Meet Our Adoption Staff

As Director of Counseling & Family Support Services, Erika is responsible for overseeing all functions of the full-service Infant Adoption Program, State Wide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) program, county foster care placement services, and counseling services. Erika also works directly with clients providing outpatient counseling sessions and running monthly support groups. Erika was integral in starting up the SWAN program and county foster care placement services at The Children’s Home, beginning in 2012. She also more recently began expanding the program’s Outpatient Mental Health Counseling Services, which now serves children, adults, couples and families with a broad range of specialty areas.

Erika has been at The Children’s Home since 2006, working as a birthparent counselor, birthparent counseling services supervisor, and manager of the SWAN Program, prior to becoming Director of Adoption & Permanency Services in early 2019. Prior to her position at The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, Erika worked for over 4 years as a Psychiatric Specialty Counselor for an adolescent drug and alcohol research program at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic and remained on staff as a Behavioral Health Counselor, conducting diagnostic interviews and performing program management duties on a casual basis until May of 2018. She earned both a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Master’s Degree in Social Work through The University of Pittsburgh and obtained her social work license in 2006.

Rochelle began working at The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh in February 2026 as a Permanency Social Worker. She currently serves as a Child Specific Recruiter Specialist, focusing on finding permanent, loving families for youth waiting in foster care. In this role, Rochelle develops individualized recruitment plans, builds connections with prospective families, and advocates for youth as they work toward permanency.

Rochelle also supports children by providing Child Preparation and developing Child Profiles to help highlight each youth’s strengths, interests, and needs. Her work through the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) focuses on building meaningful connections and helping youth move toward lifelong family relationships.

Prior to this role, Rochelle worked for a different SWAN affiliate for three years, where she gained valuable experience supporting children and families involved in the adoption and permanency process. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Lebanon Valley College.

Ainsley is a Licensed Social Worker who started with The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh in June of 2024. Ainsley received her BSW from Eastern University and went on to receive her MSW from Millersville University in 2024. Ainsley is a Child Permanency Social Worker, supporting foster families and children working with The Children’s Home from placement to adoption. Ainsley also works to prepare children for permanency by providing Child Preparation services through the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) as well as Finalization services to help families through the last part of their adoption journey.  Prior to this position Ainsley gained experience working with families as a family-based therapist and as an advocate in domestic violence safe houses.

Lauren is a Licensed Social Worker, who graduated from The University of Pittsburgh with a master’s in social work and has a background working in The Child Welfare System. In 2018, she joined The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh Adoption and Permanency Department and has been assisting families to adopt from the foster care system. Lauren works in several areas of the Adoption Department, including foster care, SWAN Units of Service, training and Birthparent Counseling.

Jodi began working at The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh in January of 2014. She is the Adoption Program Assistant for our Full-Service Infant Adoption Program and Home Study Services. Some of Jodi’s duties include managing adoptive files, preparing legal documents, traveling with social workers as necessary, and preparing statistical reports for all adoption programs.

Brittany began working at The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center in May of 2015 as a Permanency Social Worker. Brittany currently works as a Birthparent Specialist, helping birthparents navigate the adoption process and providing counseling and support before, during, and after placement. Brittany also helps to prepare children for permanency by delivering Child Preparation, Child Profile, Child Specific Recruitment, and Family Profile units of service through the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN). Prior to this position, Brittany had previous internships at Three Rivers Adoption Council and A Second Chance, Inc. Brittany earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development and Family Relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh.

Kristie Lindblom, MA (she/her) is an adaptable and engaging interdisciplinary trainer and permanency social worker with experience in the fields of wellness, psychology, somatics, social and emotional learning (SEL), adult education, online learning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Kristie’s professional interests lie at the intersections between brain science, movement, learning, and healing. She presently utilizes her skills to support youth in the foster care system and their families throughout the permanency process. She has made contributions to research in the fields of psychology, health care, and biomedical engineering. A former dancer and experienced educator, Kristie has taught university level courses in Stage Movement, Somatic Preparation for Dancers, Meditation and Mindfulness, and Wellness. She has experience in both online and brick and mortar classrooms. Kristie has trained other professionals in the topics of brain science, trauma, human development, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and neurodivergence.

As the Permanency Supervisor of the Statewide Adoption Network Program (SWAN) at The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, Amanda oversees the daily supervision of the SWAN Program. Amanda provides clinical supervision to the SWAN staff performing SWAN units of service. Amanda began working at The Children’s Home in April of 2013 as a Permanency Social Worker. Amanda also has a small SWAN caseload and focuses on preparing children for permanency by providing SWAN referred units of service. Prior to working at the Children’s Home, Amanda provided SWAN permanency services and managed a foster care caseload with out of home care children for three years. Amanda also previously worked at a residential treatment facility with adolescent females for four years. Amanda earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitative Sciences with a concentration in Substance Abuse from Penn West Clarion (formally Clarion University of Pennsylvania).

Contact Amanda 412-350-8978 or alowe@chomepgh.org

Joe Ritacco has been at The Children’s Home since 2001. He enjoys working with individuals, couples, families, and children in the areas of adoption, infertility, grief and loss, and marital/couples conflict. He has experience working with all races as well as LGBTQIA+ population. He can see clients virtually or in person.

Joe has training in Gottman method and Emotionally Focused Therapy, and is trained by ASRM to work with infertility clients.  He enjoys taking a person centered approach to meet you where you are at, and to help you identify your goals and strengths.

Kristin began working at The Children’s Home in 1989 as a Birthparent Counselor but has worn many hats over the years. Kristin is skilled in providing adoption competent counseling including counseling to birthparents, adoptive families, and adoptees, including those going through a search and reunion process. Kristin is also trained via ASRM mental health professional training, making her equipped to work with those going through infertility and using third party reproduction. Kristin is a trained mediator who facilitates long term open adoption facilitation and mediation for birth and adoptive families. Kristin earned her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh.

Melanie is the SWAN Program Assistant and joined The Children’s Home in 2016. She is the mother of 3 children (one adopted from foster care!). She loves talking to families about foster care adoption and keeping all their paperwork organized. When not at work, she can be found reading and drinking way too much tea.