Community Partner Endorsements

Here’s what a few professionals said about Open Adoption & Family Services (OA&FS) and our services:

"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.”
-- Medical Social Worker, Sacred Heart Medical Center, Eugene, OR

“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.”
-- 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.”
-- Teacher, Grant High School, Portland, 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.”
-- Education Program Coordinator, formerly with Planned Parenthood in Portland, OR

“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.”
-- Lead Social Worker, SW Washington Medical Center, Vancouver, WA

“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.”
-- Clinical Director, White Shield in Portland, OR

“Even as a labor & delivery nurse and educator, I quickly realized that I had many incorrect perceptions about open adoption. In the nine 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.”
-- RNC at Providence St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, OR