We are a not-for-profit, licensed adoption agency providing adoption services in the U.S.A.
Are you pregnant and considering making an adoption plan?
Call 1-800-982-3678 anytime or text us at 1-518-350-4581 M–F 8am–4pm EST
Meet Our Professional Team
Friends in Adoption (FIA), a not-for-profit adoption agency, is a network of dedicated, experienced, compassionate and friendly adoption professionals. Our focus is compassionate adoption. Although our administrative office is located in Vermont, we are able to provide free and confidential adoption services for pregnant women/couples anywhere in the United States. Our team members are deeply passionate about adoption, and many have experienced the miracle of adoption in their own lives. We all feel a personal connection with every adoption process. We cry and rejoice with every story. We have made a life commitment to adoption. We are Friends in Adoption.
Friends in Adoption promotes equal opportunity for all employees and applicants and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ancestry, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, military service obligation, veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. Our policies and personnel practices are intended to ensure that all are treated equally with regard to recruiting, hiring, and advancement, and decisions on employment are made to further the principle of equal employment opportunities for employees.
Tara Saltis has been part of the Friends in Adoption leadership team since 2004, and assumed the role of Executive Director in 2019. Tara works closely with the FIA team to make sure that every pregnant individual is supported and educated about their options so they can make informed decisions. She also aims to ensure the process is as efficient and affordable as possible for prospective adoptive parents. Tara is passionate about raising adoption awareness and providing ongoing post adoption support for all members of the adoption triad (the child, the birth parents, and the adoptive parents).
When you call our 800#, Diana is likely the friendly voice on the other end of the phone. Working out of the Vermont Office, Diana is the supervisor of case management and outreach, and works closely with women and couples who call FIA inquiring about adoption. Calm, kind, and conscientious, Diana is a key member of the FIA team!
The following are letters to Diana from women with whom she has worked that offer testimony to Diana’s professionalism and care:
“Hi Diana, It’s been a while since we last spoke….I have tried several times to write to you but could never finish it, so here goes again… After looking through the packet you sent me and talking to the father of the baby, there has been some changes. Since we last spoke, I have had a miscarriage. Like I said previously, I have tried several times to send you an email but could never bring myself to finish it. I guess all things work out for a reason whatever that happens to be. I do truly and whole-heartedly thank you for being there for me. To know that someone is out there that truly cares and is not judgmental and is willing to help… that really helped me. I think you guys to a wonderful work for people. Not only for the ones that end up pregnant but for the families that truly want a child of their own. I greatly appreciate all our talks. I always felt better after talking to you. If I hear of anyone else that needs your services, I will definitely put them in contact with you. You seem to really care and the families you are trying to help sound like they would make great parents!!! Thank you again for everything and most of all for being there for me when I needed a friend. I will always remember you… May God always bless you and your coworkers” — Sincerely, Emily
“Dear Diana, Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything you have done for me. Words cannot express how grateful I am for all of your help along the way. When my counselor from Planned Parenthood found you after calling several other agencies who could not help me, it made me realize that there are people out there that truly care and want to help. I was so happy and surprised when I received your packet of information and realized that I could choose the adoptive family! There were so many wonderful families to choose from, but I know I made exactly the right choice with Jeff and Marie. They are the perfect parents for my daughter, and they treat me like part of their family and with such respect. We are in contact through email several times a year, and we plan on getting together at least once every year. I had never heard about open adoption before talking with you. I know that some women choose closed adoption and I respect their choices too, but this is so right for me. Again, thank you for all you have done and I know that Friends in Adoption is always there for me.” — Audry, a birth mother
“Hi Diana, Sorry I haven’t been responding. But, thanks for being patient with me and understanding my situation. After much through and consideration, I have decided to keep the baby. I know it will be a struggle, but I have my family’s support. Thank you for every single thing you have done for me. If it wasn’t for you, this child would not be getting the prenatal care he so rightly deserves. Again, I thank you and praise you for working so diligently with me. I will keep your information in case there are any changes in the near future. But for now, I am proceeding with the pregnancy.” — Sincerely, Alyssa
Kate is an experienced licensed social worker who is an expert in a variety of adoption issues, including transracial and visible adoption. In addition to providing home study services for pre-adoptive families, she supervises all social workers who provide FIA home studies.
Senior Case Manager and Community Outreach Provider
Glenville, Schenectady County, NY
Patty has been with FIA for more than seven years. She manages cases, provides in-service training workshops and community outreach and education.
