Farmington Hills Staff
Office Director
Paula Springer
Director of Eastern Michigan Offices
Paula Springer came to AAI in 1994 when the agency was looking to further develop services throughout the entire state. Beginning as a birth mother and adoptive family caseworker, Paula eventually moved into the role of supervisor, and now serves as Director of the Eastern Michigan offices. She and her husband, Mark, are long time residents in the Farmington Hills area and live a busy and active family-centered lifestyle. They have four children, from teenagers to adults, with two currently in college.
Paula especially enjoys the work of promoting adoption in the community, building referral sources, and educating others about the positive, loving choice of adoption. Paula feels privileged to be a part of the blessing of building families and supporting birth parents through the mission of adoption.
Domestic Supervisor
Laurie Larson
Domestic Casework Manager/Birth Mother Caseworker
Laurie came to AAI in September 2001 and now has twenty years of social work experience. She has a BA in English from North Park University, and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seattle Pacific University.
“Adoption work gives me an opportunity to impact people’s lives in a positive way and offer valuable services to all parties involved. I’ve also got a nephew who came into our family through adoption and have seen first hand that joy that adoption brings.“
She and Ken have been married for over 30 years and have two grown children who live out of state. She also has one grandchild. Her hobbies are reading and volunteering.
Domestic Staff
Julie Dybdahl
Adoptive Family Caseworker
In 1997, Julie joined Adoption Associates, Inc., after working for 20 years in mental health services. She has a master’s degree in social work, and loves working with adoptive families from home study to after a child is placed with them. Julie believes she holds the happiest social work position possible—bringing children to their homes. She and her husband have two daughters, one by birth and one by adoption, and they can’t remember which one is which!
Janet Forde
Birth Mother Caseworker/Adoptive Family Caseworker
Janet joined Adoption Associates, Inc. in 2003, primarily as a birth mom caseworker. She also completes adoptive family home studies. Janet’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in social work, both from the University of Michigan. Before coming to AAI, she worked for seven years as a medical social worker; prior to that, she worked for almost ten years as a pregnancy counselor/adoption caseworker at Methodist Children’s Home. She left her job as a medical social worker because she missed working in the field of adoption.
Janet works at the Farmington Hills office and resides in Ypsilanti. Her interests include music, water skiing, jet skiing, downhill skiing, and attending U of M football games. Janet also has two dogs and two cats, and she volunteers at the Humane Society. She feels it is very rewarding finding permanent homes for children and helping couples who are unable to have children biologically become a family.
Elizabeth Gabel
Birth Mother Casework Assistant
Elizabeth joined AAI in 2003, after homeschooling her three children through high school. She has a BA in Communications and Volunteer Administration from MSU and previously worked in retail. Elizabeth has been married for 25 years and is a member of the Milford Historical Society. She is a Master Gardener, and also enjoys knitting and crocheting. Elizabeth is grateful to be at Adoption Associates to help facilitate the process of building families through adoption.
Dawn Swanson
Birth Mother Caseworker
In 2003, Dawn began her work with birth mothers at Adoption Associates, Inc. Her education includes a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in social work from Wayne State University. She also holds a certificate in family and couple therapy and is a certified social worker. Dawn has three years experience working in foster care, as well as experience in individual and group therapy. She enjoys meeting with a Bible study in her free time.
Since she can remember, Dawn has wanted to work with families, and she finds adoption to be the most rewarding work in the field. Dawn has seven adopted cousins with two more on the way.
Amy Jordan
Adoptive Family Caseworker
Amy began working for AAI in March of 2003 completing home studies, after staying home with her children for several years. She received her master’s degree in social work in 1993, then worked in several hospitals as a medical social worker. Since 1999, Amy has given birth to three daughters. She chose to pursue work in adoption because her mother was adopted as an infant; her mother’s experience led her to develop a significant interest in this field. Because she finds her work at AAI enjoying and rewarding, she looks forward to continuing to help families through the adoption process.
Sharon A. Killen
Adoptive Family Caseworker
After working as a case aide from 2000-2001, Sharon rejoined AAI’s staff in June, 2007 as an adoptive family caseworker. She has a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and worked at DaimlerChrysler for 17 years before leaving the workforce to become a full-time at-home mother. In 2003, Sharon completed a master’s degree in social work from Wayne State University and holds a Certification for Marriage and Family Therapy from the same organization. Sharon’s recent employment history includes facilitating adoptions through the foster care system in the Detroit area. In addition to her work at AAI, she also counsels couples and families.
