Meet the Team
just for fun
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JC is a professional drummer
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She's obsessed with her 3 dogs, Elle, Reese & Addison
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Known for her sense of humor and elaborate pranks
JANELLE "JC" ROUSSEL
President and CEO
With a career spanning over 30 years in adoption, foster care, child welfare, and family services, JC brings a wealth of experience to Rhode to Adoption. She is a skilled human service professional who has held leadership and chair positions for a multitude of committees and organizations. She has extensive expertise in regulatory compliance, state adoption licensing and acquiring national accreditation for Hague, Council on Accreditation (COA), and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
As an Adoption Professional, JC prides herself on her “staying fresh.” Even in her role of CEO, she will often work directly with prospective adoptive parents in completing their Home Study and other adoption requirements.
JC has a deep passion for training and education and enjoys facilitating in-person trainings. In her experience facilitating adoption trainings, she has seen the value of the relationships, and sometimes lifelong connections, formed. JC seeks to ensure that all those impacted by adoption have the education and training they need to be successful, and ensures that Rhode to Adoption is here for them throughout the adoption process and beyond. She can often be heard saying, “Once a Rhode to Adoption family, always a Rhode to Adoption family.”
JC holds a Masters Degree from Salve Regina University. She is a member of the Child Welfare League of America.
LYNN GABBARD
Director of Education and Lifespan Support
Lynn Gabbard has worked in the field of Adoption and Child Welfare for over 45 years, most recently serving as Director of Adoption Services for Lutheran Social Services of New England. She founded and directed the LSSNE Post Adoption Resource Center, a statewide resource center designed to meet the ongoing needs of adopted children and their families, as well as provide training for adoption professionals, clinicians, etc. She is a frequent presenter/trainer on topics related to child placement and postadoption services and has testified before Congressional subcommittees regarding various
adoption-related issues. Lynn was the recipient of the CT Council on Adoption annual award for “Dedicated Service to the Children of CT,” is Connecticut
representative to the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC), past president of the Open Door Society of Connecticut, a statewide adoptive parent support group, and serves on various state and local adoption-focused committees. She and her husband are parents to seven children, now adults, all of whom joined the family through adoption.
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just for fun
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Lynn is the adoptive mother of 7 now adult children
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Lynn has four "very wonderful" grandchildren
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Favorite places to visit (because her kids live there) Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Massachusetts and China
CRISANA GIGUERE
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Crisana Giguere is a dedicated Master’s level Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a passion for helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges. As a young child, Crisana was introduced to adoption by attending countless celebrations that were planned and led by her mother. (Janelle Roussel, CEO for Rhode to Adoption) Crisana fondly remembers shadowing her mother on post-placement visits and was able to see first hand the joy of adoption.
Currently, Crisana specializes in child and family mental health counseling as well as childhood trauma, and supporting children and families with developmental disabilities. Drawing on extensive training and a commitment to social justice, Crisana works collaboratively with clients to foster resilience, promote mental health, and improve overall well-being. Whether providing
one-on-one counseling, advocating for client needs, or helping clients access essential resources, Crisana strives to empower individuals to achieve meaningful, lasting change.
Crisana is employed as a mental health counselor at Rhode Island Oak Counseling which is located in Bristol, RI. Crisana holds a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree from Regis College and is licensed (LCSW) in the state of Rhode Island.
just for fun
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Cris has been a vegetarian since age 10
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She danced for 15 years
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She adores her kitties Amarra, Angell, and Ki
Board of Directors
Board Member
Paula Caplan
Paula is an adult adoptee and Columbia University–trained Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than three decades of experience. An expert in attachment trauma and evidence-based treatment, she is the founder of Evive Wellness Center and brings both clinical leadership and lived experience to the adoption community. Paula enjoys physical fitness, vacationing at the Cape and spending time with her two children.
Board Member
Stacey Andrade
Stacey holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Human Development and Holistic Counseling from Salve Regina University. In her journey to build a family with her husband, Andy, she thoughtfully considered adoption as a path to parenthood, bringing personal perspective to the adoption community. A former Director of the Twice As Nice Childcare Center and Preschool, she provided program leadership and staff development. Outside of her professional work, Stacey enjoys the beach, watching baseball, and game nights with family and friends.
Board Member
Lynn Gabbard
Lynn is a retired social worker and has over 40 years of experience working in the adoption field. She teaches at Quinnipiac University and is a member of the Connecticut Council on Adoption. She and her husband have adopted seven children, now adults. Lynn enjoys spending as much time with her family as she can.
Adoption Workers
Adoption Worker
Katie Grifka, MSW, LICSW
Katie Grifka is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the State of Rhode Island. She works full-time as a middle school social worker and also owns a private practice, providing counseling to adults and adolescents. With experience in social work since the early 2000s, Katie has worked in foster care, adoption, and residential care. She is pleased to be working in the field of adoption again, guiding families through the home study process. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, skiing, and watching her daughters compete in gymnastics.
Adoption Worker
Michelle Horne
Michelle has been a licensed social worker for over twenty years with a heart for empowering families and individuals throughout the journey of parenthood. With two decades of experience in adoption, foster care, child welfare, and family services, Michelle is a strong advocate for children ensuring that the best interest of a child is at the heart of all decisions made. Michelle is also a caring and dedicated doula empowering women during birth. In her leisure time, Michelle enjoys being a dedicated mom, rescuing dogs and spending time by the water.
Adoption Worker
Stacey Andrade
Stacey holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Human Development and Holistic Counseling from Salve Regina University. As a former Director of a Childcare Center, she provided program leadership and staff development. Stacey enjoys comedy shows and spending time with her husband and four adult children.