Eastern Michigan 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.
Casework Staff
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.
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.
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.
Jeanette Warnshuis
Adoptive Family Caseworker
Jeanette came to Adoption Associates in May of 2002. She holds a degree in Applied Psychology/Emphasis in Family and Children from Cedarville College. Her great love of children steered her towards working in both residential and out patient treatment settings with children and the adults involved with them prior to coming to AAI. She is married to John and has two daughter, Caitlin and Carissa. Both of them came to Jeanette through the miracle of adoption. Jeanette spends most of her spare time being involved with her girls' activities at home, church, and school. Jeanette says there are many reasons she enjoys working in adoption. Perhaps the best part of her job is being a part of the celebration when one of the families with whom she works brings a child home. She delights in seeing their dreams of building their families finally come true!
Rebecca Hobson
Adoptive Family Caseworker
Rebecca joined AAI in December of 2006 and works as an adoptive family caseworker. 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."
