Adoption Service Information Agency (ASIA), based in Silver Spring, Maryland, provided adoption services and post-adoption support for almost 25 years. As international adoptions declined, ASIA realized operating as an independent agency wasn’t sustainable. By 2007, ASIA and Children’s Home merged to establish the Children’s Home East Office and be a local adoption resource for East Coast families.
The East Office has a small but mighty staff of three, supported by the active involvement of three current board members: Denise Dewhurst, Phyllis Norrie and Janet Romsaas. The three often volunteer at adoption fairs and in the office doing whatever is necessary to keep operations running smoothly.
DENISE DEWHURST
Board Member since 2017
As a mother of a daughter born in South Korea, I became involved with ASIA’s local support group. I taught pre-adoption classes for several years, and in my practice as a psychologist, I work with
many adoptive families. There are so many children in the world whose fundamental need for a family is not being met. Children’s Home has a great reputation as an ethical, well-respected, child-centered agency. It is an honor to
PHYLLIS NORRIE
Board Member since 2019
I have two beautiful children, both born in South Korea. When my son was planning to travel there several years ago, he wanted to do a search for his birth family. Knowing ASIA’s records were transferred to Children’s Home, I got in touch with their post-adoption services. That is when I renewed my connection to the adoption community, both for me and my children. Volunteering and financially supporting Children’s Home are ways I can pay it forward.
JANET ROMSAAS
Board Member since 2014
Two of my children were born in South Korea and adopted as infants through the ASIA program. We keep learning new things about transracial adoption — even now, 38 years after our first daughter came home. Through my service on the board, I can assist Children’s Home in finding loving homes for children, and support adoptees and their families in every phase of life. Thank you, Children’s Home, for being there at important moments of our children’s adoption stories. It’s up to us to help ensure Children’s Home can be there for all of us as the journey continues.
