 Jennifer
Bessemer-Marando is the Co-Founder of A Child's
Waiting. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
and a Master’s Degree in Counseling. She is a
licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). She
has worked in Child Welfare for 12 years. Her area of
specialty has been attachment and bonding issues in
children who have suffered abuse and neglect. Jennifer
enjoys working in the field of adoption and mental health.
She has two children, Morgan and Evan as well as one
adoptive daughter named Grace who came home at the age
of 17 years. She feels that everyone coming through
the adoption program, be they a birth mother, child
or adoptive family, is a part of a larger family. Both
Jennifer and her sister Crissy are committed to working
with all member of the adoption triad. Jennifer enjoys
spending time with her children and travel. |
Crissy Bessemer-Kolarik is the Co-Founder
of A Child's Waiting. She has a Bachelor’s Degree
in Art Therapy and a Master’s Degree in Counseling.
She is a licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).
She has worked in Child Welfare for 11years. Her area
of specialty has been with children that were victims
of sexual abuse, as well as children displaying inappropriate
sexual behavior. Crissy entered into adoption work after
counseling teenagers who would never experience the
joys of a “forever family”. Crissy and her
sister Jennifer opened A Child’s Waiting Adoption
Program together after several years at separate agencies.
They felt inspired to help the children who needed families
the most. Crissy has two birth children and recently
adopted an infant through an open adoption. Crissy enjoys
spending time with family, visiting with friends, and
traveling. |
 Ronda
Berger is the Adoption Program Supervisor.
Ronda is married and has three active children. Ronda
enjoys working with all members of the adoptive triad. |
Lisa Cioffi is a graduate
of the University of Akron with a Master's Degree in
Community Counseling. Lisa also attended the University
of Akron for her undergraduate degree that she completed
in Family Development. Lisa works primarily with birth
mothers throughout the adoption process as a counselor
and case manager. Lisa has worked in Child Welfare for
the past eight years. |
Andrea Rubinstein
has been with A Child’s Waiting since 2000. She
is a licensed social worker and a certified adoption
assessor. She conducts homestudies, birth parent counseling,
as well as other related adoption work. Andrea has worked
both in the public and private sectors of adoption and
has a total of 12 years experience in the field of social
work. She lives in Columbus with her husband Jeff, daughter
Lexi, and son Micah. |
 Christin
Bartunek MSEd, PCC is a professional Clinical
Counselor and Certified Adoption Assessor. She has experience
working in child welfare with children who have been
affected by trauma for the past 9 years. She currently
works with all members of the adoption triad. She lives
in Columbus with her husband, son, and numerous pets.
|
 Joyce
Johnson holds a MA in Mass Communications from the
University of Akron and a BS in Telecommunications and
Advertising from Ohio University. She has worked in
radio, television and print for more than 25 years and
also has taught communications at the University of
Akron. Joyce has also done work for Voice of America
in Washington D.C, CNN, and PBS. Joyce was inducted
into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2000. |
Tracy Deitrick was employed as
a Licensed Social Worker for ten years in both public
and private agencies with families and children. Her
expertise is with children experiencing behavior issues.
She is currently a certified Adoption Assessor and Case
Manager and has been with A Child's Waiting
for the past 4 years. Tracy and her husband have
a 5 year-old son and a 2 year-old daughter
and live in the Akron area.
|
 Rachelle
Sayre is a graduate of The University of Akron
with a Bachelors in Social Work and an Associates in Criminal
Justice. She is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW). She has
worked in Child Welfare for the last 4 years in Foster
Care/Adoption. She loves children and bringing families
together. She lives with her husband and three daughters
in Rittman. |
