An exciting change ahead!

Waiting in the pool can be challenging. You may feel that you have no control, and no way to impact your adoption journey. We are pleased to bring you the opportunity to have a direct effect on how your profile is viewed by expectant parents considering adoption. 

The internet is abundant with sites promoting prospective adoptive parents. Now we have an avenue for you to bring your unique flair and heartfelt commitment to open adoption to the forefront.  Our research has revealed that many expectant parents prefer to view information about waiting families through a colorful and engaging book that can be viewed online or in print. You will be receiving an email shortly that will outline how to create a book that will capture your unique qualities. As a sneak preview, here are sample books from Susan and Jeremy and Michael. Special thanks to the families that have been helping us test this new process. We appreciate your contributions!

Warm regards,

Marketing Update      

Stories that spring up on Facebook.

Every week we post information to Facebook that we believe our community will find relevant, useful and engaging ... we hope.  A key way to determine if we hit this mark is Facebook's "virality" score. Technically, this is the percentage of people who have created a story from our page post out of the total number of unique people who have seen it.  Here's what your actions are telling us are the most popular posts of the year so far:

Runner up ...

Second place ...

And the first place, most viral, hottest post is (drum roll please ...)  

What does this tell us?  That our community resonates with stories on parenting the adoptive child, marriage equality and hospitiousness wrapped in sheer cuteness! We'll look for more like these to post for you in the future. Thanks to everyone who interacts with our Facebook page to read, like comment and share. It's fun to see you in cyberspace. Keep it coming and let us know how we're doing.

 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 March 14, Portland Counselor Lindsey Martin presented information about OA&FS to the Tigard-Tualatin Service Providers Networking Meeting at Tigard High School. Attendees represented a wide variety of service providers in Washington County and beyond, such as the Tigard-Tualatin Family Resource Center, DePaul Treatment Centers and Saint Child Maternity Home. Information presented was focused on helping expectant parents access our options counseling services, and attendees asked thoughtful questions about how OA&FS supports open adoption relationships and the ongoing counseling services provided to all members of the adoption constellation. Each participant received a packet of information to share with staff/clients at their agency, and our availability to facilitate a presentation at their agency was discussed.
• With 175-200 nurses expected to attend the School Nurse Organization of Washington Spring conference in Seattle, WA, Seattle Counselor, Heather Goldy, headed out to spread the word about OA&FS.  On March 15, Heather managed the OA&FS exhibit while sharing and dispersing information to nurses from around the state.  Heather had the opportunity to discuss options counseling and open adoption, as well as adoption as an alternative to state involvement.  Middle school and high school nurses were especially drawn to the OA&FS exhibit to share stories of pregnant teens they are working with, ask questions and gather information. 
• On March 20, Seattle Counselor Courtney Gray presented to 11 clinic staff at the Fleet & Family Support Center in Marysville, WA. They provide a myriad of services to members of the Navy and their families. The staff was happy to learn about OA&FS services for options counseling and adoption planning and asked great questions throughout the presentation.
• On March 20, Eastern Oregon/Eastern Washington Counselor, Angie Lunde, met with eight DSHS workers and two CASA volunteers in Colfax Washington.  They were intrigued with the new idea of giving families faced with involuntary termination of their parenting rights the option of working with Open Adoption &Family Services for placement of their child.  Angie described how well this has worked for placements in Oregon and how closely OA&FS would work with DSHS when they make a referral to the agency.   She also explained how last minute placements, (calls received from the hospital after the birth of a child), are common with our agency and that our adoptive families are prepared for that possibility.   By the end of the presentation, the workers were already thinking of families they could give this option to. 
• On March 20, Executive Director Shari Levine presented to 40 DHS workers in Hillsboro. This is part of our project to train DHS and CPS workers throughout OR on the benefits of giving high risk moms the option of pro-actively planning an open adoption before their parental rights are terminated. This information has been well-received by state workers. It provides children with a viable alternative to foster care. This was a highly engaged group who asked great questions.
• On March 21, Shari Levine brought this training to 50 DHS and CPS workers in Salem. They were also highly intrigued by this alternative open adoption track for their clients. 
• On March 21, Eastern Oregon/Eastern Washington Counselor, Angie Lunde made presentations to three offices of Planned Parenthood in Spokane and Pullman Washington. In the morning, 27 staff members from the two Spokane clinics combined for this training. They were very pleased to hear how closely our values align and what "open adoption" means to our agency. They listened attentively and asked good questions. One staff member shared the experience of her friend who chose adoption 16 years ago through another agency; she was later denied contact with her child by the adoptive parents and prior to that had only received pictures in this "open adoption".  This gave Angie the opportunity to explain the commitment and philosophy of our adoptive families to have a relationship with the birth family and she further described the adoption agreement that ensures birth families continued contact. In the afternoon, Angie was very pleased to bring a birthparent to the Pullman Planned Parenthood office. Their staff of seven listened to her story with admiration and respect.  She told them this was the easiest and hardest decision she ever made.  Despite the circumstances that got her pregnant, she is grateful that her son brought the adoptive parents into her life -- the placement was 16 months ago. This birthparent was proud of being able to help with this outreach presentation. 

• On March 28, Seattle Counselor Courtney Gray spoke with 28 students in a Child Development Class at Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington. The students were engaged throughout and asked great questions about pregnancy choices, adoption laws and processes, and openness in adoption.

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.

