This week, our public relations intern sat down with Nicole Fowler, Adoptions From The Heart’s Director of Social Services. Fowler takes on many roles with AFTH, and in her personal life, she is also a foster mother. Below is a look at the Q-&-A style conversation that begins our National Adoption Month blog series.
About Nicole Fowler’s Role and Work at AFTH
Question: Could you share more about your role with AFTH and what it entails?
Answer: Nicole is the Director of Social Services for Adoptions From The Heart, District Supervisor for Virginia, and Regional Supervisor for AFTH’s Allentown & Connecticut offices. In this role, Fowler focuses on the development of educational courses, learning how to best suit the needs of all, current and future, AFTH families. She is dedicated to being a support for all team members, while working to be a lifeline to the team when challenges arise.
Question: What inspires you to do the work that you do?
Answer: Nicole first came to AFTH over 15 years ago by interviewing a social worker. She learned that there is so much that goes into making an adoption plan, and valued the courage needed to make such plan. Understanding the gains and losses the adoption triad experiences, while boosting up the adoptee is a big inspiration to the work that she does. “Thinking of the children that are placed for adoption [is what keeps me motivated],” Fowler told us.
Question: What is one of your strategic goals for AFTH and why?
Answer: Fowler hopes to put an emphasis on education and support for all members of the adoption triad, and those considering adoption. “I want to have the best families and social workers to work with those that are considering adoption… I trust and believe in our program so much, that I want [families] to find us,” she shared.
Question: Could you share some of the educational resources that AFTH offers, and what inspires the specific courses?
Answer: AFTH focuses much attention on educating about the fundamental aspects of adoption, leading adoptees to feel more comfortable and confident with their identity. Classes are available that focus on intersectionality, transracial adoption, and non-newborn adoption, among others. Educational series feature panels, lectures, and information for families considering adoption. Find an educational program that is right for you!
Question: What is one of your favorite parts of working with AFTH?
Answer: The yearly picnic is nice to see families connect while being excited and happy amongst each other. Fowler noted that it is heartwarming to see families grow toward an open relationship with their birth parents, spending time with each other in other settings. Find an AFTH event near you!
Question: What is a common misconception you look to address while working in the adoption field?
Answer: Children are often expected to be confused by adoption, but that is not true. Nicole shared that people should not be ashamed for their decisions. “[Birthparents] are some of the best people I have ever known,” Fowler shared. Additionally, there is often a high need for non-newborns to be placed with families.
Question: How has your work and the goals of such changed over time?
Answer: Since Nicole started as an intern and moved to administration, she has done a lot with AFTH. Now she focuses on the macro-level of AFTH as a whole. After 10+ years of casework, Fowler uses her experience to develop programming and works to review cases alongside the team, while supervising social services. She shared that she is constantly taking in new information through books and other media in order to educate herself.
Question: What advice do you have for families who are considering adoption?
Answer: For prospective adoptive parents there are so many ways to go about adoption. “It takes time,” Fowler shared. It is important to connect with other members of the adoption triad to hear their stories. For expectant parents, it is important to have local support. Working with an agency that believes in open adoption and will provide services post-adoption planning is crucial to feel supported.
Question: Could you share some of your personal experiences and lessons learned from being a foster parent?
Answer: There is such a great need for foster homes. One thing that AFTH can do is perform a home study to assist people in finding matches themselves. Foster families often need lots of support from the community around them, helping to build up their families with a sense of belonging.
The Importance of National Adoption Month (NAM)
Question: What does National Adoption Month mean to you?
Answer: National Adoption Month is a time to celebrate everyone who has experienced the adoption process. There are positive and negative experiences in the process of adoption, but we need to share those stories to boost everyone up.
Question: What do you think is most important to share during NAM?
Answer: Always continue sharing information from those who have lived through adoption. “We all have to educate ourselves but listening and having a platform for all to share their experiences [allows people to feel confident and comfortable to speak out].”
Read more about National Adoption Month here.
