Betsie Norris founded Adoption Network Cleveland (ANC) in 1988. Their mission is to connect and empower individuals and organizations impacted by adoption through inclusiveness, collaboration, courage, and trust. ANC helps support people prior to, during, and after adoption and will continue to help people throughout their entire lives if needed. They offer a wide array of programs and services in three categories: pre-adoption, during adoption, and post-adoption. Operating primarily in the Greater Cleveland area and Cuyahoga County, ANC services include hotlines for emotional and physical help, seminars and information giving, as well as many other services to help connect those touched by adoption. ANC works with a number of organizations throughout Cleveland including the Cuyahoga County Division of Child Services and the Children's Guild. Adoption Network of Cleveland touches many people. This organization brings families together and makes sure the children are brought up in a loving, nurturing environment
Adoption Network of Cleveland ensures the betterment of these childrens' lives through the various services they offer throughout the adoption process and after. These services are offered: for parents thinking about adopting, when families need guidance on strengthening their family or reuniting with a family member; for anyone who is looking to mentor adolescents in foster care, or for anyone who is searching for resources for the youth who are in foster care that have grown above the desired age.
Those looking to adopt are offered a workshop titled: “Adoption 101: Where do I begin?” The workshop is a brief overview on the various types of adoptions available. This helps the parents understand their options and choose which method is better for them. Once they choose a method of adoption, they can enroll in the “Adoption Navigator Class” which offers personal support in the next steps of adopting. The Adoption Navigator is also used to provide guidance to families by offering support or giving the families referrals after they have finalized the adoption. Last but not least, there is an educational liaison that is meant offer help on any problems families are facing regarding school. For those seeking a reunion with a family member Adoption Network Cleveland offers assistance by supplying information on public records, looking for techniques, and emotional support during this time. Adoption Network of Cleveland has made it possible for Adoptees from Ohio to gain access to their original birth records, which simplifies the road to reunion.
There are services offered for those looking to be mentors through the Permanency Champions Mentoring Program. This program allows mentors to provide a smoother transition into a family or into the world. This program is meant to be a long-lasting relationship that would benefit both the mentor and mentee. There is extensive training that mentors have to go through that includes an ordination training as well as a one to one assessment with the Mentoring coordinator. This is all done after a thorough background check on behalf of Adoption Network Cleveland.
These youths that are being mentored are from the Get Real program offered by Adoption Network Cleveland. The Get Real program is an educational and support based group for teens in foster care. This program gives them a chance to share their feelings about adoption and/or foster care.
