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Kellie and Melody
Ben and Nathan
Frank and Andy
Brandon and Nichole
Dave and Kelli
Kyle and Katie
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Meet Our Staff
Meg Sterchi, a founder and the executive director of ADOPTIONS OF INDIANA, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in the area of adoption. She has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of mental health and social work focusing on children and families, mental health, and education. For the last 16 of those years she has focused on working with birth and adoptive families, preparing and supporting them throughout the adoption process. She also has personal experience with adoption, as an adoptive mother. It was this personal experience that led her to open ADOPTIONS OF INDIANA. Meg’s work focuses on the clinical issues surrounding private and international adoption. Meg firmly believes that adoption is a loving alternative to an unplanned pregnancy and is dedicated to the education and preparation of adoptive families and to the continuing improvement of the public's perception of adoption. She is guided by her philosophy that a major focus of adoption agencies should be to prepare, support and educate all parties involved in an adoption. Children are best served by parents who are well prepared to understand and deal with adoptive issues that arise throughout the adoptive lifecycle. Meg is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. She received her MSW from Indiana University School of Social Work and her BA from Purdue University. Meg, her husband, David, and their two sons Grant and Gavin are blessed to be a family joined together through adoption. They enjoy biking, traveling, sailing, and other water sports together. Meg can be reached at: msterchi@ad-in.org
Jennifer Morrissey started working in the field of adoption in 1999 and quickly discovered her passion for adoption. She began working in domestic adoption, but when a need came for someone to take over the international programs, she quickly learned about the possibilities with international adoption, and what joy it was to find homes for orphaned children. Through her international work, Jennifer has had the pleasure and opportunity to travel around the world. Jennifer received her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas and her Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. She loves working with families in every stage of the adoption process, seeing them through the various stops on the adoption journey to becoming a forever family. She believes in the value of education, and being prepared to parent a child according to their individual needs. Jennifer enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with family. She and her husband, Lawrance, have three children, Aidan, Alyssa, and Eli. Jennifer can be reached at: jmorrissey@ad-in.org
Julie Barnes is a graduate of Indiana University School of Social Work. She practiced in both Oklahoma and Indiana working with elderly, indigent, and disabled before coming to work with ADOPTIONS OF INDIANA in 2002 to work with birth and adoptive families. Julie has a special place in her heart for adoption. She is an adult adoptee with a loving adoptive family and a relationship with her birth mother. Julie feels that families who are prepared with their child’s history are able to have a fantastic future. She stresses the importance of honesty and “owning your parenthood” when counseling couples on adoption. “I am very fortunate that my parents were not intimidated by the adoptive process, they had very little information about my birth mother and they were supportive about gaining more,” Julie states. She draws on her personal experiences to assist adoptees with search and reconnection. Julie and her husband, Barry, have three children, Dylan, Claudia, and Brett. They enjoy many family activities including movies, sports, reading, biking, and outdoor activities. Julie can be reached at: jnbarnes@ad-in.org, , she currently works Tuesdays and Thursdays 9-3.
Allison Montgomery is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Indiana University and her Bachelor’s Degree from DePauw University. She worked primarily with children and families during her career in such areas as homelessness, mental health, and school social work prior to joining ADOPTIONS OF INDIANA in 2007. Allison became interested in the adoption field as she and her husband began the process of their child’s adoption from China. She has developed a deep respect for the adoptive process and both the difficult and amazing journey it allows. She feels fortunate to have personal understanding of what adoptive parents experience. This has also helped her know how important it is to educate oneself on adoption and the possible needs of the adopted child. Allison and her husband, James, welcomed home Mya in 2007 and are thrilled to be her parents. They enjoy time together as a family. Allison enjoys traveling, reading, sports, and has a deep passion and love for animals. Allison can be reached at amontgomery@ad-in.org or amont1225@aol.com.
Laura Dever is a graduate of Auburn University School of Social Work (Alabama). She has practiced in Indiana for the past 26 years working initially with elderly homebound clients and for the past 19 years, she has work at a Maternal and Child Services clinic that provides prenatal care to lower income pregnant women. Over the years many of the expectant women have chosen adoption. So, Laura is quite familiar with the adoption process through the eyes of birth mothers and has provided much counseling in assisting them with their decision making. Laura has a passion for adoption. She is an adult adoptee and has a wonderful and loving adoptive family. She has not chosen to have a relationship with her birth parent(s) at this time, but was informed from the beginning of her adoption. She is open to possibly learning more about her heritage and background in the near future, however. She realizes that each situation is different, but from her own personal experiences, feels that it is important for honesty related to the adoption be forthright for the health and well being of the adoptive child and his/her family. Laura and her husband, Tom, have two sons, Cliff and Clayton. They enjoy many activities such as sports, outdoor activities, and spending time at the beach. Laura can be reached at ldever@ad-in.org or ldever@aol.com.
Karen Sobol is our office manager. Karen has many years of experience as an office manager and administrator. She brings to our office a desire to serve and assist our families and to juggle the various administrative responsibilities. Karen and her husband, Gary, have three children. Their sons, Phil and Mike, are grown and live out of state. Their daughter, Kirsten, attends Taylor University. Karen enjoys reading, outdoor summer activities, traveling and extended family times with children and grandchildren. Bookkeeper Nancy is married and lives on the Westside of Indianapolis. She was born and raised a Hoosier. She and her husband have no children, but their nieces and nephews are a very important part of their lives. Nancy’s brother and sister-in-law are in the Indianapolis area, so she enjoys spending time with them and their children every chance she gets. Nancy’s hobbies include reading, writing, cooking, swimming and music. Nancy also owns and runs her own business, Kolovrat Bookkeeping Services.
We’d like to acknowledge Custom Portraits by Kurt & Laura who donated their time and incredible talent to update our staff photos. |
Executive Director:
Coordinator of International Services:
Adoption Specialists:
Office Manager:
