PACE: Post-Adoption Coaching & Education
Meet One on One with an Adoption-Competent Professional
All parents encounter challenges as their children grow up. And sometimes, issues may arise that leave you uncertain as to how best to respond — but not every issue requires therapy or counseling. The PACE program is here to help during those times.
Through Holt’s PACE program, you and your family will work one on one with an trauma-informed, adoption-competent Holt professional over three sessions to identify strategies, tools and resources that will help address the specific issue or issues you and your child are struggling with.
Whether the challenge you’re facing is related to adoption or just typical developmental growing pains, each session will be conducted over a free video communications software that is secure and easy to use, works on any device, and allows you to set up wherever is most comfortable and convenient for you.
PACE Can Help with these Common Issues
While every family situation is unique, some common issues include:
- Managing behavior
- Attachment/bonding
- Sleep disruptions
- Food issues
- Grief and loss
- Development
- Transitions (school, life, etc.)
- School challenges
- Identity
- Sibling rivalry
- Trauma
- Managing discipline
- Relationship changes with adult adoptees
- Birth issues/life books
Sign up today!
For more information about the PACE program and to sign up, please email us!
Family Testimonial on PACE Benefits
When John and Anne C. first heard about Holt’s Post-Adoption Coaching & Education (PACE) program, they were immediately interested. One of the challenges their family faced was separation. Even when Anne went to the bathroom, Chaopan didn’t understand that she would come back.
“Carolyn suggested I cuddle him before parting and then rush back. When I rushed back the first day telling him I missed him, it was like a spell broke. He was suddenly OK with me going to the bathroom alone! It felt like an amazing gift.”
Anne C., adoptive parent. Read more about her family’s experience here.
Meet the PACE Professionals at Holt
Gary Sampson, LICSW
Gary has a master’s degree in social work, a school counselor certification and an elementary teaching credential. He is also a licensed clinical social worker and an approved social work supervisor. Before joining Holt, Gary worked as a director of social services, an adoption social worker, a medical social worker for children with disabilities, an elementary school counselor and a primary school teacher. Now as an adoption social worker for Holt, Gary’s skills in adoption services, education, social work and school counseling support adoptive parents and children. Gary is married and has two adult daughters, including one adopted from Korea.
Carolyn Cain, MSW
Carolyn is an adoption social worker in Holt’s California branch office and a supervisor for Holt’s Post-Adoption Coaching & Education (PACE) program. She completed her bachelor’s degree in human services and earned a master’s degree in social work from California State University, Long Beach. Carolyn has a passion for helping adoptive families through their entire adoption process and life experience and has worked in both international adoption and foster care. Carolyn is married and has five children, two of whom were adopted from China through Holt.
Sunday Silver
Sunday Silver is Holt’s administrative director of post-adoption services, currently overseeing Holt’s post-adoption standard services and providing post-adoption counseling and education. Sunday received my Master of Arts degree in marriage and family therapy. Sunday began her career at Holt in 1992. Through the years, she has provided services to all members of the adoption triad, whether through pregnancy counseling for birth mothers, education and direct services for adoptive parents, or counseling and birth search services for adult adoptees.
Samantha Sutherland
Samantha Sutherland has over 10 years of experience working with children and families. Samantha began her career as a middle school teacher before earning a master’s degree in social work from The University of Texas at Austin. She also has experience working with Child Protective Services, private foster agencies and in community counseling. Samantha is passionate about helping families and children find stability and happiness.
Danielle M. Smith, MSW
Danielle joined Holt International in 2016 after working in the adoption field for more than 26 years. Her experience includes international, domestic and special needs adoption. Danielle has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Illinois State University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana. A married mother of two sons, Danielle also has personal experience in international adoption as she has a sister who joined her family through adoption from India and a niece who joined their family through adoption from China. Danielle loves working with children and families, especially in adoption. “Working with children and families in the adoption field has always been a passion of mine,” she says. “I am excited to work with Holt International and assist families in their adoption journey.”
Stories Written by our PACE Professionals
Adoption