“Deciding to place my baby for adoption was nerve racking and difficult. Obviously I came to the conclusion on my own that I was making the right decision, but I don’t know how I would have made it through without Patty Smith. She was there for me right from the beginning, and literally all the way through delivery!! I don’t know if I’ve ever known someone who was as perfectly suited for her job as Patty is for hers. She is one of the kindest and most compassionate women I have ever met, and I am so happy to have her in my life.” – Kim, birth mother
From left: Patty, Kim, Chris, Baby Ryan and Keith
“When we embarked on the adoption process for the first time, Patty provided incredible support at every step. Her genuine warmth, humor, and kindness throughout really smoothed the process. She also created a great platform for us and our son’s birth mother to build a strong and enduring relationship with one another. When we adopted our second son Jake two years later, it was a huge relief to have Patty working with us again. She’ll forever feel like family to us and we’ll always be grateful for all of her hard work.” – Chris, Keith, Ryan & Jake, adoptive family
“There couldn’t possibly have been a better fit for us than Patty as our case manager! It was easy to forget that she actually worked with anyone else besides us! We’ve always told our daughter, Cecelia, that Patty was her first friend. She has come to know and love Patty as we do. Cecelia said, “I like Patty because she likes me…I look forward to seeing her.” Although we see her only twice each year, she is with us daily, in our hearts. We are so grateful for the care and consideration she so readily gave us.” – Gary and Carrie, adoptive parents
Patty with Cecelia at a recent Friends in Adoption Annual Picnic
“Patty has the kind of steady hand that is so important to a successful adoption. Having traveled the adoption journey herself, we think Patty brings the perfect blend of professionalism and personal touch to her work. We admire her and love her.” – Nina Rumbold and Denise Seidelman, Adoption Attorneys
“Patty had frequent conversations with us … I remember the excitement and relief when we were told that we could select the family that our baby would become a part of. [After we had selected the family,] we called Patty with our decision and from then on Patty had ever “t” crossed and every “i” dotted! We feel such pride, honor, and gratitude in our lives for Patty Smith, who will forever be a special angel in our lives.” — Lisa, a birth mother
Patty Smith is Friends in Adoption Case Manager and Community Outreach Provider. She also manages cases with expectant women/couples and adoptive parents, provides in-service training workshops and community outreach and education. Patty is universally adored, and she has been an integral member of the FIA team since 2007.
Jean-Charles handles all aspects of digital marketing and website development for FIA. He also expertly guides FIA families through the process of developing prospective adoptive family profiles. He and his team work with FIA to develop and produce all print and online publications.
Jean-Charles is also an FIA Alumnus. He and his husband Joe adopted 3 girls with the help of Friends in Adoption.
Cassandra is a passionate Case Manager and Community Outreach Provider who works closely with pregnant individuals and those who are considering their options. She takes the time to truly assess the individual’s needs and help them come up with a plan that they are most comfortable and confident in. Cassandra also works with Adoptive Families towards placement by providing them with clear communication and support.
“Thanks so much Cassandra! I received such a nice email from Sarah the other day. It warmed my heart and almost made me cry. She is an amazing woman. I’m so happy for Lily to have such a strong birth mom. One who really cares so deeply and knows she’s done the right thing. One whom I am proud to know and proud for Lily to get to know. And from my end, all I can say is thank you. Thank you for your help and insight. For your support and understanding. For being there to help me make this dream a reality. The pieces fell into place in a way I never imagined possible. You all at FIA amaze me. It was a long long road, but I feel very blessed to have taken it. Thank you.”
–Katherine, adoptive mother
“It was such a pleasure speaking with you on the phone. My goodness, thank you for your compassion with me. I have no words to tell you how much it means.”
Kelsey is a Case Manager and Community Outreach Provider who works closely with pregnant women and couples who are looking to learn more about adoption. She is committed to providing a kind and compassionate safe place to assess individual needs and provide support, as she knows there is no single plan that works for everyone. Kelsey is also available as a resource about adoption for adoptive families and professional organizations.
“Your support made this difficult situation and process so easy for me today! I am forever indebted. Thank you!”
–Alyssa, birth mother
“I can’t thank you enough for the incredible support and help you and FIA have been.”
New York and Vermont: Laurie is a licensed mental health counselor in private practice in New York State who works with FIA to provide counseling to pregnant women and expectant couples. She is an expert in adoption issues and also provides adoption home study services to prospective adoptive families. Additionally, Laurie coordinates a birth mother support group.
Westchester County, NY: Jennifer is a clinical social worker in private practice in Westchester County, NY who works with FIA to provide counseling to pregnant women and expectant couples. She is an expert in adoption issues and also provides adoption home study services to prospective adoptive families.
New York City: Samantha is a clinical social worker in private practice in New York City who works with FIA to provide counseling to pregnant women and expectant couples. She is an expert in adoption issues and also provides adoption home study services to prospective adoptive families.
Vermont and New Hampshire: Corky is a clinical social worker in private practice in Vermont who works with FIA to provide counseling to pregnant women and expectant couples. She is an expert in adoption issues and also provides adoption home study services to prospective adoptive families.
Johna has been an ambitious volunteer with FIA for more than a year now. She provides outreach services to counties in downstate NY. She visits local hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices; anywhere she can to get Friends in Adoption’s name out there and to talk about the services that we provide to pregnant women/couples and adoptive parents. Johna provided a free workshop to a group of social workers in the NYC area; she was so well received that they called to let us know how “helpful and informative” she was and they “could not wait to share our information”. Johna provides these services for us with such great enthusiasm and dedication to FIA. We are lucky to have her on the team, along with her knowledge and love for what she is doing!
