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Jim Erickson, MA, ACSW, LCSW
Vice President for Programs
Jim brings over 35 years of experience to Sunny Ridge as a professional social worker. He has held clinical and administrative positions in both the private and public sectors in agencies serving children, families, and adults in the mental health and child welfare field. Jim is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Illinois. Jim received his Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. |
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Bob McNeill, Master of Divinity
Director of International Adoption Development and Humanitarian Outreach
Bob Began his career at Sunny Ridge in June 1968 and has previously served as the Director of International Adoption Services. He now oversees the humanitarian aid service activity for the agency, maintaining and developing direct service relationships with provider countries and/or partnering organizations for the purpose of establishing new adoption porograms. In 2006, in collaboration with the China Center of Adoption Affairs he established the Sunny Ridge Humanitarian Aid Program with the Putian Nursing Home of Love in Fujian Province, China. Bob is responsible for staff supervision, program development and coordination of all international adoption activities. |
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Bernie Laszewski, MSW, LCSW
Director of International Adoptions
Bernie directs all international adoption program services, including casework services, parent training and clinical/assessment services for families and individuals seeking to adopt internationally. Bernie has over 13 years of experience working with families and children. Bernie conducts intercountry adoption home studies and provides post placement services for Sunny Ridge clients. She greatly enjoys assisting families with their international adoption preparation process and escorting adoption travel groups to China. |
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Jessica Augsburger, MSW, LSW
International Adoption Social Worker
Jessica holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in social work and is a licensed social worker. She has a background in child welfare and has over five years of social work experience. At Sunny Ridge, Jessica currently conducts home studies and provides post placement services for the international program. She has also escorted adoptive parents to China for the placement of their children. |
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Julie L. Betts, MSW/LCSW
Guatemala Adoption Program Coordinator
Julie holds a Master's of Social Work degree and is a licensed clinical social worker. She has over 15 years social work and early childhood development experience. Julie handles the day to day activities of the Guatemala Adoption program, and provides home study and post placement services for all international programs. She has also traveled to China eight times to escort adoptive parents completing their adoptive placements. |
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Peggy Earwood
Adoption Services Assistant
Peggy coordinates many aspects of the China program’s domestic and foreign documentation. Peggy assures that every family’s dossier meets the requirements of the China Center For Adoption Affairs. She assists families in understanding the document authentication process for all 50 states. Peggy educates families regarding the State of Illinois licensing requirements for foster care, and coordinates child referral information and travel itineraries for Sunny Ridge China families. She has traveled to China with families on three occasions and manages critical details in the adoption process. |
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Julie Forgue, MSW, LCSW
Program Service Supervisor
Julie supervises the intake, post adoption, licensing and monitoring functions and related staff of the International Adoption Program Services in Illinois and Indiana. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work, with a specialization in management. Julie is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Illinois with a background in foster care and adoption. She has seven years of professional social work experience.Julie conducts home studies and provides post placement services for the international adoption program, and assists in preparation for the Council On Accreditation (COA) and Hague Accreditation processes. |
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Pam Gaston, MSW, LSW
International Adoption Coordinator
Pam holds a master of social work degree, is a licensed social worker in the State of Illinois, and has over 25 years experience working with families. Pam coordinates the international services and has established excellent relationships with our partner agencies, staying current on the status of international adoption requirements worldwide. She also conducts home studies and provides post placement services for the international program. She has prepared families for travel and has lead groups to China for the placement of their children. Pam is an experienced clinician and has an excellent knowledge of the procedural aspects involved in completing an international adoption. |
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Liz Korose
Adoption Services Assistant
Liz works in support of the international director and international staff. She responds to general information requests, assists adoptive parents with their needs, and interacts with placing resources as well. While other staff members personally meet with the adoptive parents, Liz generally works behind the scenes, following the process details. Liz is involved with document preparation, tracking, as well as paperwork processing – keeping the process moving a along for our many adoptive parents. |
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Gayle Timmer-Podowski, MS
Maternity and Foster Care Services
Gayle holds a Master of Science degree in family environment and has served at Sunny Ridge since 1990. Gayle helps facilitate domestic and international adoptions, as well as birth parent and foster care services. Gayle conducts domestic home studies and post placement services for Sunny Ridge from out of our Indiana office and in parts of Illinois. Gayle is the mother of two children, one adopted and one biological. |
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Li Jian Zhong (Bill)
China Adoption Specialist
Bill serves our China Adoption program, working and living in China. As families travel to China to complete their adoptions, Bill helps with translation and coordination, as families complete their adoption process. |
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