Executive Director
For more than 25 years Darlene has devoted her professional career to improving the lives of abused and neglected children. Darlene has worked in both public and private organizations in a variety of professional positions. She has received national recognition for her advocacy for adoptive families. Darlene leads a number of state initiatives focused on foster care and adoption. She also participates on several national adoption and child welfare committees and initiatives.
Darlene believes that all children have strengths and deserve opportunities to succeed. She believes that children do best when they have loving, committed families. The programs and services she designs and manages are dedicated to providing those opportunities. No child should age out of foster care, no child should be left behind.
Darlene received her Bachelors degree from Providence College. She holds a Masters Degree in Human Service Administration from University of Massachusetts, Boston. Darlene enjoys painting, hiking and going to the gym when she is not working.
Office Manager
Donna Silvia has been with Adoption RI since 1994. Her responsibilities within the agency have included management of the agency finances, coordinating the annual phonathon and golf tournament, as well as assist with the educational series. As office manager, Donna provides administrative support for all staff, students and fee for service people. Donna is often the friendly voice people talk to in their first phone call to learn about adoption. Donna is very committed to the mission of Adoption Rhode Island and is proud to be a member of the staff. She is very dedicated to the care and love of children.
In her personal life, Donna has a very large, fun-loving family, does volunteer work and is very active in her church community.
Community Relations Coordinator
Judith brings with her to ARI 15 years experience working within the child welfare system in Rhode Island. Her past employment focused primarily on working with DCYF involved families with young children. A firm believer in the value of supportive services, Judith was able to often witness positive change and success with her families. When that was not possible, however, she was also painfully aware of the need for safety, love and permanency that these children felt. She feels fortunate to have the opportunity to help with these goals for children in her current role at Adoption Rhode Island. As Special Projects Coordinator, she provides specialized recruitment services for waiting children, and facilitates the new Youth Speak Out Panel. An adoptive parent, mother of five, Judith is a strong advocate for children. She believes there is a family for every child, and a child for every family. We just have to get them together!
Communications Coordinator
Donna Rivera came to Adoption RI in February 2008, bringing over 10 years of marketing communications, website management, and graphic design experience as well as a passion for building families through adoption. "I've learned first hand, there are so many children out there who need families and so many hopeful parents who may not know that state adoption is an affordable option." As an adoptive parent of two beautiful toddlers, Donna enjoys nothing more than spending time with family.
Program Manager, Recruitment and Matching
Kim joined Adoption Rhode Island in May 2008 as the Program Manager of the Recruitment and Matching Program with 10 years experience with children and families in the health and child welfare fields. Previously, she worked in Massachusetts with children awaiting adoption and foster and pre-adoptive families. She has extensive experience with children who have special needs. She provides support, education and advocacy to these children and families. Kim is committed to helping children in DCYF care to find forever families through adoption and guardianship.
Adoption Coordinator
Barbara joined the staff at Adoption Rhode Island in August 1998. Her professional experience includes working with both private and public adoption, family counseling, and Hospice. She is always searching for new ideas and resources to increase the community's awareness of the many ways to define "family". Barbara believes that working for children, and protecting their dreams, gives direction and hope to our future.
Adoption Coordinator
Beth has over twelve years experience working directly with special needs children. Her prior position as a Program Director in a residential home, gave Beth the opportunity to work with waiting children and adoptive parents to help them transition into a forever home. As an Adoption Coordinator, Beth's main role is the recruitment of families for children in state care, and the support of these children and families throughout the adoption process. Beth also works on camp initiatives and holiday drives.
Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter
Through a grant from Wendy's Wonderful Kids, Angela was recently hired as an adoption recruiter to help find families for Rhode Island's waiting children. Wendy's Wonderful Kids is a signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Angela brings to her position extensive experience working in the residential treatment field. She has worked with children of all ages with a wide range of behavioral issues in a variety of settings.
Adoption and Permanency Case Worker
Elissa joined our Recruitment and Matching team in June 2008. Formerly an intern in the Support Program at Adoption Rhode Island, Elissa recently graduated from Eckerd College with a Bachelors degree in Human Development. One of her focuses at ARI will be to provide technical assistance within the Rectruitment and Matching Program. Elissa has a special interest, as well, in working with families.
Adoption Support Program Coordinator
Malaina came to ARI with many years of experience working with children and families in a variety of settings. Prior to her arrival at ARI, Malaina has worked with children in DCYF care helping them to address grief and loss issues and to prepare them for reunification or adoption. She has also provided support, advocacy and clinical intervention to birth, foster and adoptive parents. Malaina believes strongly in the need for support services throughout the adoption process. She is committed to helping children and families achieve their dreams and build their lives together.
Adoption Support Social Worker
Jane joined the ARI staff in January, 2003 bringing extensive expertise in the field of adoption and foster care. Having spent a number of years in the adoption field in the public and private sector both in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Jane is committed to the goal of "a permanent home for every child" and throughout her career she has advocated for that goal. Her experience ackowledges that adoption is a lifelong process and assistance may be needed along life's journey. As an adoption support worker, Jane will provide support services to families and children.
Adoption Support Social Worker
Christine joined Adoption Rhode Island in November 2006 with 10 years experience with children and families in the mental health and child welfare field. Christine believes in and is committed to achieving permanency for all children in state care through a collaborative, child focused approach.
AdoptUSkids Coordinator/Office Asst.
Bernie has been at Adoption Rhode Island since 2002. She is the mother of nine, six of her children having been adopted. As the Rhode Island AdoptUSkids representative, Bernie makes use of her own life experience and knowledge by providing support, mentoring and information to families at all stages of the adoption process. She often helps families navigate the system, making the adoption process easier. She plays a dual role at Adoption Rhode Island by also providing assistance to the Office Manager.
Adoption Support Family Advocate
Patti has been a member of the Adoption Rhode Island family since 1991. She and her husband Fred adopted two brothers, who have now grown into wonderful young men. Patti has also been a parent trainer for pre-adoptive classes at DCYF for the last 5 years and a parent volunteer for NACAC's adoption subsidy program. Patti knows how difficult some of the issues our children and families face first hand and is always willing to help in any way she can.
Fee for Service Adoption Support Social Worker
Diane has extensive experience working with children and families in a variety of settings. Currently, she works as a school social worker in the Woonsocket school system. She has been a fee for service social worker at Adoption Rhode Island for over two years.
Fee for Service Clinician
Angelica has been working as a clinician at the Shephard Program of St Mary's Home for Children since 2002. From 2004-2005 Angelica was a student intern at Adoption Rhode Island, gaining specialized experience and knowledge in the area of adoption. Since that time, Angelica has continued to work as a clinician at the Shephard program, while also staying connected to Adoption Rhode Island. Currently she works as a fee for service clinician in our support program, helping to prepare children for adoption.
Staff Mascot &Therapy Specialist
Bella, though only a puppy, has become an integral part of the Adoption Rhode Island family. Usually cuddled sweetly under Director Darlene Allen's desk, Bella provides love and support to staff as needed. She has also become a favorite of the many children who visit the office.