About Our Open Adoption Program
At Open Adoption & Family Services (OA&FS), you select the adoptive family. You and the adoptive parents choose the level of openness you both want in your open adoption. Most OA&FS families agree upon a minimum of three visits per year.
We provide lifelong counseling services to our clients to support them as they and their open adoption family relationship grow and change over time. Planning an open adoption through our agency means you’ll have a lifelong relationship with your child and the adoptive family.
Women and couples who plan their adoptions through OA&FS receive the following services at no cost to birthparents:
Choosing a Family
You are the most qualified person to choose adoptive parents for your child.
- You can choose from our pool of 45 to 75 carefully screened waiting families.
- Or, you can come to us with an adoptive family you’ve already chosen.
- Visit our Choosing an Adoptive Family page to get started thinking about what characteristics you’re looking for in an adoptive family
- Review our OA&FS Adoptive Parent Profiles to learn more about our waiting families.
Financial Assistance
Birthparents receive financial assistance for medical, living and pregnancy-related expenses.
The Open Adoption Relationship
Our adoptive parents have chosen to work with OA&FS because they genuinely value openness in adoption and want a lifelong relationship with you. We will give you and the family you’ve chosen the tools and support to create a comfortable and relaxed relationship in which your unique role in the child’s life is honored.
You and the adoptive parents determine what degree of openness, what type of contact and how many visits per year you mutually desire. Together, you and the adoptive parents create a legally enforceable Open Adoption Agreement that outlines the level of contact you will share, including visits and exchange of letters and photos. The degree of openness is individualized, ranging from two to several visits per year.
Counseling and Ongoing Support
Your ongoing needs are important to us. We offer you open adoption counseling, guidance and support free of charge throughout the life of your adoption.
Our Open Adoption Community
Birthparents are an integral part of our thriving open adoption community. Our open adoption community includes families who have placed this month and a generation ago.
- Events: From our summer picnics to our holiday parties, OA&FS hosts a variety of events where you can connect with other birthparents and adoptive families.
- Birthmothers’ Retreat: This annual retreat offers a unique opportunity for birthmothers to feel pampered, supported and to make lasting friendships with other birthmothers.
- Birthparent Group: This private email group provides a place for OA&FS clients that have placed or are considering placing their child, to connect with each other.
- Public Speaking: Birthparents are invited to help educate others about open adoption by sharing their stories at a variety of venues.
- Mentor Program: Birthparents may connect with other OA&FS birthparents who have volunteered to serve as mentors.
Experience
We were the first open adoption agency in the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1985, we’ve completed over 1,200 successful open adoptions. We have over 25 years of experience providing our clients the support and tools necessary to create healthy extended family relationships.
When you’re comparing agencies or adoption attorneys, be sure to find answers to the important questions listed here: Comparing Services: What You Need to Know.