Meet Caseworker Amy Brott – A Commitment to Adoption

For Amy Brott, an Adoptions Caseworker at Fremont County, social work is more than just a job—it’s her true calling, her “right chair.” Amy’s path to finding this profound sense of purpose is a testament to her dedication, starting the path to change careers at the age of 50. After working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for more than 15 years, Amy went to school online during the day and worked nights to get her bachelor’s degree. After initial stints in other child welfare roles, an administrator advised her to find her “right chair.” For Amy, that chair was in adoptions at Fremont County, a role she’s held for nearly four years.

“I love adoptions,” said Amy, whose filing cabinet is covered in photos of kids she has worked with who have been adopted. “I can’t imagine doing anything else in my life now. It’s so rewarding, especially the tough cases. I get to go into the homes where kids get their forever homes. I get to see the ending. I get to sit in the courtroom on adoption day and listen to these parents tell how much they love these kids.”

Amy’s unwavering dedication is legendary among her colleagues. For Amy, this means doing whatever it takes to support a family and a child’s journey to permanency. This includes meeting families where they are, both physically and emotionally. To accommodate parents’ work schedules, Amy routinely schedules late-night home visits. 

“I will do a 5:30 visit,” she explained. “I will do that because the last thing I want them to do is jeopardize their job and their employment to do a visit with me.” 

Amy is also known for her resourcefulness, saying she will go “to the ends of the earth” to find crucial services for her families, such as free or online parenting classes and suitable therapists—often using her personal time to search. She is a strong advocate for evidence-based resources like the TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) class for adoptive families and parents. Her most defining trait, however, is being a “truth teller.” Amy believes everyone deserves the truth, and her approach to building trust is rooted in direct, honest communication. She manages difficult conversations by remaining calm and professional, always starting from a place of empathy and active listening. 

“I was raised to be empathetic and I don’t judge them. I was raised to tell the truth, and I don’t sugarcoat it,” she stated, adding her core belief is that it is “easier to fix a truth than fix a lie.” 

This steadfast, persistent approach has led to positive outcomes in some of the most complex cases. Amy worked with her colleagues on including a sibling group of five who were successfully divided into two loving homes near each other and a complicated reunification where her persistence ensured two fathers had a second chance to prove they could provide the best environment for their children. In another case involving a 17-year-old with an incarcerated father, Amy allowed the young man to lead the process of re-engaging with his family, never forcing a relationship and prioritizing his emotional well-being.

“The family that adopted four kids, she will still send me pictures of those kids. And when they renamed one of their girls, they named her after me. It was so moving,” Amy said of another tough case with a positive outcome. 

Despite the demanding nature of her work, Amy ensures her commitment is sustainable. While the schedule can be demanding at times, she has found healthy ways to recharge. Her self-care includes walking her dog (a pocket pitbull), going to car shows with her new partner, playing cornhole and disc golf, tending to her two goats, Winchester and Remington, and rediscovering her love for fishing.

“We’re going to go ice fishing soon. I’ve never been ice fishing before in my life and I’m so excited about that,” said Amy.

Amy is also quick to praise the supportive environment at Fremont County, noting the “open door policies” of the administrators and a culture where everyone helps each other out. After her late-in-life start in the field, Amy affirmed, “This will be my last job.” From a CNA to a passionate Adoptions Caseworker, Amy exemplifies the dedication and compassion at the heart of child welfare. Her commitment ensures that even the toughest cases end with the joy of children finding permanency.