About working at AAI, Sharon says, “I love helping couples realize their dreams in all areas of their lives, but nothing gives me greater pleasure than helping them realize the dream of creating a new family (especially transracially) through adoption.” Sharon and her husband, Ron, achieved their dream of family when they adopted their twin daughters through AAI’s biracial program. When she is not working, Sharon enjoys gardening, skiing, reading (therapy books and the Bible), exercising, and participating in church activities. She lives in Rochester with her family.
Jennifer Muhn
Birth Mother Caseworker
Jenny came to AAI in July of 2006 with a bachelors of social work from Western Michigan University. She worked with children and the elderly before taking on her social work title. Jenny enjoys spending time with her husband and her cats, and had her first child, Madison, in February 2007.
Cynthia Willey
Adoptive Family Caseworker
Cynthia Willey joined AAI in 2006 and works as an adoptive family caseworker, completing home studies. She has a B.S.W. from Wayne State University and a M.S.W. from the University of Michigan. Before coming to AAI, Cynthia worked for ten years as a case manager and social worker at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and thus became familiar with adoption from a social worker standpoint. When asked about her job at AAI, Cynthia says, “ What a pleasure to be surrounded by enthusiastic workers who truly believe in adoption. I am excited to explore a new career path with AAI.”
Cynthia lives with her husband, Craig, and golden retriever, Maizey, in Livonia. In her free time, Cynthia enjoys reading, cooking, running, going to the movies, traveling, and spending time with her family.
International Staff
Mary Ann Antoniotti
Adoptive Family Caseworker
Mary Ann has worked at AAI since July, 2002. She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Michigan State University and worked for 30 years with FIA (Family Independence Agency). She resides in Bloomfield Hills and is married with one child. Mary Ann has a personal interest in helping others with adoption, as she herself has adopted internationally and was also adopted.
Heidi Cole
Adoptive Family Caseworker
Heidi joined Adoption Associates, Inc. in May 2004 as a caseworker, completing both domestic and international home studies for adoptive families. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Calvin College and a master’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University.
She lives in Farmington Hills with her husband, Nate, their daughter, Sasha (adopted through AAI in 2007), and their dog, Kaci.
Heidi has worked in a residential facility for adolescents and with families at a homeless shelter. She also has experience in medical social work, as well as in the court systems as a probation officer for juveniles. It has always been a dream of Heidi’s to work in adoption, and she enjoys the opportunity to connect children with loving families.
Jodi Griesman
Guatemala Consultant
Jodi joined AAI in February of 1999. She received her master's degree in social work from Wayne State University. After four years of working with birth parents and adoptive families in the domestic program, Jodi adjusted her focus towards international adoption and has been a Guatemala consultant since 2003. Jodi and her husband, Randy, are proud parents to their three children and live in Troy. Jesse is their oldest son and was adopted from Guatemala. Samuel is their son by birth. Their youngest, Sofia, was also adopted from Guatemala.
Jodi finds that working with families in adoption is very rewarding. She educates families who are adopting internationally about the importance of culture and openness. Jodi counts it as a blessing to have a transracial family formed by adoption.
Rebecca Hobson
Adoptive Family Caseworker/Russia Consultant
Rebecca joined AAI in December of 2006 and works as an adoptive family caseworker and Russia consultant. Her education includes both a bachelor's and master's degree in Russian and East European studies from the University of Michigan. After graduating from the U of M, Rebecca worked for three years assisting with the resettlement of Russian refugees in the Metro Detroit area. She also has over five years of experience providing services to families and children involved with the state child welfare system. Rebecca returned to school after working in the social service field and earned her master's degree in social work from Wayne State University.
Rebecca lives in Ferndale with her husband, Brent, and two sons, Zachary and Jacob. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and learning about different people and cultures. As part of her education, Rebecca spent extensive time studying and traveling in the former Soviet Union. She is very excited to share her understanding and appreciation of the Russian culture with AAI families. Says Rebecca, "International adoption offers a unique opportunity to experience the wonders of a new country and the joys of becoming new parent(s) at the same time. What an incredible way to build a family! I feel truly blessed to be a part of guiding people on this amazing journey."
Lisa O’Neil
China Consultant
Lisa holds a BA in Social Work with a minor in Public Administration from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. Born and raised in Canada, Lisa recently relocated to Michigan from Ottawa, Canada. Prior to coming to work for AAI at the end of 2005, Lisa worked with children and youth in various recreational and educational settings, including schools and daycares. She was drawn to the adoption field after her first cousin was adopted from China, and after she traveled to China to assist in the adoption of her sister. “The trip to China was life changing for me and I hope to help others experience this wonderful journey.” Lisa enjoys reading, traveling, and politics.
