Sunshine State Adoption and Home Study Services was founded by Debra Hewitt, M.S. and was simply the next step in a career that spans over 22 years and has always been connected to working with children and families. As a resident of Orlando since she was four-years old, ‘Sunshine State’ seemed a fitting name when she founded a non-profit agency to serve the Florida adoption community.

Debra has worked with adoptive families, providing home studies and adoption services for over 23 years. Debra employs a team of social workers to help her offer services to the entire State of Florida. All of her social workers have a passion for helping families grow.

On the personal side, Debra truly understands the adoption process which ends in the ultimate thrill: a family. She and her husband, John, have three adopted children that bring joy to their lives every single day. Debra is active in the central Florida adoption community, providing support to waiting families and to those who already have a placement of a child, but may still have questions from the most simple to emotional and complex. Throughout her career, Debra has helped over 3,500 children find a permanent home with loving parents. When she finds a brief moment of downtime, Debra enjoys walking, reading, sewing, boating, riding her bike and going to the beach.

Stacy has been working in child welfare since graduating from Florida State University in 2007 and working with Sunshine State Adoption and Home Study Services since 2015. She has experience working with families through the dependency system, as well as helping people create families through adoption. Stacy has expertise in the following adoption areas: special needs, relative, domestic, international, embryo, as well as private and state adoptions. Stacy mainly covers territory from Pensacola to Jefferson and Taylor county (and everywhere in between), but is willing to travel anywhere a family needs her! In fact, she once traveled to Spain for a home study!

Stacy lives in North Florida with her husband and together they enjoy traveling, boating, and spending time with their families. Fun fact: Stacy has visited every continent except Asia and Antarctica (which is scheduled for December 2023!).

Pam Weyh has worked in the adoption field since 2003. After finding her passion working with adoptive families and children, Pam followed her dream and returned to school as an adult and graduated with her masters in social work from University of Central Florida in 2005, with special training in children, families and addictions. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and loves all areas of her job.

Pam spends her free time in the kitchen cooking and baking, reading, learning and traveling. She also loves spending time with her four children and seven grandchildren. Pam believes children are a blessing beyond price and that all children deserve a safe, loving home with a parent or parents who will nurture and unconditionally love them.

Julia Hewitt was adopted from Guatemala as an infant. She currently attends Flagler college and is majoring in graphic design and business. Julia works part time in the office as an administrative assistant. Julia enjoys going to the beach, sailing, running, sewing and designing and making jewelry.

Hillary Robbins and her husband have adopted two children from China, giving her both a professional and personal understanding of the adoption process. Hillary works in the agency’s Research and Review department. She brings a wealth of expertise with her qualifications and experience providing clients with trusted expertise and guidance.