Social Worker Appreciation

Nominated by Lindsey Brynjolfsson, Director of Specialized Programs

Kim Dewire has been an incredible champion and collaborator with the launch of Weekend Family Connections. Kim (and her unit) have offered beneficial feedback to help the program continue to evolve into better versions of itself so that we can best support the families and kids involved. Kim and her unit have not shied away from the additional work that comes with having so many of the kids in their unit participate in Weekend Family Connections as they have seen the benefits of having the kids and teens grow their natural networks and build relationships with families in a different way. I know that working alongside Kim will always be for the betterment of a child or teen based on the specific needs of that youth.

Nominated by Deidra Graham, Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter - Western Massachusetts

I have had the pleasure of working with Jennifer Rhodes, Adoption Social Worker from the Greenfield DCF Area Office since I began as a WWK Worker in 2019. I have had 3 kids from her caseload since then (one has been adopted, one has been placed and the other we are still recruiting for). From the beginning Jen has always kept me informed in updates/changes to their cases. She invited me to FCRs and treatment meetings on them. When I email to ask questions, she has promptly responded to my emails. I have watched and listened to how she responds to family members, foster families and other professionals involved on the cases. Because of this I have taken tips on how to respond to the youth, their family members, and foster families. From the beginning it has been a pleasure to work with her to help the youth she has referred to WWK permanency with loving and caring families.

Nominated by Maurine Albano, Child Services Coordinator - Western Region

Over the 23 years that Dawn Manning has been an adoption worker for the Holyoke adoption unit she has never given up hope on finding a forever family for any of her children.  Her determination and her faith is what takes her traveling to the far ends of MA, all New England states and NY to meet with families and transport children back and forth for transition visits. She has never rushed a match and will give it her “all” regardless of how long it takes for a child to feel comfortable in their new family. 

She never misses a MARE matching event regardless of where it is.  I did the math one day and realized that for Dawn to travel to northern eastern MA to a matching event with her kids in tow she would need to get at 4 am, leave her house at 5am, drive to Springfield area to pick up her kids and then drive an additional 2 hours to the event.  Once there she’d first sure that her kids were comfortable with the buddy who was chosen for them.  She would then go to work and meet as many families as possible hoping that one of them could be the right match for one of her children.   

In addition Dawn has always been responsive to every email that I send and questions that I ask. She takes advantage of every recruitment opportunity offered by MARE to her children including video and photos shoots,  matching events, specialized recruitment for those of her children who may need it, featuring her children on various types of media across MA and  The Heart Gallery. 

I once thanked Dawn her for all the effort and work she put into doing her job and her response was…”No thanks is needed.  I can end my workday by going home to a loving and supportive family which is a lot more than my kids can say or have”. 

Over 23 years Dawn has had disappointments; children have disrupted and then there has always been the inability to find the right family for some children like Miguel A., Gerald C., Edward V..  Regardless of any setbacks Dawn has always been able to start back up again working even harder.

Nominated by Kristina Russell, Child Services Coordinator 

Lindsey is a dedicated professional that goes above and beyond for the children in her care. The MARE Child Services Coordinator for Lindsey’s region, Kristina Russell, says that she is extremely responsive and always shares detailed information on each child for which she is recruiting for. Kristina loves Lindsey’s exuberance and enjoys seeing her interact at matching events where her personality truly shines. Another Adoption Social Worker in Lindsey’s unit raves about her, saying: “Lindsey makes every effort to ensure the children she works with have all their needs met and goes above and beyond to be able to have them have the best out of life.  She works dauntlessly to find permanency for her kids and will always put them first in making any decisions regarding matching, to ensure the family will be successful. Most importantly, she wears her heart on her sleeve and is not afraid to share her feelings with her colleagues, both good and bad, to seek support!  It is a pleasure to work with Lindsey and watch her grow in her career. Lindsey’s supervisor agrees and adds that “Lindsey’s clinical skills are stellar, and that “has a great rapport with the children she works with, as well as with providers, foster and adoptive parents.  I wish I could clone her!

Nominated by Kristina Russell, Child Services Coordinator

Hannah Burke is a relatively new addition to the North Central team as an adoption social worker. Her supervisor, Stephanie Corliss, shared that “Hannah is truly an asset to the adoption team at North Central. While she has been with the adoption team for just over a year, she has been able to learn the role and continues to demonstrate her passion for the children of the Commonwealth. She is a fierce advocate for her children and their well-being. She is the first person to volunteer to help transport children and is always willing to re-arrange her schedule to help her unit mates and their children as well.”

Others feel just as strongly about Hannah’s outstanding work. One adoptive parent said “Hannah has been professional, consistent, courteous, and knowledgeable in her role as our soon-to-be adopted son’s adoption caseworker. She is kind and compassionate and clearly cares for her kids as if they were her own. We have been fostering for almost a decade and Hannah is absolutely one of the top workers we have had the pleasure of working with.” And a clinician who works with two brothers on Hannah’s caseload added “She is a strong advocate for the boys' welfare including their educational needs, medical appointments, weekly visitation with their family, their participation in adoption events, and is actively involved in meetings with collaterals, including IEP Team meetings and Quarterly Case Conferences.”

