About Us

The Pregnancy and Birth Parent Services program at LSS has been providing comprehensive non-directive decision making counseling services to Minnesota women facing unplanned pregnancies for over 100 years. We believe that each and every person facing the stress of an unplanned pregnancy has a very personal decision to make. As pregnancy services professionals it is our responsibility to know the options available, have a basic knowledge of the implications of the different options, and provide information and education on each option.

Valerie Romanoski - Minneapolis/St. Paul Valerie.Romanoski@lssmn.org • (612) 879-5271

Valerie received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work and Masters degree in Management from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, and her Masters degree in Social Work from the College of St. Catherine/University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Valerie began working at LSS as the Manger of Birth Parent Services in 2005. She is a licensed Graduate Social Worker with many years of work with adoption and birthparent clients. Valerie is a firm believer in open adoption, with a passion for providing quality services to clients.

Allie Schmidt - Minneapolis/St. Paul Allie.Schmidt@lssmn.org • (612) 879-5262

Allie began for LSS Adoption in 1999 and began working as a social worker for Birth Parent services in 2002. Allie received her Masters degree in Social Work from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN. She has a real passion for working with clients.

Betsy Trondson - Minneapolis/St. Paul Betsy.Trondson@lssmn.org • (612) 879-5235

Betsy received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN and her Master's degree in Social Work at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She is a strong advocate for all members of the adoption triad having worked with both birh and adoptive parents since 1993. Betsy joined the Birthparent Service staff at LSS in 2008.

Dianne Delaney - St. Cloud Area Dianne.Delaney@lssmn.org • (320) 251-7700

Dianne earned her Bachelor's degree from the College of St. Benedict in 1986. She is a licensed social worker who has been providing birth parent services in central Minnesota since 1994. Dianne joined LSS in 2001. She is a passionate believer in open adoption, and is very dedicated to serving her clients' needs. She loves her work and feels it is what she was called to do!

Jessica Gunderson - Mankato Area Jessica.Gunderson@lssmn.org • (507) 625-7660 x 236

Jessica is a licensed social worker who received her Bachelor’s degree in social work from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Jessica has been working as a Birth Parent Social Worker since 2006. She enjoys working with clients and is a strong advocate for her clients needs.

Kjerstin Rydeen - Duluth Area Kjerstin.Rydeen@lssmn.org • (218) 726-4786

Kjerstin began working for LSS as a Birth Parent Social Worker in 2006. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Work from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and completed her Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. Kjerstin enjoys serving and advocating on behalf of her clients.

Vicki Haugen - Moorhead Area Vicki.Haugen@lssmn.org • (218) 236-1494 x215

Vicki has a passion for helping to build families for children from all around the world. She received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and has previous experience in county and hospital social work. Vicki has been at LSS since 1997 serving the adoptive families and birth parents of northwest Minnesota.

Rachel Faust - Rochester Area Rachel Faust@lssmn.org • (507) 990-9335

Rachel graduated from Luther College with a degree in Social Work. She began working for LSS as a Pregnacy Counselor and Birth Parent Worker in the spring of 2008. She enjoys working with clients and advocating for each individuals needs.