Groundbreaking study analyzes

On our new year's resolution list -- continue to assess how the detailed findings in the new Donaldson Adoption Institute report  "Untangling the Web: The Internet's Transformative Impact on Adoption" affect OA&FS.

In this first of its kind study, all aspects of online communication are parsed for their effect on the processes and results of adoption and adoptive relationships.

Key findings of the report include:

• There is a growing "commodification" of adoption on the web, replete with dubious practices, and a shift away from the perspective that its primary purpose is to find families for children
• Finding birth relatives is becoming increasingly easy and commonplace, with significant institutional and personal implications, including the likely end of the era of "closed" adoption.
• A growing number of young adoptees are forming relationships with birth relatives, sometimes without their adoptive parents' knowledge and usually without guidance or preparation.
• A rising number of websites offer useful, positive resources and expedite the adoption of children and youth who need families, notably including those with special needs.

We've observed the effects of the internet for years, and have managed our organization to stay in step with new technologies as they emerge. Because of our expertise in the area of open adoption and adoption reform, I'll be participating on a national committee to be convened by the Donaldson Institute in which key organizations and experts in the fields of child welfare, foster care and adoption gather for the purpose of devising best-practice standards and identifying other guidance/materials. This will be held in mid-2013.

We're also proud to have contributed to this report. When Donaldson asked agencies for their experiences and input, we provided them with a video produced by our Marketing Director Sally Shuey for our staff retreat. This video takes the viewer on a journey through the barrage of information and resources offered online from conception to post-adoption. It's an eye-opening collage of the good, the bad, the misinformed and more ... all just a mouse click away. See for yourself.

As this new year launches, we look forward to continuing to serve our community with passion, dedication and professionalism. Happy 2013 everyone!

Warm regards,

Marketing Update      

How do expectant
parents find OA&FS?

For each referral source, we also track subcategories by type.  For example, within the largely dominant "Found OA&FS Website", the lion's share of clients are connecting via search engine. To capitalize on this, we pay careful attention to keywords used within our website to ensure we have excellent search engine optimization, (meaning Google "serves up" our site in search results for those keywords because it can see the relevancy). It's expected that people may not know exactly how they got to our site - they may have clicked on an ad within Google or saw an ad on Facebook which later prompted them to search for OA&FS. We plan our marketing to have a presence in all these channels knowing that they reinforce each other.

In the second highest source - outreach - Planned Parenthood provides the majority of referrals. We value our relationship with this important and influential organization, and are honored to offer our services to their clients wanting comprehensive pregnancy counseling.

We're in the process of retooling our website to be even more accessible to expectant parents and provide all our clients with a high level of easy-to-navigate online information. Stay tuned to see the results of this upgrade -- coming soon in the new year!

 Outreach News

To educate others about open adoption and services available at our agency, OA&FS staff conduct outreach presentations and free trainings throughout the region year-round. In doing this, they form important relationships that benefit all who receive services from OA&FS. 

• On December 3 , Executive Director Shari Levine presented to five nursing students at Linfield College in Portland. They were an exceptionally bright group of students who asked excellent questions. Here's a note from their instructor afterwards: "Thank you so much for coming. I am going to recommend that your presentation be part of the course on childbearing. So many students need to be aware of adoption options and how families are born in a variety of ways. The students learned much in the hour, which is because you are skilled at presenting and are an expert on your topic." 

  Joanna M Rowe, PhD, RN, Professor, School of Nursing, Linfield College 

• On December 6, Eastern Oregon Counselor Angie Lunde met with ten employees of the Department of Human Services Child Welfare office in Baker City, OR. This was a refresher presentation for some and new information for several recently hired employees and everyone was eager to continue working together with OA&FS. Angie shared stories of previous cooperation between the agencies and the successful outcomes of those situations. 
• On December 6, Eastern Oregon Counselor Angie Lunde presented information to eight people in Ontario, OR.  Five were employees of St. Alphonsus Medical Center, which is the only hospital in the region, one home visitor from Healthy Start and two home visiting nurses for the health department. They were pleased to know about the agency's services available to families in eastern Oregon.  Besides an overview of our agency and services, Angie discussed ways to talk to their clients about considering adoption as an option when faced with an unplanned pregnancy. She received comments on how much the attendees appreciated our philosophy of openness and respect for all parties and the integrity and professionalism important to the agency.  The relationship building that the agency prioritizes was also important to them.  While at the hospital, Angie also  met with the OB Manager, gave her our materials, answered her questions and learned about their discharge policy.  
• On December 7,  Eugene Counselor Jan Jamieson presented information to two Health classes, of 25 students each, at South Albany High School.  Students were very engaged and contributed thoughtful questions and feedback and OA&FS looks forward to the next opportunity to present there. 
• On December 13, Eugene Counselor Jan Jamieson presented information about adoption and OA&FS to a class of 25 high school students in a Human Sexuality class at North Eugene High School.  Thank you to volunteer Liz Morelli for sharing her adoption story and her experiences as a birthmother.  

Gatherings 

Attending gatherings is an important way to be better equipped and prepared for adoption.  Plus you get the benefits of developing friendships within the OA&FS community!  We look forward to seeing you.

The Seattle office is having their holiday party this month, so no Gathering meeting will be held.

Portland

Date: Thursday, January 10, 2013 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Topic: Hospitious Adoption

Please RSVP  to lori@openadopt.org by Wednesday, 1/9

It will be a snack and drink potluck - so if you'd like, bring something to share!

Eugene

Topic: Screening Emails/Calls

Date: January 18, 2013 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. 

Where: 896 Osprey Loop, Creswell, OR 97426

Please RSVP to jan@openadopt.org

Community Gatherings

Check out the following community events and resources organized by other OA&FS adoptive parents in your area:

Portland

Community Gathering for Portland OA&FS Waiting Families

OA&FS prospective adoptive parents Deb & Corey Omey have started a potluck dinner group! The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month and is for prospective adoptive parents in Portland area to meet and socialize.

When:  Tuesday January 22, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
Where:  2105 N. Webster St., Portland, 97217

Announcements

Welcome to the Pool: 

Congratulations:  

• On December 14th, after supporting their son's birthmother through labor, Jamie Wilson and John LaMont joyfully welcomed Samuel into the world. His full head of hair, delightful dimples, and calm nature melted everyone's hearts as they spent time together in the hospital. Samuel's birthmom was a great resource as Jamie and John learned to swaddle, soothe and fee him like pros. Samuel's birth siblings and birth aunt added to the joy as they piled into the room to welcome their newest family member. Together, everyone has built a beautiful, celebratory foundation for Samuel to have a life filled with love and connection.   

• After months of getting to know each other, and spending treasured moments beating each other at board games, birthmother Rachel, her family, and the adoptive parents Matt Baxter and Tricia Rosenkranz all welcomed Olive Lily Baxter into the world. Olive made her debut early in the morning on Christmas Eve. Tricia and Matt were there to hear Olive's first cry, and spent the next few hours with her and Rachel. The placement happened on Christmas Day with an informal entrustment ceremony at the hospital. Everyone took the time to reflect on their admiration for each other and their excitement to continue forward in each other's lives. During the ceremony Rachel said she looks forward to being a part of Olive's life and teaching her how to beat Matt at the game "Apples to Apples".