To learn more, call 1-800-772-1115 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) . You can also request information by filling out our prospective adoptive parent contact form.
Free information packet Get introduced to our program with our free information packet. To request a packet, please contact us. Adoption information meeting Attend an optional, no-cost Adoption Information Meeting to learn more about our philosophy and hear an overview of our program. These free meetings are held monthly via Zoom. Contact us to reserve your spot. Pre-adoption seminar This 12-hour interactive workshop provides prospective adoptive parents with an overview of the emotional, procedural, and legal issues aspects of open adoption, and introduces families to the OA&FS philosophy and values. It also satisfies pre-adoption training requirements in Oregon and Washington.Seminars are held via Zoom most months of the year, typically on Tuesday afternoon and all day Wednesday. Learn more about the seminar and see upcoming dates here. To register for an upcoming seminar, contact OA&FS Client Services Manager Lori Maas at 503-226-4870 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) lori@openadopt.org Application & intake meeting Families who decide that their values align with OA&FS will complete the necessary application paperwork and an OA&FS counselor will schedule an Application & Intake meeting, often held virtually. In this meeting, the counselor will learn more about the prospective adoptive family’s circumstances and gather information to assess whether the family is a good fit for OA&FS. This is another opportunity for prospective adoptive families to determine whether OA&FS feels like the right fit for them too. Please note that attendance at the OA&FS Seminar is a prerequisite to scheduling an application & intake meeting. Homestudy & family preparation After a family submits required homestudy paperwork, their counselor will meet with them several times, including at least one visit at their home, to get to know them. The homestudy process is also an ongoing assessment of whether a family is prepared for open adoption through our agency. The counselor will write a homestudy report that will be shared with expectant parents when they are considering choosing an adoptive family. This report includes detailed information about a family’s home and neighborhood; family lifestyle; values and religion; parenting attitudes and philosophy; preparation for adoption; autobiographical information about each prospective parent, including their childhood, relationships, milestones, and challenges; and, if the family is a couple, their relationship history, strengths, and challenges. As part of the homestudy and preparation process, counselors share information and encourage additional learning by prospective adoptive families, with the goal of preparing them for a potential open adoption relationship. While their counselor is writing their homestudy, prospective adoptive parents prepare a letter, photo book, and video for their profile on the OA&FS website. Meet OA&FS waiting families here. Waiting family pool entry Once a family completes their materials and a favorable homestudy is written, they enter the waiting families pool. Their profile can now be viewed online and expectant parents can request to read their homestudy. Waiting families are encouraged to attend monthly pool parties to learn about adoption-related topics and connect with other families. Their counselor continues to be available for support as needed.
Adoption planning If an expectant parent chooses to meet a prospective adoptive family, OA&FS schedules and facilitates an introductory meeting. After that meeting, both parties will decide whether to proceed into adoption planning. During adoption planning, they receive support and guidance as they begin building an open adoption relationship and make important decisions around things such as naming, hospital time, and ongoing contact. The counselor will also ensure the procedural and logistical details of the adoption plan are in place. Learn more about adoption planning. Placement OA&FS provides guidance and support to all parties before, during, and after placement. Placement sometimes happens at a hospital right after a baby is born, but not always. OA&FS supports birth parents in deciding when to sign their legal consents and how they want to spend time with their child before placement. At the time of placement, some people choose to honor the moment the child is transitioning from one family to another with an entrustment ceremony that honors and reflects the birth parents’ entrustment of their child to the adoptive parents. This could be a few simple words, the exchange of cards or letters, a small gift, or giving a child their first bath together. This shared time is symbolic of the trust, respect, and value for everyone coming together to support this child. It signifies their mutual commitment to their ongoing relationship, holding the child at the center. Adoption finalization Adoptive parents obtain an attorney to finalize their adoption. Finalization occurs after OA&FS has supervised the placement. The post-placement supervision period is approximately 3 to 6 months and includes one or more visits to the adoptive family’s home, as well as virtual visits and ongoing communication. Ongoing support At OA&FS, you will always be welcome to access our ongoing services. These include adoption-related counseling and open adoption relationship guidance. From our summer picnics to our holiday parties, OA&FS hosts a variety of events where you can connect with other adoptive and birth families. There are also public speaking opportunities: Adoptive parents are invited to help educate others about open adoption by sharing their stories at a variety of venues. Read more about ongoing support and community.
“ We highly recommend OA&FS for their great support of both birth parents and adoptive families. They are so respectful of all parties, and provide ongoing help. They are always there for you. ” ~ Jeff & Vicki, OA&FS adoptive parents
Yes. Adoptive parents from throughout the United States can adopt through OA&FS with the exception of residents of the state of New York, which places restrictions on out-of-state private agency adoption. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen in order to adopt, however, you do need to legally live in the U.S. as your primary residence. On average about 10% of waiting families in our pool reside outside of Washington and Oregon.
How is an adoptive family chosen?
Adoptive families are chosen by expectant parents, who consider families that are open to their specific situation. When choosing an adoptive family, expectant parents consider what is important to them as they review prospective adoptive family profiles. These profiles include an introductory letter, photo book with autobiographical information, video, and homestudy.
How large is your waiting families pool?
The number of families in our waiting families pool varies. The current three-year average is 63. We do not limit the number of families in our waiting families pool because we believe that expectant parents should be able to choose from as many families as they can in a given situation. We have found that the number of families stays relatively consistent over time, with families leaving the pool for a variety of reasons, including planning an adoption, becoming parents through another path, or choosing not to pursue parenting after all.
What is the process to become a waiting family?
Prospective adoptive parents attend our Pre-Adoption Seminar, then meet one-on-one with an agency counselor for an Application & Intake meeting to assess whether we are mutually a good fit. If they are approved to proceed, they move through the homestudy process, which consists of a home visit and a series of interviews with their counselor whose goal is to get to know them and write their homestudy report. Once they have an approved homestudy and have completed their family profile materials, they are able to enter our waiting families pool.
What preparation do prospective adoptive parents receive?
Each step of our preparation process for prospective adoptive parents includes in-depth learning, ongoing assessment, and continuous self-reflection – with the goal of preparing families to best support the ongoing needs of adopted children. This starts with our two-day Pre-Adoption Seminar. The next step is an Application & Intake meeting to assess whether we are mutually a good fit. If approved to proceed, families complete the homestudy process, which includes more required learning and a series of interviews with their OA&FS counselor. Once they have an approved homestudy report, they are able to enter our waiting families pool. From here, we provide continued opportunities for pre-adoption learning that build on prospective adoptive parents’ commitment to openness in adoption and their understanding of the complexities in adoption. Read more about these preparation steps here.
How do I get started if I want to adopt a child?
OA&FS offers a free adoption information meeting for anyone interested in learning more about adoption through our agency. This is a great place to start!
