From Sara Lively, M.S.Ed., Founder of Adoption Paths
With more than twenty years of professional experience, along with personal experience as an adoptive mother, I am uniquely qualified to guide you as you embark on your adoption journey – whether you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, considering adoption, or ready to bring home your baby.
My highest priorities are ethics and compassion in the adoption process. I intentionally keep my practice small (serving no more than 20 adopting parents at one time) to provide hands-on, personalized service. My small caseload gives adopters-to-be (as part of a small pool of clients) the greatest possible exposure to potential birth parents who respond to my advertising and outreach, and also gives pregnant women the most possible personal support. I am the principal contact at Adoption Paths, working with associates as specialized needs arise.
Professional and Personal Background
After earning my Masters Degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania, I worked for many years as the Executive Director of three nonprofit organizations serving women and children in crisis. This experience gave me the skills I use today to support and guide all members of the adoption triad. As they come together around the placement of an infant, birth parents and adopting parents are typically under great stress, and all need the validation and empathy I provide.
In 2000 with my husband, after raising my birth son to adulthood, I became the mother of a newborn boy whose courageous birth parents chose us to become his parents. With my first-hand experience with open adoption, I’m dedicated to the benefits of openness, and yet respectful of the wishes of birth and adoptive parents. Just as no two children are alike, there’s no “cookie cutter” approach to any adoption process.
While my life as an adoptive mother informs and inspires me, I take very seriously the importance of the professional qualifications that are necessary to do this work well. In addition to my experience in crisis intervention during my prior career in nonprofit organizations, I’ve chosen to participate in the best adoption-related trainings through the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, Ethica, the North American Council on Adoptable Children, Pact: An Adoption Alliance, the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, and more.
I also have specialized training in addiction and prenatal substance exposure – important issues in the adoption process which are too often overlooked by other adoption professionals.
Recognized as expert in my field, I currently teach adoption classes and seminars at various colleges in Northern California. I also lead adoption groups and workshops for Open Path (formerly Resolve of Northern California).
As an adoption facilitator registered with the state of California in compliance with state laws that regulate my profession, I meet the highest possible standards, and qualify to serve pregnant women and adopting parents outside of California. I work hand in hand only with the best adoption agencies and attorneys in the country.
I look forward to the honor of serving you.
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