Official Press Release

(GREENWOOD, INDIANA, OCTOBER 10, 2019) – As President of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (“AAAA”), we feel it imperative to comment on the case of Paul Petersen, the Maricopa County Assessor and private attorney who was indicted in Arizona on 29 counts of fraudulent schemes and three counts of conspiracy, theft and forgery related to an adoption fraud scheme. We applaud the Arizona Attorney
General for reviewing and enforcing the state’s laws governing adoption practices. Every state has statutes that criminalize improper actions taken by any person involved in adoption matters and AAAA supports local efforts to have these laws enforced for the protection of all involved in adoption matters.

The exploitation of Marshallese women, children, and families is not in any way representative of adoptions in the United States and results in damage to the community, families and children. AAAA strives to protect all parties involved in adoption and assisted reproduction family building efforts. This case illustrates how important it is for prospective adoptive families to work with reputable professionals in the field of adoption and assisted reproduction.

AAAA is an organization of credentialed attorneys, judges, and law professors throughout the world who are bound by a strict code of ethics that does not permit such conduct as is alleged in the Arizona matter. AAAA Fellows have distinguished themselves in the fields of assisted reproduction technology, adoption and family building. AAAA Fellows work tirelessly and ethically to create families every day and to assist those placing children for adoption, but those stories don’t typically make headlines.

With many resources available to check on the background and experience of agencies and adoption attorneys, it is important to be a knowledgeable consumer. Due diligence is required to insure that those who will help on the path of building one’s family through adoption and assisted reproduction are reputable and experienced. AAAA fellows can assist prospective adoptive parents and birth parents in finding qualified, experienced service providers to make their journey through their family building process a safe, legal and ethical journey.

MyersStrickland, PLLC

Here at Myers Strickland, we are appalled at the news of the arrest of a local adoption attorney for alleged human trafficking and defrauding the state. In turn, we’d like to remind our clients of our continual commitment to the ethical practice of adoption.

Attorney Heather Strickland operates based on the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys Code of Ethics (you can read the Academy’s response to the news in the attached press release). She and her team are committed to protecting the rights of expectant parents and adoptive parents, without applying pressure to either party at any point during the adoption process. Both expectant parents considering adoption and hopeful adoptive parents receive full education about the adoption process in order to make the best decision for their families. In addition, expectant parents considering adoption always maintain the right to change their mind about their decision any time prior to giving their adoption consent.

MyersStrickland continues to remain committed to ethical adoptions in the state of Arizona. For more information about how attorney Heather Strickland will protect your rights in your adoption journey, contact her office today.

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See the full 2019 Women of Influence slide show here.

Heather Strickland won Inside Tucson Business’ 2019 Women of Influence Legal Champion award on March 6, 2019, for her expertise in adoption and assisted reproduction law, and community outreach. Over 600 people attended an awards program at the Desert Diamond Casino to honor 58 finalists in 20 categories– from arts and education to finance, law, technology and more. Jason Joseph, president/publisher of Tucson Local Media, which hosted the awards, congratulated this year’s 210 nominees who go above and beyond every day to influence the lives of others in Southern Arizona. They “exemplify the hard work it takes to own a business, serve the community through volunteerism, mentor our children, work tirelessly in various professions and bring art and culture to our families,” said Joseph.

The Executive Director of AZAFAP (Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents), Dan Turner, was one of several people who nominated Heather. Turner wrote, in part: “Heather has a real passion for the work, taking great care to treat each prospective adoptive parent or birth mother as a PERSON– not a case– as they face what is often the most emotionally intense journey of their life. What is more influential than that? She makes the process understandable and the paperwork as painless as possible, toward the best possible outcome. I know from personal experience. She helped my own family adopt two of our three daughters.”

“In addition,” Turner continued, “she has graciously shared her expertise, compassion and resources with hundreds of adoptive families across our statewide Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents (AZAFAP), including our Adoption 101 and Guardianship workshops.”

