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.
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
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.
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
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.
Openness in Adoption: From Secrecy and Stigma to Knowledge and Connections
Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute (2012)
Presents a report depicting how extensively adoption in the U.S. has changed over the last several decades - from a time when it was shrouded in so much secrecy that birth and adoptive families knew nothing about each other, to a new reality today in which the vast majority of infant adoptions are "open," meaning the two families have some level of ongoing relationship.
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Child Welfare Information Gateway
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Top Ten Ethical Considerations in Open Adoption Practice
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.
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.