March is Social Work Month, during which we honor the social workers who make our mission possible. Social workers support our community in integral, everyday ways. Whether they are emotionally supporting an adoptive family or bringing a last-minute car seat to a birth mother in need, social workers are there for it all. Today, we’re celebrating Stephanie Capriotti, Adoption From The Heart’s longest-serving social worker.
Stephanie’s Social Work Journey
Stephanie started at Lebanon College in Pennsylvania as a pre-med student. However, she soon realized doctors didn’t spend nearly as much time with patients as she preferred. Stephanie wanted to be more hands-on. Upon having this discussion with her professor, it was recommended that Stephanie change her major to Social Work.
After her major change, Stephanie took an adoption course, which piqued her interest. The course’s professor was an adoptive mother working on the board at AFTH. With a new Harrisburg office opening, the professor urged Stephanie to apply. Stephanie had previously learned about AFTH a few years prior when her cousin was adopted through our agency. Stephanie applied for the open social work position, and two weeks before graduating, she got an offer. And as Stephanie puts it, “the rest was history!”
According to Stephanie, AFTH stands out from other agencies because we have never lost sight of our mission. She goes on to say,
“We’ve never really lost sight of what Maxine truly wanted when she started the agency. So, I think that has just been our core and sort of our foundation in that openness is the most important thing and we never lost sight of making sure that [for] all the parties that our involved we’re doing [what’s] in the best interest of them and the best interest of the adoptees at the end of the day.”
Having been with AFTH for over half of our 40 years in business, Stephanie has been with us through many changes and much growth. When sharing her favorite changes, Stephanie highlighted the increase in adoptive parent education and other wrap-around services. She explains that while we have always required adoptive parent counseling, “there’s so much more now, and it continues through the adoption process.” Stephanie also spotlighted our numerous support groups, which are now offered to the entire adoptive triad — birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive parents.
Life for Stephanie Today
Stephanie has moved up the ranks at AFTH, currently serving as Adoption Counselor & District Supervisor of the Central Pennsylvania office. She’s still very much involved with clients and loves to share her knowledge — thereby bettering our processes and the experiences of the AFTH community.
Her biggest takeaway? Patience and empathy. Stephanie explains that everyone is different, so we don’t all process information identically. There are many processes at play in adoption, including the hospital’s process and the legal processes. Therefore, she says remaining patient and empathetic with families is crucial to “allow individuals space in these life-changing decisions and moments… [so they can] make the best decision for them and their children.”
After 24 years with AFTH, Stephanie remains as high-spirited and dedicated as ever. She’s a backbone for our community and embodies the passion and love that ground AFTH’s mission. We appreciate all that you do, Stephanie! Thank you from the entire AFTH community for always bringing your best.
