Abbie Smith, LCSW: Program Director
Abbie is the Director of the Waiting Child Program and has an understanding both personally and
professionally of special needs adoptions. She holds a post-graduate certificate in adoption and has spent six years in the medical field working with children with special health care needs and their families. Abbie reviews family applications, discusses their family strengths with them, and prepares family presentations for the Waiting Child Committee. Abbie experiences great joy in finding permanent homes for our waiting children.

Jessica Palmer, MSW: Social Work Coordinator Jessica holds a Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Houston. She comes to Holt from the United Way of Greater Houston, where she worked with a collaborative focus on the needs of children displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Jessica collaborates with social workers in matching children with families and in preparing for the Waiting Child Committee. She also coordinates and maintains grants and submits child profiles for Holt publications.

Erin Mower: Program Assistant
Erin manages the administrative portion of the Waiting Child Program and helps parents navigate through the waiting child paperwork. She talks with families about the Waiting Child process, explains country guidelines, shares information on specific waiting children, maintains the photolisting, and coordinates with our international programs to gather updated child information.