Nominated by Scott Barry, Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter - Boston Region

I have been working with Jonette for just over a year on a case that has been with Wendy's Wonderful Kids for quite a while. The case is extremely complex and there are multiple siblings and Jonnette is and was the worker for all four boys. Jonette is the epitome of what I look for in a worker. She is super smart, refreshingly passionate, and genuine in her approach which shines through with her kids and the people she interacts with. The responsiveness in real-time is something I truly appreciate and is so imperative to serving our kids. Jonette humanizes the role of a DCF worker and it's not always business as usual. Though we don't always agree on things Jonette is guided by policy and we both understand that, but we are able to hear each other out and collaborate In the best In of the kids. I am honored to be able to give her the recognition she deserves.

Nominated by Deborah Noah, Child Services Coordinator - Northern Region

Jodie Kemp, an ADLU worker from the Northern Region, is described as a superstar by her supervisors. Jodie always exhibits a positive attitude and her families love working with her. Jodie is the epitome of a team player as evidenced by her always offering to assist her colleagues throughout the entire Northern Region. Jodie is always willing to transport children to schools and programs from any area office and when needed she will sit at hospitals overnight to ensure the safety of our youth. Jodie also assists area office adoption teams by writing Child Assessments. Jodie can always be counted on to assist her supervisor or recruiters by volunteering to cover informational sessions. Jodie is also one of the first ones to always volunteer and to offer to help at all our MARE matching and recruitment events. Jodie’s passion for the child welfare field is clear. We are blessed to have Jodie working on behalf of our children.

Nominated by Deborah Noah, Child Services Coordinator - Northern Region

Tim is a seasoned and talented Adoption Worker from the DCF Greater Lowell Area Office. He is admired and respected by many in the field of Child Welfare and Tim’s supervisors have only high praise for him. Tim works tirelessly on behalf of the children of the Commonwealth. Tim has worked his entire career advocating for children ensuring they have permanency with a family that truly love them. Tim works very closely with the children on his caseload, and he develops a meaningful, professional relationship with each child and with the pre-adoptive family. Tim is dedicated to finding families for some of our most complex cases, and he always does it with integrity and passion.

Chris Kotsakis, Adoption Supervisor at the Greater Lowell Area Office describes Tim as a “kind, caring and dedicated man” and he feels “truly fortunate to work with him.” According to Michelle Fyrer, Area Director at the Greater Lowell Area Office, as a social worker Tim is “by far one of the best and most talented but it is his ability to be a friend, peer and co-worker that also allows him to shine. Tim is an amazing human being who always comes to work willing to work hard, be a team player and a mentor.”

We at MARE have been very impressed by Tim’s clinical skills and his devotion to our children and to our mission. Tim is always eager to volunteer and help at matching and recruitment events and he always ensures that his kids are registered for our large matching events. We along with his supervisors feel very honored to work together with Tim on behalf of our children.

Nominated by Maurine Albano, Child Services Coordinator - Western Region

Soft spoken, thoughtful, thorough, and determined are words that instantly come to mind when I think of Katie who has worked with the adoption unit in the Berkshire DCF office for the past 9 years. Katie works through complex cases with patience and carefully thinks through the decisions that she makes for each of her children. She is dedicated and a strong advocate for always doing what is in the best interest of her children. She would never rush a placement. She understands that many children need more time to transition to change than others.

Katie has also taken advantage of all MARE services and recruitment opportunities. Even though she works in the furthest western DCF office she never hesitates to travel any distance needed to find families for her children.

She is able to communicate with all her children and potential adoptive families at their level regardless of their gender, age, ethnicity, culture, or disability. She has shown a non-judgmental attitude and an appreciation for diversity. She values individual differences in order to provide her kids with what they need in a family. Katie is an active listener with her children. She asks the right questions, allows her children to be part of their own adoption process and they work as a team. Being a team Katie and her children work together to find families who could be the best match for her children.

I recognize Katie as being one of the most successful adoption workers that I have worked with over the past 9 plus years.

Nominated by Mary Liz Nogueras, Outreach and Support Coordinator for Families of Color

5 Years and 9 months as a recruiter…

 I nominated Kashawn for this recognition because of his dedication to recruiting families who represent the kids and teens in foster care. I attend the monthly statewide recruiters' meetings and collaborate with Kashawn. He goes above and beyond ensuring we are always thinking about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. He spearheaded the Juneteenth kickoff event and helped facilitate a virtual info session that attendees found engaging and informative about fostering and adopting Black kids and teens. 

Va Lynda Robinson, a Recruitment Supervisor, said the following about Kashawn. 

Kashawn is the practitioner of “Moments matter…!”  Kashawn will take any moment, anywhere, any time to recruit foster and pre-adoptive parents.  He’s passionate about the work, and motivated by forging strong enduring relationships consequently creating allies in the community.

