Philosophical Perspective
Adoption Options is a non-religiously affiliated, non-profit agency accepting clients, irrespective of age, religion, ethnic or racial background, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability. Adoption Options is an agency committed to helping clients devise an adoption plan that is tailored to their individual needs and wishes.
Staff/Board
The qualified and dedicated staff of Adoption Options in Colorado can provide adoption counseling and information for a variety of situations (including but not limited to):
- Unplanned Pregnancy Counseling in Colorado
- Abortion Alternatives in Colorado
- Domestic & International Adoptions
- Adult Adoptee Search Services
Call Adoption Options for information specific to your adoption questions.
Adoption Options Staff:
Adrienne Elliott, LCSW - Executive Director - Adrienne has been employed at the University of Denver as a trainer for the past three years. Before that, she worked for Adoption Options as the Placement Supervisor and Assistant Director for almost 3 ½ years. Prior to that, she worked at Jefferson County Social Services as the Adoption Supervisor and was with Jefferson County for almost 8 ½ years. Adrienne holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Purdue University. She brings with her over 20 years of child welfare and adoption experience.
Lori Devlyn, MSW – Program Manager & Placement Supervisor – Lori first came to Adoption Options as an intern in 1995. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver.
Bryan Marley – Administrative Assistant/Program Coordinator – a native of Oklahoma, Bryan joined the staff at Adoption Options in October 2012. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from St. Gregory’s University (Shawnee, OK) in 2005. Before coming to Colorado, Bryan worked as the Company Manager/Production Coordinator for the Tulsa Opera where he garnered an immense love for music and the Arts. He feels privileged to be part of such dedicated group of individuals that are focused on a very real need within our society.
Carmen Munsch – Finance Manager – Carmen joined Adoption Options in May of 2012. She has worked in the adoption field for 7 years; prior to that, she worked in corporate marketing. She grew up on a farm in South Dakota & earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. She has one daughter.
Courtney Empson-Whaley - Flexible Families Caseworker – Courtney started working for Adoption Options in July 2012. A Colorado native she graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2008 with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She worked as a Victim Advocate for 2 years in Greeley, CO before moving back to Denver and starting her career in Social Work. Courtney has been in the field for almost 4 years working as a Foster Care Case Manager, Adoption Worker, Foster Home Coordinator and Mental Health Worker. In the future she plans on getting her Master’s in Clinical Counseling.
Diana Alcala – Legal Liaison/Administrative Assistant – Diana joined the staff at Adoption Options in May 2011. She recieved her Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado in 2010.
Jacinta Deruso, MSW- Adoptive Family Case worker/ Flexible Families Case worker- Jacinta joined Adoption Options in January of 2012 as an intern. Born and raised in Colorado, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. After earning her Bachelor’s degree she worked in child welfare for two years in the state of Missouri before deciding to return home to Colorado. Once in Colorado, she earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.
Julia Guntle, BA - Birth Parent Counselor/Adoptive Family Caseworker – Julia joined Adoption Options in 2011. Julia lives in Grand Junction and does contract work in Western Colorado. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a concentration in human services from Colorado Mesa University. Previously she has worked in both child protection and education. She is married and has two children.
Kara Fynaardt- Birthparent Counselor – Kara started at Adoption Options as an intern in September 2011 and was hired on as a caseworker in June 2012. Kara is originally from Iowa and earned her Bachelors in Social Work from Northwestern College. She worked at a domestic violence shelter in Iowa for two years before moving to Denver in 2011. She received her Master of Social Work from the University of Denver in 2012.
Leslie Dezendorf, MSW – Birth Parent Counselor/Adoptive Family Caseworker – Leslie joined Adoption Options in October, 2006. She does contract work for the southwestern part of Colorado, including Durango, where she lives. Previously, Leslie worked as a child and family therapist in a mental health center for ten years. Originally from Florida, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching from Ft. Lewis College, and her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Adams State College.
Marianne Anderson, LCSW – Cradle Care and Foster Care Placement Supervisor - Marianne has been working for Adoption Options on and off for 14 years. She graduated from DU in 1990 with a MSW Degree. She is LCSW licensed in both California and Colorado. Marianne has over 25 years of experience workingwith children and families. Marianne is married and has three boys.
Sarah Olsen, LCSW – Adoptive Family Caseworker & International Program Specialist – Sarah joined Adoption Options in April, 2008. Previously, she worked for a county department of social services and a teen parenting program. Sarah is originally from Wyoming and she earned her Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Puget Sound, and then moved to Denver in 2003, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work for the University of Denver.
Janelle Schultz – Event & Marketing Coordinator – Janelle began her career with Adoption Options in November, 2012. She has obtained a great amount of marketing, communications and event planning skills in her previous work experience. Janelle has a bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin – Stout and is currently working on obtaining her MBA from Colorado State University.
Cradle Care Families:
Cradle care families are licensed homes that provide interim care for a newborn or child awaiting a plan of adoption. Each family provides a nurturing and loving environment for one newborn or child at a time, and the birthparent(s) and/or adoptive parents may visit the child while he or she is in cradle care. Cradle care families receive a small stipend for their volunteer services. Cradle care families complete an initial core training and are certified in infant and child CPR and First Aid. Ongoing education is provided for cradle care families in the form of monthly trainings held at the agency. Cradle care homes are located thoughout Colorado. For more information, please contact Marianne Anderson at 303-695-1601.
Board of Directors:
Steve Loux – Chair
DeAnna Koepke- Vice Chair
Jason Cobb
Robert Shikiar
Susan Scott
Scott Pegues
Erik Fuller
Jan Mazotti
If you or someone you know would be interested in serving on the Adoption Options’ Board of Directors, please contact Adrienne Elliot at 303-695-1601.