In our Staff Spotlight Series, we catch up with the talented, dedicated and compassionate individuals who help make everything our organization does possible. This month we are featuring Lyla Ronchak, foster care and adoption supervisor. Read more about Lyla’s work and life below!
When did you join CH/LSS, what is your current role, and what are some of your primary responsibilities?
I joined CHLSS in January 2020 as a foster care adoption family worker and child specific recruiter (CSR). I currently work as a social work supervisor in the Foster Care Adoption Program, specifically overseeing the Child Specific Recruitment team. Some of my primary responsibilities are supporting my team of both child specific recruiters and family workers, managing referrals and connecting with county workers for our Child Specific Services.
What originally drew you to the field of foster care and adoption?
During college, I minored in child advocacy studies and had a special interest in child welfare. I knew I wanted to work with children in some capacity and loved the idea of being able to help bring families together. I quickly learned that working with children often means working with their families and felt that the mixed role of a family worker/licensor and child specific recruiter was a perfect fit.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I truly love working with my staff to solve difficult situations and see the way they all work with the best interests of children and youth in mind. Child specific recruiters work hard to form relationships with youth in foster care, and it is a joy to see how these relationships grow and evolve over time. While the adoption and placement stories are always a highlight, the everyday work is a pleasure to be a part of.
Based on your experience working in the field of foster care and adoption, what is something everyone should know about foster care and/or adoption that they might not?
Teenagers need families just as much as young kids, and parenting doesn’t end when a child turns 18. I like to encourage families to think about what sorts of support they needed when they were young adults.. There are tons of families who are already licensed to adopt or take foster placements for young kids, and what we really need are families open to supporting older teens.
What advice would you give to families thinking of beginning their adoption journey?
Be okay with asking for help. Parenting, especially through foster care and adoption, is not meant to be a solo journey, and there are so many people who can be there for you and offer support. The most successful families are ones who are willing to speak up when they are struggling. No one will tell you it is an easy process, so be prepared to have support in place.
Switching gears to life outside of work – what does an ideal weekend look like for you?
An ideal weekend would include dinner out with my husband, friends and going for a walk with my golden retriever, Teddy. I enjoy playing pickleball and setting aside some time to recharge by reading or watching a new documentary. I love having a mix of activities and down time, but I am a true homebody.
If you could travel anywhere in the world in the next year, where would you go and what would you do?
Most of my travel plans revolve around seeing friends and family out of state. Most recently I traveled to Hawaii, Florida and North Carolina. If I could travel anywhere in the next year I would love to go to Italy or Banff!
What is the last book, movie, or TV series you loved?
I am currently watching The Summer I Turned Pretty and love a cute teen romance TV series or movie. Since finishing grad school, I have also been loving reading for fun again. I am currently reading Conditions of Will by Jessa Hastings which has reignited my love for a good family drama/romance story!
What is something that always brings a smile to your face?
Letting my golden retriever puppy out of his kennel every morning. He is always so excited for the day ahead and it reminds me not to take things so seriously, and to go into the day with an open mind of what could possibly go right.
