Adoption Priorities, Inc.
A licensed, non-profit, 501(c)3 adoption agency.
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Meet our Board and Staff!
We, at API, are committed to making your adoption a success. We look forward to helping you create a forever family!
| Our Board of Directors is comprised of adoptive families and professionals as well as individuals interested in maintaining healthy families. Between our Directors, we have over 70 years of adoption and foster care experience. Amanda Way, Founder & President and Mitchell Way, Director ~ Amanda founded Adoption Priorities after seeing a need for quality services that focus on the adoptive family before, during and after an adoption. Mitchell helped Amanda found the agency and even came up with our name. He recently joined the API staff as our Director of Development and Compliance. Dee Carter ~ Vice-President. Dee has been a foster parent for about ten years and feels that the permanency adoption provides is so important to children in the foster care system. Leslie Switzer, LCSW ~ Director. Leslie has been a therapist for over fifteen years with many of her clients being involved in the adoption triad. She also has ample experience assisting foster families and children. William and Laurie Grace ~ Directors. William is a retired Chaplain and father to Elena. He and his wife, Laurie adopted Elena in 2005 from Russia. Laurie is an educator and in her role as a teacher, she has dealt with many adopted and foster children. Sallie Lewis ~ Director. Sallie is a retired educator with a passion for helping children. Helen Munk ~ Director. Helen was adopted as an infant and believes adoption to be a positive opportunity for children and families. |
Our staff members and contractors are committed to providing ethical and compassionate services to our families throughout the entire adoption journey.
Amanda Way, MLS, LBSW, LCPAA, President & Executive Director ~ Amanda has worked in the adoption field for over thirteen years. Along with her husband, she has adopted two children from Russia. She is a Licensed Social Worker and believes that adoptive parents play a vital role in improving the lives of children who might otherwise never know the joys of family life. She has dedicated her work to assisting families through the adoption process and hopes in doing so that they may have cherished memories of the beginning of a remarkable journey.
Brenda Carter, Office Manager and Dossier Manager ~ Brenda is an experienced Dossier Manager who has completed dossiers for many different countries. She has a meticulous attention to detail and is very efficient in completing complex paperwork requirements. Brenda is also in charge of keeping our office running smoothly! When relaxing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren who were adopted!
Mitchell Way, BA, Director of Development and Compliance~ Mitchell ensures that API complies with our state contracts and works to develop our programs and fundraising projects. He has a degree in Criminal Justice/Legal Studies and has worked for many years in corporate business. Mitchell is the father of two adopted children from Russia. Mitchell has a passion for helping people, especially children without families.
Ava Fulmer, BS, Child Placing Manager and Expectant/Birth Parent Coordinator ~ Ava has worked in foster care and adoption for 8 years. She has a wealth of knowledge in working with women who are contemplating terminating their pregnancy and advocating for adoption as the loving alternative. She helps oversee our homestudy services to CPS and works with our expectant parents. Ava is a mother and grandmother.
Bob Welch, BSW, Child Placing Manager ~ Prior to joining API, Bob worked with Child Protective Services for 18 years. He helps oversee our homestudy services to CPS and works with our families completing adoptions through CPS.
Candice Bienvenu, BA, Adoption Caseworker ~ Candice is one of our adoption caseworkers and completes homestudies for our CPS cases as well as international adoptions. She has a degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Candice enjoys working with children especially when working with our families after their adoption has taken place.
Becki Cruz, BS, Adoption Caseworker ~ Becki is an adoption caseworker completing homestudies for our CPS cases and providing adoption services. Becki believes the services provided through adoption social work are an integral part of providing permanency for children.
Aurora Gordillo, Administrative Clerk ~ Aurora is our administrative clerk and helps ensure our cases are processed in a timely manner. She has a background in accounting and working with children in a Christian school setting. Aurora has three children.