A native Tucsonan and graduate of the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, Strickland began her legal career in 2005. In 2013 she became partners with Scott Myers, Tucson’s foremost adoption attorney since 1975, creating MyersStrickland, PLLC.

To learn more about Heather, the MyersStrickland team and our Tucson family-building services, please contact us today at 520-327-6041.

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Successful Adoption Workshop

Families for Private Adoption (FPA), established in 1984, is the oldest private adoption non-profit organization in the county. FPA has helped build families by providing education and resources to those hoping to build their families through a domestic, private adoption.

The organization began when a group of passionate individuals came together to support the journey of parenthood through adoption. 34 years later, the organization is as strong as ever.

FPA hosts workshops throughout the year for prospective adoptive parents hoping to learn more about the adoption process. The next workshop will be taking place on Saturday, April 21 in Phoenix, Arizona. The workshop is geared towards prospective adoptive parents hoping to learn more about Arizona’s adoption process. The cost of the workshop is $65 per couple ($75 at the door). This cost will include the day-long workshop, a 120-page adoption manual including practical information on the adoption process, a continental breakfast, snacks, and annual membership to Families for Private Adoption (up to a $65 value for the membership alone).

At this workshop, you will hear from two members of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, including Heather Strickland, adoptive parents, Momentum Adoption Agency, and a panel of brave women who placed their children for adoption. Join us and learn how to adopt, from start to finish, without using an adoption agency. FPA invites all hopeful adoptive parents to attend!

How can I learn more?

If you are interested in learning more about the Successful Adoption Workshop, you can visit https://www.ffpa.org/. You can also call our office and we would be more than happy to provide you with more information.

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The free fair was organized to provide foster, adoptive, and kinship families with the important resources available to them as they raise Arizona’s children. More than 300 children and adults attended and enjoyed Eegees, Blackjack Pizza, jumping castles, fun and games!  Organizations in attendance were Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents, Tucson licensing agencies, More Than a Bed, FACT Council, Foster Care Review Board, Girls Scouts of Southern Arizona, BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse), Arizona Subsidy, the Tucson Police Department, the Golder Ranch Fire Department, and others.

This event is slated to occur every six months, so be sure to look out for information on the next event!

The Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents

The Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents is a non-profit, statewide organization that serves families who adopt children and provide foster and kinship care.

Working in partnership with child welfare professionals and the community, their purpose is to support, educate, empower and provide a unified voice for Arizona’s foster and adoptive families, with the goal of increasing the well-being and stability of Arizona’s most vulnerable children.

For more information, visit http://azafap.org/

More Than a Bed

More Than a Bed supports foster families and the children in their homes by providing for practical needs. The organization inspires the community to get involved in the life of a foster child and support the family providing care. They encourage new families to become licensed and existing families to remain licensed with the goal for every child in Pima County and its surrounding areas to have a safe place to call home.

For more information, visit http://www.morethanabed.org/

Foster & Adoptive Council of Tucson

FACT’s missions is to raise awareness, develop support, create resources and promote advocacy for foster care and adoption among the Tucson community at large as well as key members of the community. FACT hopes to create a community where foster and adoptive homes are available for all children in need, as well as a community with a full range of supports available to children and to the foster parents who care for them.

For more information, visit http://fosterandadoptivecounciloftucson.org/

The Foster Care Review Board

The Foster Care Review Board advises the juvenile court on progress toward achieving a permanent home for a child or children involved in a dependency action and in an out-of-home placement. The well-being of these children is the highest concern to board members.

There is at least one Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) in each Arizona county with several boards in the more populated counties. There are five volunteer members on each board. They are appointed by the court and have a sincere interest and concern for children. These volunteers represent the various racial, ethnic, social and economic groups of the county in which they serve.

For more information, visit https://www.azcourts.gov/fcrb/

The Girl Scouts

The Girl Scouts 2.6 million strong—1.8 million girls and 800,000 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) to change the world.

