Open Adoption

• The majority of adoptions processed today have some degree of “openness.” Open adoption refers to a situation in which the birth parents and adoptive parents work together to create a plan that is in the best interest of the child. In an open adoption, birthparents and adoptive parents have contact with each other, and have ongoing communication and relationships.

• In an open adoption, birth and adoptive parents share FULL identifying information.

• Expectant parents are able to select the family of their choice and have direct communication with the adopting parents during the pregnancy and also following the adoptive placement at the level of openness all parties feel comfortable with and mutually agree to.

• Contact in a fully open adoption typically includes a combination of texting, photo sharing, letter/email, phone/video calls, social media, and in-person visits.

• The level of openness and ongoing contact in open adoptions vary based on birth and adoptive parent preferences/desires and it is highly recommended to seek the guidance and support of an adoption counselor/professional.

Research shows that open adoption is best practice for the following main reasons:

• Supports everyone in the adoption triad (birthparents, adoptive parents, adopted child)

• Acknowledges and supports the grief and loss process

• Results in better psychological outcomes

The greatest benefit of openness is accessed by the adopted child. The child understands he/she was placed out of love and has a better understanding of the meaning of adoption. The child has a connection to and an understanding of his/her heritage, family history, medical information, and personality traits. Through active communication with his/her adoptive parents and an ongoing connection to their birth family, the child is able to establish a secure identity, self-confidence, and sense of belonging.

In an open adoption, birth parents are able to have a role in the child’s life, often similar to an extended family member or friend relationship. Through ongoing contact and connection, birth parents often feel reassured with their decision when they know the child is happy, loved, and taken care of. The continued contact with the family and child promotes healing in the grief and loss process.

Adoptive parents benefit from openness as it provides them with a sense of honor in parenting due to being selected by the birth parents. Due to the ongoing contact and relationships with birth parents, any concern that he or she wants to “take my child back” or regret their decision is alleviated. Lastly, the adoptive family has direct access to their child’s medical and family history as well as information that will assist them in raising their child and discussing his/her adoption story openly.

Recommended books on Open Adoption:

• The Family of Adoption

• The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption: Helping your Child Grow Up Whole

• The Open Adoption Experience

• Making Room in Our Hearts

​Documentaries / Video Clips:

• “Openness in Adoption: From Fearful to Fearless”

(Click link or enter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HZWh-Yn2XA&feature=youtu.be)​

• “Understanding Open Adoption,” a documentary co-produced by Rhondal McKinney and DAI and filmed/edited by Benjamin Howard-McKinney, features perspectives from adoption professionals and families who are experiencing open adoption.

​Articles:

• “Embracing Open Adoption”

• “Openness in Adoption: From Secrecy and Stigma to Knowledge and Connections”

• “Openness in Adoption: Building Relationships Between Adoptive and Birth Families”

• “Impact of Adoption on Birth Parents”

• “Impact of Adoption on Adoptive Parents”

• “Impact of Adoption on Adopted Persons”

​Online Training :

• Openness in Adoption: What a Concept! (Presented by The Donaldson Institute)

  1. • Visit https://www.adoptioninstitute.org/openness/ to access this online training. This training has three parts: Exploring Openness in Adoption, Experiencing Openness in Adoption and Living Openness in Adoption. After you have viewed each part, you are able to take a quiz to determine how much you learned from this educational experience.

     • In addition, as a part of the Openness Training, you have access to the User Guide which provides detailed information, key concepts, terms and exercises that will help guide you throughout the training. You may download the User Guide here.