Nominated by Liz Joyal, Family Support Services Coordinator

Carlos Cunningham, Central Region ADLU Supervisor, is loved and appreciated by his DCF team and his friends at MARE. His ADLU team had glowing words for him when asked and they describe him as supportive of them as workers, compassionate, and deeply caring about his team and families alike. He is an advocate for his staff and the ADLU families he serves. One of his staff noted how family-focused he is and how that translates to his work in the way he cares for those around him. Another of his staff had the following to say about Carlos: “I have had the privilege of having Carlos as a supervisor for nearly half of my DCF career…. His professional and personal experiences have informed his work as a social worker and as a leader in the field of adoption and permanency in a way that I admire greatly.”

Here at MARE, we are delighted to honor Carlos as a partner in this adoption and permanency work we are engaged in together. He never hesitates to collaborate with us and is always willing to have a phone call to connect with us to help us collectively serve families and waiting children best. Thank you, Carlos!

Nominated by Ricardo Franco, Director of Family Support Services

Laurie is a Foster Care and Adoption Recruitment Supervisor at DCF Central Office. Laurie has worked with the Department for more than two decades and her supervisor describes her with these words: “Laurie is passionate about helping to provide information and support to families interested in learning about foster care and adoption.  Her dedication to her work is inspiring.” I have had the privilege of working collaboratively with her in providing guidance and support to families interested in adoption for the past five years. Laurie always responds promptly to emails and shows a genuine interest in helping families to navigate the initial stages of the process. Laurie has shown a spirit of true collaboration by inviting MARE’s family services staff to support the work of foster care recruiters. She also has contributed immensely to our efforts to reach out into faith-based communities and communities of color.  Thank you, Laurie, for your professionalism and collaboration.  

Nominated by Chelsea Hartman, Child Services Coordinator - Southern Region

Lynn Sheppard, an ADLU Supervisor in the Southern region, has been an incredibly helpful and welcoming person to work with. Lynn has been with the Southern ADLU for many years and will soon transition to a new role within DCF. Her dedication to her social workers and the youth and families she works with has been an inspiration and will be greatly missed. She is exceedingly supportive and always willing to go above and beyond. One of Lynn’s coworkers shared that she “has always advocated for the members of her unit and aside from the respect we have for her as our supervisor, we also consider her to be a dear friend. I will miss being supervised by Lynn but am very happy for her new opportunity within the agency!”

Here at MARE, Lynn has been phenomenal at helping to facilitate connections and collaboration between each of the area offices in the Southern Region. She is a kindhearted person who approaches her work with care. Lynn is knowledgeable and resourceful. We wish her the best of luck in her new position and will really miss her!

Nominated by Chelsea Hartman, Child Services Coordinator - Southern Region

Kim Rodriguez, an ADLU worker in the Southern region, has been a warm and compassionate presence within her unit and here at MARE. Kim is always going above and beyond to support the children and families that she works with, as well as her coworkers. She is an experienced, knowledgeable social worker who has been with DCF for over twenty years!

Kim’s supervisor describes her as incredibly hardworking and dedicated. She approaches this difficult work with humor and empathy. Kim puts her all in the day-to-day work and brings a wealth of knowledge to her interactions with her pre-adoptive families.

Here at MARE, we love working with Kim. She is easy to collaborate with. Kim is always willing to attend adoption events and lend a helping hand. It has been an absolute pleasure working with Kim!

Nominated by Janet Labadie-Kelley, Child Services Coordinator - Boston Region & Contracted Agencies

Janine’s dedication to the youth on her caseload became evident the first week I began with MARE, always going above and beyond for her youth. She travels throughout Massachusetts, sometimes as far as Worcester County and Plymouth County for her youth. Her caseload consists of various youth with complex needs. For that reason, she has worked one one-on-one with both my colleagues and me at MARE to support her youth’s recruitment needs. As a result, in the past two months, Janine has placed four youth with varied diagnoses of Autism, including a teen sibling group.

Tim Daley, her supervisor at the Hyde Park Office, describes Janine as, “a caring person committed to the welfare of her children, doing whatever is necessary to find forever families for her children. She is kind, gentle, and adored by her children and families.  She has great relationships with her children which enables her to find the best homes for them.  She is a pleasure to work with.” Janine has made a true impact on the lives of her youth. 

Nominated by Janet Labadie-Kelley, Child Services Coordinator - Boston Region & Contracted Agencies

I have had the opportunity to work Claudia on numerous occasions and her positive nature and commitment to youth in foster care and families is inspiring. Mary Ward, ADLU Supervisor of Boston Regional Office and her supervisor, stated, “Her bright smile and upbeat attitude exude the joy that she experiences in her work with  families and children.” As a recruiter, she educates families on preserving foster family and birth family relationships to the benefit of the youth on her caseload. In her meetings with her DCF offices, she has a kinship first philosophy when approaching recruitment and asks the important questions when it comes to recruitment strategies. Claudia  goes above and beyond to maintain her connections with MARE and utilizes her relationship with her Child Services Coordinator as part of her recruitment approach. She has an honest and detailed method in preparing families for the complexities of fostering to adopt from foster care is the steppingstone to successful placements. Claudia is an asset to youth in the foster care systems and the families hoping to adopt them.