Professional Endorsements

Here’s what a few professionals said about OA&FS and its services:

I wanted thank you regarding the recent presentation by your counselor, Katie. She was AMAZING! Great information, very personable, clear and concise in answering questions, very competent and clearly able to articulate issues of social justice and sensitivity to client centered practice with the agency.

I also wanted to say how impressed I am with the OA&FS program in general and the values that are very clear in its processes. Please let me know when the Options Counseling pamphlets come out so we can get copies to each of our five clinic Social Workers.

-- Mr. B. Bartja Wachtel, LICSW, MHP, CMHS
PSNHC Social Worker
Rainier Beach Medical Clinic

"When working with OA&FS, it is a great relief to know our patients will receive consistent emotional support before and after the adoption. My experience has been that both birth and adoptive parents working with OA&FS feel better-prepared and well-supported when making an adoption plan.

-- Karen Ziros-Smith, Medical Social Worker, Sacred Heart Medical Center, Eugene, OR

You and your staff do such a unique and life-affirming job. You really are changing the face and feel of adoption in Oregon!

-- Elizabeth Carroll, Program Development Specialist, Healthy Start of Multnomah County, OR

Whether working with patients or healthcare professionals, I always recommend Open Adoption & Family Services. I am consistently impressed by their commitment to the families they work with and to the community at large. They provide a wealth of information, nonjudgmental counseling, and emotional and logistical support -- and are always happy to refer clients who may need outside services. Most importantly, Open Adoption & Family Services truly provides women with CHOICES.

-- Grayson Crosby, Education Program Coordinator, formerly with Planned Parenthood in Portland

I feel very confident working with OA&FS, because I can depend on an immediate response. I know the OA&FS counselor will be an advocate for my patient and support her in any decision she makes. I am also confident that the counselor is very informed about the legal issues around adoption.

-- Kay Yanit, Maternity Care Coordinator, McKenzie-Willamette Hospital, Springfield, OR

Thank you so much for coming into my classroom and informing my students about open adoption. It resulted in a number of related discussions and several persuasive speeches on the topic. Your presentation obviously had an impact. Thanks again, and I hope to see you again next year.

-- Pam Joyner, Grant High School, Portland, Oregon

I have been impressed with the quality of service OA&FS provides to the birthmothers who deliver here. The adoption counselors are always respectful, well-informed and competent professionals. Their involvement helps us provide quality medical care, while insuring the ethical issues related to adoption are upheld.

-- Donna Hunter, Lead Social Worker, SW Washington Medical Center, Vancouver, WA

Even as a labor & delivery nurse and educator, I quickly realized that I had many incorrect perceptions about open adoption. In the 9 years that I have worked with primarily closed adoptions in the hospital, I had observed the situation to be stressful and sometimes negative for the persons involved.

Shari put myself and my students at ease about the common misnomers that often surround the subject. She was able to share some wonderful stories with the group. We were able to understand the beauty of open adoption and were amazed by the bond that is formed between the birthparents and the adoptive parents.

It was wonderful to see how so many children can live normal, healthy, happy lives in the care of all different types of families. I am thankful that I was educated about this caring option.

-- Erica Cornett, RNC at Providence St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, OR

Thank you for coming to White Shield last week to present information to our clients on open adoption. Your presentation was very informative and done in such a non-threatening and engaging manner. You clearly held the attention of the group and peaked their interest in the subject matter. I hope that we may continue to work together in the future. Again, thank you.

--Robin Triest Carlson, Clinical Director, White Shield in Portland, Oregon