Their extraordinary journey began more than 100 years ago with the original G.I.R.L., Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low. On March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, she organized the very first Girl Scout troop, and every year since, we’ve honored her vision and legacy, building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

The Girl Scouts are the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success.

For more information, visit http://www.girlscoutssoaz.org/

Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA)

Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (B.A.C.A.) is a non-profit, 501-C-3 tax exempt organization that exists to provide aid, comfort, safety, and support for children that have been sexually, physically, and emotionally abused. We are dedicated to the principle that one of the basic rights of childhood is to be safe and protected, and when the child’s family or environment have failed them, we stand ready to provide it to them.

B.A.C.A. is a strong organization of dedicated individuals who are willing to sacrifice any and all in order to protect and secure a child’s basic right to a happy childhood.

For more information, visit http://arizona.bacaworld.org/arizona/pima-county-chapter/

Tucson Police Department

The Tucson Police Department has worked very hard over a period of years to develop and insure a relationship of trust and partnership with our large immigrant community. The very fabric of our city is interwoven with residents from diverse backgrounds, representing many races and ethnicities that come from a wide range of places. Tucsonans pride themselves on kindness and inclusiveness.
For more information, visit https://www.tucsonaz.gov/police

The Golder Ranch Fire District

With integrity – Golder Ranch Fire District provides responsive and caring fire and life safety services that meet the emerging needs of our community through teamwork, dedication, and professionalism.

For more information, visit http://grfdaz.gov/

Adoption Subsidy

Through the Adoption Subsidy Program, children may be eligible to receive Title XIX benefits for medical, dental and mental health services. In addition, children may also be eligible to receive monthly maintenance subsidy payments, special support services, and non-recurring benefits, including legal expenses for adoption.

Adoption Subsidy case managers are available to provide consultation and support to assist parents in securing community resources and advocating on behalf of their children.

For more information, visit https://dcs.az.gov/sites/default/files/media/PAP-194-PD.pdf

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Families for Private Adoption (FPA), a non-profit, is expanding to Arizona.  The mission of FPA is to provide support and education to those seeking to build their families through independent (non-agency) domestic private adoption. Some of the ways in which FPA accomplishes this are through bi-annual workshops, a buddy system to help connect prospective adoptive parents with those who have successfully adopted, and social events throughout the year.  FPA is an all-volunteer run organization.

The President of West-Coast FPA is Alison England, an adoptive parent and social worker.  She has partnered with Heather M. Strickland of MyersStrickland, PLLC to help host the very first West-Coast workshop to be held on April 22, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Estrella Mountain Community College.

For more information about FPA and the upcoming training, please visit their website at ffpa.org.

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The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys has issued a press release in support of those affected by the IAC closing. The statement from AAAA president Colleen Quinn reads:

“The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys has recently learned of the impending bankruptcy filing by the Independent Adoption Center (IAC) which is licensed in California, Florida, New York, Indiana, Connecticut, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. The announced permanent closing of all IAC offices and its programs nationwide has left many families in dire straits. Some may be in the middle of an adoption and are now left without supervision of the placement in order to complete and finalize the adoption, while others have paid substantial sums of money to participate in the IAC adoption program, which money will now likely be lost. This is a situation which should never happen.

The Fellows of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys have pledged to assist those families that now find themselves in this untenable situation. The Academy will assist these families in order for them to obtain their files from IAC, or to have them transferred to other reputable licensed adoption agencies. The Academy will also assist in advising those families as to be best way to proceed with regard to their prospective adoptions. There will be no charge for these services.

A list of volunteer attorneys will be posted to the Academy website at adoptionART.org as of February 6, 2017. Alternatively, I can be contacted at president@adoptionART.org to provide referral to a volunteer attorney.”

MyersStrickland stands ready to assist any prospective adoptive families or birth mothers affected by the IAC closing. Please contact us today at (520) 327-6041 for more information on how we can help.

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