OA&FS Philosophy:

A Unique and Progressive Approach to Adoption

Our Mission:

Open Adoption & Family Services supports birthparents in making decisions about parenthood in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. When the choice is adoption, we facilitate child-centered open adoptions. We assist birthparents and adoptive parents as they create healthy, long-term relationships addressing the ongoing needs of children.

  • Birthparents choose and meet the adoptive parents.With the support and guidance of an agency counselor, birthparents and adoptive parents build a foundation for a healthy lifelong relationship.Birthparents and adoptive parents create a legally enforceable open adoption agreement outlining ongoing visits and the exchange of letters and pictures.
  • Birthparents choose the level of openness they prefer.

What are the benefits of open adoption?
Ongoing contact enables birthparents to see for themselves that the child is thriving in the adoptive home. This helps them feel at peace with the open adoption. Secure in the knowledge that the birthparents fully support the adoption, adoptive parents are free to welcome birthparents into their lives. And, most importantly, the open relationship gives the child direct access to information about and support from birthparents, which contributes to the development of identity and self-esteem.

What is unique about OA&FS? * With the assistance of a counselor, birthparents facing an unplanned pregnancy are encouraged to explore all of their options.Individual adoption counseling and birthparent support groups are available before, during and after placement (free of charge).Adoption counseling is available not only to birthparents but also to their family members.If adoption is chosen, birthparents are empowered to create their own vision of the open adoption experience.All adoptive parents working with OA&FS share a strong commitment to openness in adoption and desire an ongoing relationship with birthparents.Birthparents choose from a large pool of carefully screened and well-prepared adoptive parents.The open adoption agreement for ongoing contact is enforceable until the child is an adult. * Financial assistance is available to birthparents for pregnancy-related expenses.