ABOUT
Dr. Mark Andrews
Founder/Director AFR
MY PASSION
IS PERSONAL
I believe in the innate strength of family. My work is dedicated to my wife Lisa, our son Michael, and daughter Sara.
My own experience as an adoptive parent since 1994 has also reinforced my belief in the need for increased pre- and post-placement support and education for parents. Like all adoptive parents, much of my and my wife’s experience was trial and error—especially in that we had not been parents previously.
I have learned a lot over the past three decades! I have “walked the walk” of experiencing both the mountains
and valleys (and everything in-between) of the adoptive parent life.
It is my passion to pass on what I’ve learned to other adoptive and foster parents. Thus, in 2018 I concluded my time working in the mental health field to begin Adoptive Family Resources (AFR). Adoptive Family Resources, Inc. provides support, resources and ongoing training for adoptive and foster parents during all phases of their parenting journey
Having worked for nearly three decades in the counseling/mental health field with many foster and adoptive families, I noticed a consistent theme and request—the need for additional/enhanced training and support in both the pre-adoption and pre-fostering period as well as in the post-adoption and fostering phases. Historically, adoption and foster agencies have provided adequate training and support prior to a child being placed in an adoptive or foster home. However, what has been requested by many parents is the additional and much needed follow-up support and post-adoptive education needed to assist them for the long haul. This fact has been reinforced to me in the real-life stories I’ve heard from parents that I coach, as well as those who attend the support groups I lead.
MY EXPERIENCE
IS REAL
Along with providing support groups, training and Parent-to-Parent Coaching on a local level, I've also had the privilege of leading workshops on a national level at the National Adoption Conference, The Adoptive & Foster Parents Association of Georgia Annual Conference, and the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) annual SUMMIT Conference. Additionally, in 2019, I completed an organizational survey project for CAFO
I am a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary where I earned a Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis on Youth, Family and Culture.
Well-versed in in trauma-informed care
of children and adolescents, I worked as a family counselor for nearly 30 years in both public mental health and private faith
based setting
My wife Lisa and I live in Newnan, GA,
and are the parents of two adult children, Michael and Sara, whom we adopted
from India in 1994 and 1999. As a veteran adoptive parent, I understand both the
joys and challenges of parenting in an adoptive family.
In the public mental health arena, I served
as Mental Health Lead Liaison to the Department of Family and Children's Services of Clayton County, GA (metro-Atlanta area) as well as Coordinator of the Clayton Center Community Support Team, a home, school and hospital-focused support and behavioral intervention program for high risk youth and their families.
As a 501 (c) (3) organization, donations to Adoptive Family Resources, Inc. are tax-deductible.
Your donation helps us to provide services such as "Parent-to-Parent Coaching" at reduced rates to adoptive and foster families.
Blair Walker
Chair
Executive Director,
Interfaith Chapel, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
AFR BOARD MEMBERS
Marlond Fyffe
Vice Chair
Director of Culture and Strategic Partnerships Primecare Homecare
Services, Inc., Atlanta, GA
Kelvin Thompson
Secretary
Licensed Professional Counselor
Peachtree City, GA
Julie Yokum
Assistant Treasurer
Life Coach
Fayetteville, GA
Katie Petrov
Senior Tax Analyst
Chick-fil-A Support Center
Atlanta, GA
- Michaela Guthrie, LMSW, Program Executive,
Crossroads Foster and Adoption, Union City, GA
“Mark is an incredible resource to adoptive families from both a professional and personal standpoint. He has led trainings for our Crossroads foster and adoptive parents, and they have enjoyed the passion and wealth of knowledge that he brings to this field. I am excited to see how he and Adoptive Family Resources will continue to positively impact the lives of more children and families!”