Learn About Open Adoption

As you consider adoption, find guidance about questions to ask, how agencies work, the various types of adoption, and resources to help you make an informed decision.

Hello Before Goodbye

Therapist Marlou Russell, Ph.D. explains why she believes it's important to allow mother-child bonding without the presence of prospective adoptive parents before birth.... [more]

Learn About Open Adoption

Learn about open adoption from organizations, individuals, and therapists; for expectant and adopting parents.... [more]

Legal considerations for those seeking to adopt and those placing a child include locating an adoption attorney, understanding legal definitions, knowing the law governing each type of adoption, and knowing your rights.... [more]

Legal Options for Caregivers

When substitute care for children is needed, options include adoption, guardianship, legal custody, and others. Learn what each involves and state restrictions.... [more]

Navigating the Agency Maze

Adoption agencies are a flourishing presence on the Internet, but how do you know which ones are really best for you? Here are some tips to help navigate the maze.... [more]

Placing a Child for Adoption: Fear

Placing a child for adoption is filled with questions and fears. Birthmothers offer insight.... [more]

Post-Adoption Contact Agreements

What you need to know about these written agreements between placing and adopting parents: What they are, why you might want to make one, how to make one, and legal considerations.... [more]

Open Adoption
Good descriptive information including references to the 1998 McRoy/Grotevant Study and a study by Marianne Berry stating, "In 69% of public and private agency adoptions, the birth parents had met the adoptive couple." From the NAIC.

What Is Open Adoption?
In this article written by a birthmother in a fully open adoption, the practice is described as child-centered, based on the needs of the child, and requiring commitment and work. From Insight: Open Adoption Resources & Support.

A Look At Open Adoption
Author and adoptive parent Lois Melina presents the case for open adoption to adopting parents.

Counseling Is Important
Counseling is a crucial part of the open adoption process, for both expectant and adoptive parents, from the Independent Adoption Center.

Minnesota/Texas Adoption Research Project
This highly acclaimed ongoing project examines open adoption and its consequences on adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents.

Open Adoption Is Not Shared Parenting
Dispelling some of the myths, from the Independent Adoption Center.

States With Cooperative Adoption Statutes
A few states have statutes covering contractual obligations for ongoing contact in open adoptions, from the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute.

"The Child In An Open Adoption"
What about the child? Is open adoption going to cause conflict? Misunderstandings? What are the benefits to the child? From the Independent Adoption Center.

The Open Adoption Question
Lorie Angeline, Editor of the Southern Tier Adoptive Families Newsletter, describes how and why she and her husband changed their minds.

Varieties of Relationships in Open Adoption
While there are varying degrees of closeness and contact, open adoption is the joy of adding family. From the Independent Adoption Center.