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Openness in Adoption
In an open adoption, contact among birth parents, adoptive parents, and often the adopted child allows these family members to communicate and stay connected. This interaction may range from infrequent contact to mediated contact through a third party, email, or a P.O. box, to ongoing communication with shared identifying information. This section includes resources and information on openness options available to birth and adoptive parents, including State and local examples.
Adoption Opportunity Grantees: Improve Permanency Outcomes by Developing Services and Supports for Youth Who Wish to Retain Contact With Family Members
National Resource Center for Adoption
Provides information about 9 grants awarded by the Children's Bureau in October of 2005 to explore innovative programs to achieve youth permanency, including open adoption. Tools, curricula, videos, and other materials produced by the grantees are included.
Openness in Adoption | |
Series Title: | Bulletins for Professionals |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 304KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2003 - 10 pages |
This fact sheet defines open adoption, including information about the laws regarding open adoption and research findings about the effects of open adoption on the adoption triad. It discusses implications for agency policy around adoption openness, foster care adoptions, and when open adoption may not be in the child's best interest. It includes a list of useful web sites, books and articles for both families and professionals, and the pros and cons of each type of adoption (confidential, mediated, and open). |
Bridging the Divide: Openness in Adoption and Post-adoption: Psychosocial Adjustment Among Birth and Adoptive Parents (PDF - 167 KB)
Ge, Natsuaki, Martin, Leve, Neiderhiser, Shaw et al.
Journal of Family Psychology, 22(4), 2008
Examines the association between the degree of adoption openness and birth and adoptive parents' postadoption adjustment shortly after the adoption placement (6 to 9 months).
Ethical Issues in Open Adoption: Implications for Practice
Riemer & Siegel
Families in Society, 88(1), 2007
View Abstract and Document
Provides a comprehensive overview of ethical issues associated with forms of open adoption, including privacy, confidentiality, self-determination, paternalism, conflicts of interest, deception, and truth-telling.
Hospitious Adoption: How Hospitality Empowers Children and Transforms Adoption
Gritter (2009)
View Abstract
Describes hospitality as the next step after open adoption and promotes the approach of practicing goodwill, respect, and courage to make the process move smoothly. The book discusses how relationships between birth parents and adoptive parents can be supported and nurtured using hospitality and illustrates the steps with case studies.
MN/TX Adoption Research Project
University of Minnesota
Provides information about the Minnesota/Texas Adoption Research Project, a longitudinal study that focuses on the consequences of variations in openness in adoption arrangements for birth parents, adoptive parents, and adopted children. Key findings from the project are presented, which has followed the participants for over 20 years.
Open Adoption: Could Open Adoption be the Best Choice for You and Your Baby? | |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway & the Office of Population Affairs |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 3,283KB) |
Year Published: | 2011 - 20 pages |
Provides definitions of terms and answers to questions pregnant women may have about open adoption. Legal concerns, the benefits of open adoption, and what to expect before and after the birth are discussed. |
Openness in Adoption and the Impact on Birth Mother Plans for Search and Reunion
Ayers-Lopez, Henney, McRoy, Hanna, & Grotevant
Families in Society, 89(4), 2008
View Abstract
Examines stories of searches by birth mothers based on their age, marital status, parenting status, and, significantly, the level of adoption opennessfully disclosed, mediated, or confidential.
Openness in Adoption: Outcomes for Adolescents Within Their Adoptive Kinship Networks
Grotevant, Perry, & McRoy (2007)
View Abstract and Document
Summarizes and discusses findings and policy implications of a longitudinal study of variations in openness in adoption, exploring the features and dynamics of this changing adoption practice.
Postadoption Contact Agreements Between Birth and Adoptive Families | |
Series Title: | State Statutes |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 352KB) |
Year Published: | 2011 - 48 pages |
Presents State statutes on postadoption contact agreements, which are arrangements that allow contact between a child's adoptive family and members of the child's birth family or other persons with whom the child has an established relationship. Topics covered include States that do and do not have enforceable contract agreements, parties to agreements, the court?s role, and mediation. The laws presented are current through May 2011. |
American Adoption Congress (2007)
Explores the principles guiding open adoption practice and policy.
What Is Open Adoption?
Insight - Open Adoption Resources and Support
Offers relevant information for birth parents and prospective adoptive parents on a website created by birth parents.
State and local examples
The Dumisha Jamaa Project: Permanent Families and Open Adoption for Older Youth: Final Report
Rosenthal & Collier (2010)
View Abstract and Document
Describes the outcomes and activities of a federally funded project that demonstrated that it is possible for youth in Alameda County, CA, foster care to find permanent families before they age out of the system.
Opening a Closed Adoption (PDF - 1,486 KB)
Ohio Child Welfare Training Program, Institute for Human Services (2009)
Explores key issues to consider when opening a previously closed adoption. The first section focuses on preparing to open a young (age 0-5 years) child's adoption, the second section focuses on issues related to children ages 6-12, and the final section describes issues surrounding adolescents.
Preserving Connections: Helping Children and Youth Develop and Maintain Connections (PDF - 174 KB)
New Mexico Court Improvement Project Task Force (2007)
Addresses ways to preserve and build connections for children and youth in foster care in New Mexico, including open adoptions.
Realizing Open Adoption Dreams (The ROAD)
New York Council on Adoptable Children (2005)
Promotes permanence through adoption for older youth in foster care in New York City while maintaining their existing relationships with birth family members and others who have significant meaning in their lives.
Sustaining Birth Family Connections Post Adoption
Casey Family Services
Describes programs in Oregon, Michigan, and New York that support greater involvement of birth families in the lives of children and youth adopted from foster care.