THE STAFF AT ADOPTION ACCESS
Adoption Access, a Texas licensed adoption agency, has been serving the state since 1992. We work with women, both those just considering their options and those already planning adoption, to provide guidance and support with non-judgment and compassion. We also work with adoptive parents looking to make a loving, lifelong commitment to a child, one who will be thoughtfully and deliberately placed in their care.
Recognizing that the needs of each of the involved parties — birthmothers, adoptive parents and adopted children – will differ, we address each case individually, providing personalized care for all, every step of the way.
Debbie Hug
Executive Director/ Licensed Child Placement Administrator
Debbie started Adoption Access, a Texas licensed adoption agency, in 1992 with the purpose of providing more extensive counseling to birthmothers.
She considers it a privilege to be part of such a profound time in someone’s life, whether birthparent, adoptive parent or child, and daily demonstrates her tremendous respect for every young woman faced with making such a loving, difficult choice as to place their child with another family.
Her background includes a Master’s of Science in Social Work and executive directorship of another licensed child-placing agency prior to founding Adoption Access. She served on the clinical staff of a Dallas psychiatrist, providing group and individual therapy, which she believes can be better utilized in the adoption field. She’s had a private practice that included providing biofeedback services for Children’s Medical Center. Debbie has also served as board member for the Texas Association for Infant Mental Health and The Family Place.
Brooke Mizell
Operations Director
Brooke has had a passion for the adoption field since high school. After graduating from Baylor University in 2001 with a Marketing International Business Degree, Brooke began to work as a birthmother counselor for Adoption Access. In 2004, she pursued her adoption career for International Adoptions in Russia and Ukraine. It was in 2008 that Brooke began to work for Adoption Access once again, but this time to work with the adoptive parents. Her current role includes working with adoptive families with post placements and preparing them for finalizing their adoptions. Brooke is a great asset to Adoption Access and each adoptive family she works with! When not busy at Adoption Access, Brooke is very busy at her home with her family. Brooke and her husband, Aaron, have two children, Mason and Madison.
Pricilla McCollum
Administrator
Pricilla McCollum has been with Adoption Access for several years now, and is always so compassionate and caring with birthmothers. She makes sure the ongoing contact between adoptive parents and birthparents goes smoothly. Pricilla’s experience prior to joining us was working in administration for four years in the real estate industry. She has three years of experience working in accounting handling payables and receivables. Pricilla has two children and they live in the Dallas area.
Johanna Amaro
Administrator
Johanna grew up locally here in Dallas, Texas and recently graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelors in Social Work. Johanna loves working in a field where she’s able to help others and is thrilled to be a part of Adoption Access. When she’s not working, Johanna loves to spend time traveling.
Heather Lowrey
Foster Care Coordinator
Heather works with our nursery moms and dads to keep all records up to date. Babies need temporary care from time to time, and our nursery moms do not work for the state. They only work for the agency, and keep only one or two babies at a time. Adoption Access handles the licensing of every family, with the state having access to these files should a review need to be performed.
Jenna Howard
Child Placement Staff/Adoption Consultant
Jenna earned her BS in Psychology from Abilene Christian University. She obtained her MS in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington and then earned her LMSW. She has worked in the adoption field since 1994. In addition to working with adoptive parents and birthmothers, Jenna is also an adoptee. Adoption has blessed her life and she loves helping families become blessed by adoption. She and her husband, Mark, have three sons.
Click on a link below to watch a video of our caring and compassionate counselors in action.
If you find yourself with an unplanned pregnancy and don’t know what to do next, call 1-800-FREE-HUG or click the live chat button to talk with a counselor today. They will just listen or if you like, can help you look at all the options and resources available to you. We’re here for you 24/7.
Mary Lindsay
Counselor – DFW
Mary is a Virginia native who has lived in Texas for 20 years. She’s a 2007 graduate of University of Texas-Dallas, with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology. She completed her internship with Adoption Access and knew immediately this career path was what she wanted to pursue with her education. Mary’s passion for adoption and working with birthmothers is somewhat unique. She brings a refreshing perspective to the team since she has been a client of and intern and counselor for Adoption Access. She was once a birthmother of identical twins, and then after completing her internship, became a wonderful addition to our counseling staff. Mary knows firsthand what the journey is like, and having her partner with other birthmothers throughout theirs is a gift. She is passionate about the opportunities that prevail for both the birthmother and the adoptive parents, and recognizes the importance of making great life choices.
Amanda Brogdon
Counselor – DFW
Amanda has lived in Fort Worth for most of her life and is excited to begin her adventure in Dallas as an adoption counselor. She went to the University of Oklahoma and received her Bachelor’s in Psychology. After she graduated, Amanda followed her passion for helping others and decided to pursue a career in counseling. In December of 2011, she graduated with a Masters in Counseling and Development from Texas Woman’s University. At the end of the day, Amanda loves spending time with her family, friends, and dog Buddy.
