When you work with Adoption Advocates, you have a team of professionals to support you at every step. We take care of the details so you can focus on the big parts of your adoption journey, like processing your emotions and making choices for you or your family’s future.
We’re here when you’re ready to start exploring adoption or have questions. Call (512) 477-1122 or send us an email.
RORY HALL - Executive Director
Rory Hall has worked in adoption since 2001. She started out working with expectant parents doing options counseling and adoption planning. After three years, Rory began working with waiting families providing education about open adoption and guiding them though the process. When Jane Hall retired in 2011, she took over as Executive Director.
She also is a trainer for the Infant Adoption Training Initiative to educate professionals working with pregnant women on introducing the option of adoption in a non-judgmental manner. She strongly believes that you cannot discuss the joys of adoption without also acknowledging the pain and struggles that accompany it and the importance of making sure expectant parents are as prepared as they can be for the grief associated with placing.
She holds a Master’s in Counseling from St. Edward’s University and is a Licensed Child Placing Agency Administrator. She is also a former chairman for the Central Texas Perinatal Coalition.
She lives in Austin with her daughter. After leaving Texas for California in her 20s, decided to return and now considers herself a born again Texan!
KAILYN CAMPBELL - Adoption Specialist
My name is Kailyn Campbell and I am an adoption specialist with AAI. I have a bachelor’s degree in social work and I am currently studying my master’s degree in social work. I grew up all around Texas, in diverse environments. This is where my fascination for people began because I was always going to new places and meeting new people. I had many opportunities to get to know people with different backgrounds, stories, and experiences, which has ultimately guided me to the social work profession. Though I began my studies in the field of music, I eventually switched to social work when I realized that there were social justice issues that I wanted to be prepared to work in. After I graduated from college, I spent a few years working at a foster care agency and then I took a spontaneous opportunity in Reynosa, Mexico to work at a children’s home and school. I spent three and a half years working, building relationships, learning Spanish, and watching the foster care system unfold in a different context and culture. I am continuously learning and insatiably interested in the application of appropriate, effective, trauma informed culturally competent care of children, in this country as well as around the world.
In my free time, I love to run, read, and play music. I go to the ocean every chance that I get and I have a black cat named Amigo. I am a coffee drinker and a big fan of tacos! My family is very important to me and we spend all the time together that we can.
I am excited to be a part of the work that AAI is doing now and I look forward to all of the experiences it will entail.
EUGENIA VALENCIA - Adoption Specialist
Eugenia graduated from Liberty University of Lynchburg, VA with a Master’s degree in Human Services Counseling. She later worked as a Conservatorship Specialist for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Eugenia’s professional social work experience has focused on her passion for being a fierce advocate for the rights of children and families in the foster care and adoption process. Eugenia has a background in counseling and supporting birth parents throughout their pregnancy. She has also served children in orphanages, individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges.
In her free time, Eugenia enjoys traveling, swimming, biking, reading, cooking and spending time with her family and friends. Eugenia is fluent in Russian and Swedish. She is very excited to be a part of the Adoption Advocates team and is looking forward to partnering with adoptive families and expectant mothers through their adoption journey.
KATHERINE ROBERTS - Caseworker
Katherine works in the office managing the financial aspects and office functions of Adoption Advocates. She supports the team in any way she can from booking travel to helping with expectant parents to corresponding with adoptive families to taking phone messages. Additionally, she works with AAI’s attorney to make sure legal paperwork is completed correctly and submitted in a timely manner.
Katherine has worked as a Financial Counselor for multiple hospitals in both the medical and behavioral health areas. She chose to pursue a career in adoption because of the new opportunities it offered and the ability to interact and learn from trained professionals in working with married couples and expectant parents through the multitude of emotional stages involved in adoption.
Katherine graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ashford University. She is currently working on a master’s degree from Northcentral University in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in Children and Adolescents.
