) to support the inclusion of children with special needs. Happily married since 1989, she is the proud mom of two great kids. |
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A. Patrick Hamilton, General Counsel
Attorney for Adoption Circle
He graduated from Capital Law School in 1979. Before beginning his private practice in 1981, Pat was with the Legal Aid Society and Buckeye Union Insurance Company. His private practice has concentrated on family, juvenile and adoption law. Pat served as the Chairperson for the Guardian ad Litem Committee for the Franklin County Bar and was responsible for drafting the current local rules for GALs. He also is a member of the Collaborative Law Counsel of Central Ohio and he was the Coordinator of the Columbus Bar Association Homeless Project from 1989-1998. Pat is well versed in all aspects of adoption law and is a huge asset to Adoption Circle. |
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Kim Blajsczak, LSW
Adoption Caseworker
After working for over three years for the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office, Juvenile Unit, advocating for the best interest of children, Kim joined the Adoption Circle staff in 1998. Since that time she has worked extensively with Birthparents throughout the State. She has taken classes toward her Masters Degree in Social Work and has become an important member of the Adoption Circle team. |
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Amy Hokaj, LISW-S, MSSA
Adoption Caseworker
Amy started her professional career with the Child Welfare Department of Cuyahoga County, Department of Children and Family Services. She then worked as a hospital social worker focusing on women and children’s services. She earned her Masters Degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1991. Amy now performs a wide range of services for the Agency’s Birthparents and adoptive families. |
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Pamela Hook, MSW, LISW
International Coordinator
Pam received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from OSU in 1987 and a Master's in Social Work in 1988. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker-Supervisor and a Certified Adoption Assessor for the State of Ohio. Pamela has been actively involved in the field of adoption for over 15 years. Prior to joining Adoption Circle, she worked as an obstetric social worker. She frequently speaks on adoption issues, and has presented at a National Adoption Conference, Regional Adoption Summit, and RESOLVE--a support group for adoptive parents. Pamela has also presented on various adoption-related topics at obstetrical and pre-natal conferences. In her current role, Pamela coordinates and completes international homestudies, post-placements, and conducts education on international adoption issues. Pamela is married with four wonderful children.
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Jennifer Estep, MSW
Jennifer graduated with her Masters degree in Social Work in 1998. She is a certified Adoption Assessor for the State of Ohio. Jennifer resides in southern Ohio with her husband and three daughters. Adoption is very close to her heart, as she and her husband have two daughters from the adoption process
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Peggy Dodds, LSW
I have been a social worker since 1980. I attended Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, IL where I earned my Bacherlor's Degree in Social Work and Psychology. Many of my years of service have been spent as a social worker at Children Services. Presently, my full time job is at Nursing Home in Lima, OH and I work with Adoption Circle on a part time basis covering the Northwestern part of the state. I am married and we have three teenage daughters who make my life very interesting. In my spare time, I like to spend time with my yellow lab "Ginny Mae" and my cocker spaniel "Cooper". I also enjoy reading all types of suspense/mystery books. My favorite authors are Janet Evanovich and James Patterson (The Alex Cross Series). I look forward to working with you through the adoption process. The adoption process is very challenging but also very rewarding.
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Debbie Melucci, MSW, LISW
Debbie graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Capital University in 1991, and received a Masters Degree in Social Work from The Ohio State University in 1994. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and a Certified Adoption Assessor for the State of Ohio. Debbie is a happily married mother of three boys and two girls. Her passion for adoption came full circle four years ago when she brought her youngest daughter home from Guatemala. |
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Julie Janson
Julie
has taught Parenting and Baby Care classes in a variety of settings since 1998. Educating new parents is her passion, and she is pleased to offer "Baby Care Basics for Adoptive Parents" to prospective parents at Adoption Circle. Julie is the proud mother of two beautiful children, both adopted through Adoption Circle. |
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Danni Hedrick, LSW, BASW
Adoption Circle Contract Social Worker
Danni received her Bachelors Degree from WV State College in 1987. In 1988 she moved to Columbus Ohio and found her passion working with birth parents for a private adoption agency. For the past 20 years Danni has been a part of over 300 adoptive placements working with birth parents, adoptive families, and adoptees. Danni has spoken to a variety of professional groups and high school students on the topic of adoption, fostering and parenting. Danni enjoys her position at Adoption Circle working with birth parents, facilitating homestudies and post placement supervision. Danni resides in Columbus with her 12 year old son and her obnoxious beagle dogs. |
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Rachel Boone, MSW, LSW
Adoptive Parent Social Worker
Rachel has been with Adoption Circle since June, 2004, first as an intern, now as an adoptive parent social worker. Rachel graduated from The Ohio State University in 2001 with a Bachelor’s Degree in social work and a Master’s Degree in 2005. She began her social work career as a caseworker with Franklin County Children’s Services in 2001 and remained there until 2006. Rachel began contracting with Adoption Circle in 2006 and has been working with adoptive parents completing home study preparation and post placement requirements. She is employed full time as a team leader for family case managers working with children and families suffering from abuse and neglect. She currently resides in the Columbus area. |
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A. Eugene Smiley, D.Min, LSW, PCC
Gene Smiley has extensive experience working with children and families. He is a certified trainer in the Ohio caseworker and foster parent network (OCWTP). He is also a Ohio certified Adoption Assessor. He works with the Court systems and child protective services in several counties providing family assessments, custody evaluations, parenting skills education, and attachment assessments. Dr. Smiley is a licensed social worker, a professional clinical counselor, a certified adoption assessor, and does work in family mediation. He has provided counseling services in private practice since 1991. |
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Ginger Heyneman, LSW
Ginger has worked with children and families since 1978 in a wide range of programs including child protective services in several counties and foster care licensing and training. She has provided oversight to one of the largest Help Me Grow programs in Cuyahoga County since 1997 as well as oversight of a program for expectant and parenting teens since 2006. Ginger earned her Bachelors Degree in Social Work and Sociology from Bluffton College in 1978. She is a Licensed Social Worker and a Certified Adoption Assessor in the State of Ohio.
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