Debby Christian
Counselor – DFW
Debby initially joined Adoption Access in 2004 to help staff and clients with support and transportation needs. But she immediately blossomed into an invaluable asset to the entire team, and to birthmothers and adoptive parents alike. Having been adopted herself, Debby has a keen insight and understanding of adoption that our birthmothers and adoptive parents need and appreciate. Her consistent advice and support are an underlying factor of the agency’s success. She is here to step in and help with a smile in every capacity of the job, and her positive attitude is a driving force behind successful placements. In addition to her availability 24 hours a day (literally), Debby is currently pursuing her degree with a specialization in Family Studies. She also has a true-life dedication to her family, as she and her husband raise their precious son Kevin. Debby believes each mom she works with is full of promise, and she works very hard to help them move forward in the most positive ways.
Somer Doyle
Counselor – Houston
As a counselor in the Houston area, Somer joined the Adoption Access staff in 2010. She grew up in North Carolina and attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She graduated with a double Bachelors in Psychology and Criminal Justice in 2008. After graduation, in search of something new, she relocated to Houston, Texas. She plans to get her Masters in Psychology in the future. Somer brings compassion, understanding and enthusiasm to her position at Adoption Access and is very excited to have joined the staff! Somer has shown so much dedication to her clients – it’s clear she had made the right career choice. She will very definitely be a great support system for birthmothers because she genuinely likes and respects people, especially her clients.
Jessica Phillips
Counselor – Houston
Jessica is also a counselor in Houston for Adoption Access, and she has both personal and professional experience with adoption. Jessica is adopted, and therefore, has tremendous respect for birthmoms and the courageous decisions they make for their children. She understands the loss and the sacrifice. You will find her to be warm and caring, and able to answer questions and provide support.
Rose Tarin
Counselor – El Paso
As a Counselor to the agency in the El Paso area, Rose began working for Adoption Access in October of 1998. She has a Master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance from Webster University and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from University of Texas at El Paso. Additionally, Rose has worked for 15 years with Head Start, the homeless and at-risk youth. Because of her extensive background and experience in social work, Rose is a natural for adoption work. Birthparents often need help beyond placement, and she has been wonderful in connecting them to other resources to help them move forward with their lives. Making a difference for young people in difficult situations is something Rose has been doing for a long time. She is a very nurturing and caring person, and her birthmoms adore her.
Alma Diaz
Counselor – San Antonio
Alma is originally from Puerto Rico, and speaks fluent Spanish as well as English. In 2003 she received a Bachelors in Social Work from Auburn University, Alabama, and she is also a veteran of the US Army. Her professional experience includes working for the Head Start program as a family service worker and also center manager. Alma’s passion for adoption started in 2004 when she worked as a birthparent counselor in Georgia. After moving to San Antonio with her husband and children, she started working for Adoption Access in 2008. Alma is not just a counselor but an advocate for her birthparents through their adoption journey. She once spent Christmas with a birthmom so she wouldn’t be alone, and she missed her own family Christmas that year.
Peggy and Gary
Nursery Care Family
Peggy and her husband Gary are one of the Nursery Care families at Adoption Access. They joined our agency in 2004 and have fostered over 60 babies since that time. Licensed by Adoption Access through the state of Texas, Peggy and Gary are rarely without a child in their home. Peggy has always had a love for babies/children. At age 11, she was the most sought after babysitter in the town where she grew up. Throughout her adulthood she has done volunteer work for various organizations involving infant care, worked in the church nursery, done in-home childcare and has cared for several of their 11 grandchildren. Besides her love for children, she has a strong interest in the field of medicine and is a Certified Medical Assistant.
Melissa and Paul
Nursery Care Family
Paul, Melissa and Emma are our newest foster family, joining adoption access in November 2011. Melissa is a stay at home mom with 25 years in parenting experience and two grown sons. Paul works full time but is always available to help feed and cuddle the babies. Emma is a 5th grader, and adopted herself, gives the babies extra special care. When not caring for babies, they love to swim and travel and hope to retire someday to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Dave Cole
Legal Counselor
Dave has been Counsel for Adoption Access since 1994. From 1987 through 1993, he represented Dallas County Child Protective Services in suits concerning the abuse and neglect of children. In 1992 and 1993, he handled the civil prosecution of every case investigated through the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, including every child death case in Dallas County. Dave is a former board member for the Texas Association for Infant Mental Health. He is a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the Dallas Bar Association.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984. A recipient of the Dean’s Merit Scholarship Award, Dave graduated from Pepperdine School of Law in Malibu, California in May of 1987. He is a tremendous resource for Adoption Access and gives a great deal of his time and energy to the clients and staff. In spite of all the bad lawyer jokes he suffers through, he enjoys the highest admiration for his character and ethics. He has made a difference in the lives of many children by his devotion to their causes.
