Staff - Heart of Adoptions, Inc.

Jeanne Tate, Adoption Attorney
	Jeanne T. Tate is an attorney with an extensive and renowned practice in the area of adoption. She has participated in the placement of over 1,000 children in loving homes. Jeanne has been active in Interstate Compact Adoptions, has authored numerous articles on adoption, has appeared on local and national television, is actively involved in the adoption issues before the Florida legislature, and has a comprehensive knowledge of adoption law. Jeanne received a J.D. degree in 1981 from the University of Florida College of Law, where she graduated with honors, and as an editor of the Law Review. She received a B.S. degree in Journalism and Communications, also with high honors from University of Florida in 1978. Jeanne is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell and is a member of the prestigious American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the Florida Adoption Council.
Brigette Barno Schupay, Executive Director
	Brigette Barno Schupay joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. as its Executive Director in June 2005. As agency director, Brigette provides program oversight and development to ensure services are delivered in accordance with the agency’s mission to assist birth parents in placing their children in loving and caring homes. Brigette has worked with children and families since 1995 and specifically in the field of adoption since 1997. Previously, she served for nearly four years as the adoption coordinator for the county’s community based care provider of child welfare services where she was responsible for overseeing the adoption process for the county’s available children. She has extensive knowledge in the areas of special needs adoption and subsidy. Brigette is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Brigette received both her Bachelor and Master degrees in Social Work from the University of South Florida and is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Social Work with a focus on adoption related issues.
Jaima Barnes, Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern
	Jaima Barnes joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. as adoption caseworker in March 2008. Jaima works closely with birth mothers handling their day-to-day needs, monitoring their medical care and overall well-being. Additionally, she coordinates the interaction between adoptive parents and birth parents. Jaima has previous experience working in the field of private adoptions both as a full-time caseworker and a contract worker performing home studies and post placements. Most recently she worked with children with developmental delays from birth until age three, expanding her knowledge of childhood development. Jaima graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She then went on to complete her Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and plans to pursue her clinical license in social work.
Susan Major, Family Social Worker
	Susan Major joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. as adoption caseworker in September 2003. Susan worked with birth mothers and adoptive parents to establish adoption plans and primarily handled older child adoptions. In December 2005, Susan changed positions to family adoption social worker completing home studies and post-placement supervision. Previously, Susan worked in a hospital setting with chronically and terminally ill children and also in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Susan is very knowledgeable in child development and childhood disorders. Susan graduated from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia, with Bachelor degrees in Sociology and Social Work and minor degrees in religion and human services.
Joy May, Adoption Caseworker
	Joy May joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. as office receptionist in January 2000 and was quickly promoted to adoption coordinator, where she worked closely with birth mothers handling their day-to-day needs and monitoring their medical care. Joy was then promoted to adoption caseworker where she continues to oversee these needs, as well as coordinate the interaction between adoptive parents and birth parents.
Malinda Mosher, Adoption Caseworker
	Malinda Mosher joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. as adoption caseworker in September 2002. Malinda works closely with birth mothers handling their day-to-day needs, monitoring their medical care and overall well-being. Additionally, she coordinates the interaction between adoptive parents and birth parents. Malinda has worked with young females in a social work capacity since 1999. Malinda graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Health Science degree with a minor in Sociology and is currently pursuing a Master degree in Bioethics at the University of South Florida.
Annsley Atkin, Adoption Caseworker
	Annsley Atkin joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. in December 2009, as an adoption caseworker. She works closely with birth mothers handling their day-to-day needs, monitoring their medical care and overall well-being. Additionally, she coordinates the interaction between adoptive parents and birth parents. Annsley is an experienced caseworker, having worked in the field of adoptions since June 2003. She has previous experience in the areas of home study and post placement services, birth mother case management and adoptive parent/birth parent matching. Annsley graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Education.
Jessica Smith, Social Worker
	Jessica Smith joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. as an adoption casework assistant in September 2008. In February 2009, Jessica changed positions to family adoption social worker assisting with home studies and post-placement supervision as well as handling adoptive parent inquiries. Previously, Jessica interned with Early Steps and is very knowledgeable in childhood development. Jessica graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and plans to pursue her Master’s degree.
Traci Valdes, Adoption CaseWorker
	Traci Valdes re-joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. as an adoption caseworker in March 2008. Traci works closely with the birth fathers in an effort to fully involve them in the adoptive process. Heart of Adoptions, Inc. takes great pride in providing both continuity and education to the birth fathers regarding their role in the adoption plan. Traci’s goal is to gather as much social and medical information as possible for the adoptive child as well as bridge the sometimes tenuous relationship between the birth parents. She also prepares and facilitates all ICPC paperwork for Heart of Adoptions, Inc. Traci has previous experience in the field of adoption in the areas of birth mother casework, home study and post placement services and adoptive parent/birth parent matching. She has more than ten years experience in both public and private adoption and foster care. Traci graduated from The University of Florida with a BS in Rehabilitation Counseling. She is also an adult adoptee.
Desiree Lauer, Bookkeeper
	Our bookkeeper, Desiree Lauer, graduated Chamberlain High School in 1984. She is a native Floridian, born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. Desiree joined Jeanne T. Tate, P.A., Law firm in June of 2003. She is responsible for accounts receivables and payables, bank reconcilements, payroll, billing and all other accounting functions for the law firm. She has 12 years experience in banking and many years of experience in accounting.
Judi Martin, Office Manager
	Judi Martin joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. in November 2004 as office manager. Judi ensures the Tampa office of Heart of Adoptions runs smoothly by providing administrative support to all staff. Previously, Judi was the office manager of a local architect firm.