we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, licensed adoption agency serving all of california
Our Staff
main office in fair oaks, ca
norCal team
Staff Bios
AUDREY DEGRAAF, LCSW
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Audrey is responsible for all aspects of the business operations, including crisis management, financial oversight & strategic direction with the Board of Directors. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Audrey earned her master’s degree in social work from Sacramento State University & her bachelor of arts degree in psychology from UC Santa Cruz. For 10 years, Audrey worked as a Maternal Child Social Worker in a hospital setting, offering support & resources to women in crisis. Prior to taking over this adoption agency from her parents in 2016, Audrey served on the front lines as an Adoption Social Worker for more than a decade. Even now as Executive Director, Audrey’s love for expectant parents has kept her working in the field as a social worker from time to time. Growing up with 4 adopted siblings & now an adoptive mom herself, adoption has always been in Audrey’s blood! From a young age, she travelled with her parents to Guatemala to serve in an orphanage, helped build a school in Madagascar & even ran a summer camp in South Africa. This global exposure gave her a holistic, community-connected approach where she has a beautiful way of bringing people together with respect & openness. Audrey is a newly divorced single parent & member of the LGBTQ community. In addition to having an adopted child, Audrey is a mom of multiples. In her free time, she loves traveling with her kids, is an avid walker & attends comedy shows whenever she can because she believes that laughter is the best medicine.
dr tiffany welter, MSW
director of adoptions
As Director of Adoptions, Dr. Tiffany Welter oversees our social workers all across the state of California. She directs our home study & interstate compact programs as well as the advisement & relinquishment services we provide. With a doctorate degree, a master's degree in social work and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology & Human Development, Dr. Tiffany has spent the past two decades being a dedicated advocate for children. Her work as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer earned her the distinguished title of Volunteer of the Year, highlighting her invaluable contributions to the community. Dr. Tiffany is also a faculty member at a community college, inspiring students to become change-makers in the world. Dr. Tiffany is a living testament to the power of a healthy & active lifestyle. As a long-distance runner, she has embraced physical challenges, pushing her limits & embodying resilience. Her dedication to maintaining a healthy, clean lifestyle serves as an inspiration to others. She & her husband, Alex, live in the country on acreage with horses. Horse rescuing provides Tiffany with the satisfaction of giving these majestic creatures a second chance.
SARAH SACCONE-LANZA, BA
director
As Director, Sarah oversees our matching program, supporting both expectant parents & adoptive parents throughout the adoption journey & after. Utilizing her bachelor’s degree in sociology from California State University of San Marcos, Sarah has an extensive background working with non-profits. She started as a trauma-informed counselor for homeless teens at a youth drop-in shelter. Following that, she served on a number of mental health non-profit boards & has been a longtime volunteer with San Diego Hospice & Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Most recently Sarah served as the Director of Lamb of God Maternity Home for 6 years & is the Vice President of San Diego Association for Life. Sarah daily gives witness to her passion for women in crisis pregnancy through the gift of adoption, as well as helping adoptive parents complete their family. Leading with compassion, Sarah created a birth mother support group & also organizes birth parent events throughout the year, offering fellowship & healing.
Crystal Brooks, BSW
Program Manager
Crystal is Program Manager responsible for administrative case management including interstate compact processing, SSI & AAP subsidy programs for adopting parents. She handles all of the complex documents required to complete each adoption. With a bachelor’s degree in social work, Crystal has made significant contributions while serving in child welfare for more than a decade. Her trauma-informed education has allowed her to take an empathetic approach while working in the foster adoption field at Sierra Forever Families, CASA & Sacramento Children’s Home. Baking is one of Crystal’s creative outlets & she even worked as a professional pastry chef in a bakery! In her free time, Crystal loves all things bulldogs, reading & gardening.
SE’ANNA MERINO, Bs
Bi-lingual
adoption Coordinator
Se’Anna handles multiple roles at the agency including managing our medical records department, coordinating numerous aspects of the adoption process & even leading birthparent support programs. Se’Anna has a bachelor of science degree in pre-medical biology & has worked in the medical field, both with patients & in medical administration. For almost a decade, she has volunteered for multiple non-profit organizations that provide shelter, jobs & educational opportunities for at-risk teens & adults. Se’Anna is bilingual in English & Spanish and takes great pride in bridging gaps in communication. In her free time, Se’Anna stays active & loves spending time at the beach.
Jennifer l. guerra
adoption assistant
Jen’s attention to detail makes her the perfect fit for her role as an Adoption Assistant, organizing the documentation involved in each adoption. With a background in Early Childhood Education, Jen has a passion for helping people from all walks of life achieve their dream of parenthood. Jen wears many hats at the agency as she keeps things running. When she’s not helping create families, Jen loves spending time with her wife Amber & 3 boys - Zachary, Mason & Parker and their two dogs Chloe & Rudy.
Oliver “Ollie”
Office Therapy Dog
One-and-a-half year old Ollie is the office therapy dog and a beloved member of the team. Ollie keeps the workplace positive with his wagging tail, sweet disposition and infectious enthusiasm. He loves cuddles, naps in the sun and keeping watch in the front window of the office. Ollie lifts spirits wherever he goes and has even been known to go on sleepovers with office staff. Ollie’s affection, devotion and love are reminders to find joy amidst the chaos.
hear from the northern california team
hear from our southern california team
Our History
Family Network Adoption Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, licensed adoption agency in the state of California. Our staff of social workers and adoption professionals are committed to helping families through every step of the adoption process.
Family Network Adoption Center is proud to work with individuals from all walks of life who want to build their families through adoption. We have a strong commitment to inclusivity & advocate for equality. Whether traditional or non-conforming, to historically accepted definitions of family, we believe that love makes good families & we will walk alongside you, providing support & guidance on your adoption journey.
Founded by social workers Luke and Georgia Leonard in 1979, the Leonard’s personal experience with adoption provided the challenge that motivated them to form this agency nearly 45 years ago. The Leonard’s have 6 multi-ethnic children: 3 internationally adopted, 1 domestically adopted & 2 biological children.
In 2023, the agency joined forces with Adoption Center of San Diego to combine our multiple decades of experience, expand our services & widen our reach across the entire state of California to create permanent families through adoption.
Our Services
Family Network Adoption Center is currently licensed in the State of California for domestic adoption services.
These services include:
matching expectant & adopting parents
adoption home studies
relinquishment of parental rights
interstate compact agreements (ICPC)
post placement reports
coordination with placing agencies
agency court work
Our social workers specialize in educating & supporting adoptive parents in their parenting for attachment efforts. We believe that acknowledging the adoptee’s birth family can actually bring the child & adoptive parents closer together. Allowing the adoptee to know ALL of themselves can create healthier attachment & emotional regulation, especially during the identity phase of adolescence.
Family Network Adoption Center is committed to creating permanent & loving homes for all children & youth through family support & adoption. Family Network Adoption Center also has a deep commitment to humanitarian aid & placing children with special needs into loving families.
Our Mission
Family Network Adoption Center is dedicated to finding permanent loving families for children, offering holistic support to birth & adoptive families and providing educational therapeutic assistance to those dealing with parenting & adoption challenges. Family Network Adoption Center is committed to serving all races & creeds, including children with special needs.
The challenges that come with adoption can be an invitation to fuel self-growth and improve the health of families. Family Network Adoption Center uses a holistic approach which strives for wholeness for all members of the adoption triad - birth parents, adoptive parents & adoptees.
Since the inception of the agency in 1979, several thousand children, both domestic & international, have been placed with loving families locally & throughout the United States. Through its many programs, Family Network Adoption Center helps hundreds of families every year!