Katherine is soon to be married with a handsome and outgoing little boy. Her son keeps her on her toes and you can be sure there is never a dull moment in their home. She is an animal lover, as is her son, and loves to be outside swimming, hiking, fishing or boating with her family. She sometimes overanalyzes her parenting choices and is the google search queen when problems arise. Her favorite vacation spot is in Colorado in the mountains and her dream vacation would be backpacking through Europe making sure to visit Ireland, Romania and Scotland.
SHAELYNN WOLFE - Family Services Coordinator
Shaelynn works with expectant parents to help navigate their adoption process and also assists with outreach to the North Texas community. She brings real family experience with her to Adoption Advocates, having two little brothers who are adopted. In addition, Shaelynn graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science and is pursuing her Masters in Social Work. She currently lives in Dallas, with her pup named Sophie.
MEGAN FULLER - Director of Marketing & Outreach
As marketing director, Megan helps create visibility for Adoption Advocates. Her goal is to help position Adoption Advocates as Central Texas’s leading knowledge resource on adoption for expectant parents and adoptive families as well as social workers and health care providers.
Megan bring more than 15 years of marketing experience to Adoption Advocates with an emphasis on online marketing and brand awareness. She has worked previously in a variety of companies including software start-ups, a destination spa and an anti-fraud organization. She has a Bachelors in Corporate Communications from the University of Texas at Austin.
ALICIA PORTS, LMSW - Adoption Services Manager
Alicia completes pre-adoptive home studies for prospective adoptive parents as well as conducting post-placement adoption supervision. She has a passion for working in the adoption field after previously working with former foster youth and going through the private adoption process with her daughter.
Alicia graduated from Texas State University with both her Bachelor’s and Master’s and is a true Bobcat! She loves anything in the craft realm and is always making a new project, including repurposing old furniture.
Edith Delgado - Adoption Specialist
I am Edith Delgado, raised in El Paso, Texas. I was born in Mexico but have lived in the U.S since the age of 2. I have a Bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at El Paso (Go miners) and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Texas State University. I have had a passion for social work ever since I can remember. Thinking back of what I wanted to be when I was growing up, I was not sure what I wanted to do, BUT I knew I wanted to serve a purpose to help others. I have over 13 years of experience in the family welfare system where I have helped foster families, children and youth in foster care, facilitated services for expectant birth mothers, the child, and adoptive families.
I am a mother of three, a wife, and a daughter. I enjoy spending time with my family and doing home-projects together. I love running, cooking, and hosting gatherings at my home.
My goal in Adoption Advocates is to provide assistance in alleviating the hardship of an unplanned pregnancy and the best support system for the adoption triad.
JANIE CRAVENS - LCSW-ACP Director of Training and Education
Janie Cravens has worked in the field of Child Welfare since 1979, focusing on adoption, infertility, birthparent concerns, orphanage life, child development and attachment. She was one of the pioneers of open adoption, and continues to be involved in the direct practice of this approach.
Janie teaches seminars in the US and abroad on Attachment, Life-long issues in adoption built families, and Orphanage Milieu. She consults to agencies and governments regarding child welfare policies, best practice, and instructs social workers on how to provide ethical, respectful services. Of special interest is her work training out-of-home caregivers regarding attachment, positive discipline, and sex abuse prevention. Cravens provides consultations on difficult adoption/foster cases, search and reunion, media comment, and serves as an expert in legal disputes.
Her education is a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Social Work (received from The Worden School, OLLU, 1979), and she holds the designation of Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Licensed Child Placing Agency Administrator, and CEU Grantor for the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners.
Janie Cravens resides in Austin, TX and Santa Fe, NM, where she owns a consultation company, Adoption Development Resources.
JANE HALL - Founder
Jane Hall has a personal interest in adoption since she herself was adopted at an early age. She founded Adoption Advocates in 1991 to provide caring, compassionate adoption services where the rights and feelings of all members of the triad are respected. Jane has assembled a wonderful staff who not only bring years of adoption experience and expertise to the agency but are also sensitive to clients’ individual needs and wishes. She obtained her law degree from St. Mary’s University in 1982. Jane is a licensed attorney and has a practice that includes private adoption. Read Jane’s Story