Portland

Date: Thursday, April 11, 6:30-8:00 pm

Topic: Family Book/Your Book! We're here to help you navigate the online publishing world so you can make your book with confidence and ease.

Where: Portland OA&FS office, 5200 SW Macadam Ave., #250

Please RSVP to lori@openadopt.org by Wednesday, April 10.

As always, snack and drink potluck so bring something to share if you'd like.

Eugene

Date: Tuesday, April 16, 7:00 pm

Topic: AP1 and 2 Process

Where: The home of Chris and Hilary, 1010 Polk Street, Eugene. 

Please RSVP to  lori@openadopt.org

Date: Save the date for May 7, 7-9:00 pm.  

Topic: Creating Your Family Book

Where:  2100 Building, 2100 24th Ave S.  

Please RSVP to kstallman@openadopt.org

Attention Puget Sound families, do NOT miss this opportunity to get more details about this new creative way we will be asking families to present themselves. Watch your inbox for a more thorough description of what we will be covering. Also, a reminder that we have no gatherings during the summer months and will resume our monthly meeting in October and hope to see everybody August 17 at Magnuson Park from 11:00 am-2:00 pm with the Reptile Man! 

Out of State/Area Waiting Families Group 

Topic: Making your Family Book!

Teleconference Instructions: The OA&FS conference call-in room number is 530-881-1000, use participant code 252531#.

Community Gatherings

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

Portland

Prospective adoptive parents Deb & Corey Omey have started a group for OA&FS waiting families in the Portland area to meet and socialize.

When: Wednesday, April 24, 7:30 pm 

Where: AMF 300 Lanes for bowling!  3031 SE Powell Blvd., Portland. (Outside food and drink are not allowed in the bowling alley. Food and/or drinks can be purchased at their restaurant or bar.)

RSVP:  Todd Jollo at  tjollo2006@yahoo.com.

Announcements

Welcome to the Pool: 

Congratulations:   

• Melanie and Ethan Doak of Beaverton, Oregon were surprised and thrilled to receive a late night call on Monday, March 11 letting them know that a birthmother gave birth early that morning and chose them as the adoptive parents for her son. She was a huge fan of their video on the OA&FS website! Melanie and Ethan named their son Joshua, and chose to keep the middle name chosen by his birthmother, as it is the same as her middle name and has a special history for her family. In a short time the two families got to know one another and discussed their hopes for the future. Ethan and Melanie even laughingly submitted to requests by the birth family to sing a song about their pugs, Barney and Montana. All parties look forward to developing the relationship more through texts, emails, and visits in the future.
• Cheryl, Michael and Siena Wiznerowicz  were elated to receive a call that a birthmother who was due that week wanted to meet them. Two days later they received the call that labor was starting and they rushed down to Eugene as quickly as possible. A few hours later, Aiden John made his entrance into the world at his home, (delivered by his birth grandmother), on March 21. Birthmother and Aiden were taken to the hospital by ambulance, and everyone was perfectly healthy. Cheryl, Michael and Siena fell in love with Aiden instantly when they met him at the hospital! They were able to spend some time with Aiden's birthmother and birth grandmothers and felt a real connection to them. They all look forward to deepening their relationships with one another which center around beloved Aiden.   

• Chris and Alex Tysowsky's daughter Isabella

  Grace was born on Friday, March 29th. Chris and Alex have spent the last month getting to know Isabella's birthmother Jennifer. They have also enjoyed being able to meet Isabella's birthfather, and hope to build a deeper relationship with him in the future.  Chris, Alex, and Jennifer have loved learning about each other's interests and hobbies, as well as their collective hopes and dreams for their child.  Chris felt honored to be able to support Jennifer in her birthing room and be present for Isabella's arrival.  Of course their relationship strengthened over their days at the hospital, watching movies while they "waited" for Isabella, and all three of them helping care for Isabella together during her first couple of days. Chris and Alex already feel so much joy and love towards Jennifer and are excited to build an even more meaningful relationship in the years to come.   

Adoption Related Events                      

Adolescent Sexuality Conference

April 22-23

Seaside Convention Center, Seaside, OR.

Register online or by mail

Contact: Lila Duncan, 971-673-0163, lila.m.duncan@state.or.us

Bottle-Feeding Support Group 

Second Tuesday of the month, 10 am.

Milagros, 543 NE 30th, Portland

Contact: Keely C. Helmick, k.carissa33@gmail.com

Be Mine

Group for post-adoption and post-partum adjustment.

First and third Wednesdays of the month, 6:30-8:30pm

Alma Movement Center 1233 SE Stark Street

Pre-registration required.

Contact: Tina Lilly, tinalillycounseling@gmail.com 

Free Fertility & Adoption Support Group 

First Tuesday of the month, 7- 9:00pm

Portland Peace House 2116 NE 18th Ave

Contact:  Tina Lilly, tinalillycounseling@gmail.com

NAFA Splash! Pool Party 

Sat. April 13, 6 -9:00 p.m.

Mt. Scott Community Center Pool, Portland

Contact: Yvette Burling, ibid@hevanet.com

Adoption Mosaic Adult Adoptee Discussion Group http://www.adoptionmosaic.org/adult-adoptee-discussion-group/

First Tuesday of the month, 6:00 pm

SE Uplift, #%#$ SE Main Street, Portland

Contact: info@adoptionmosaic.org

LBGTQ Adoptive Parent Support Group

Thursday, April 18, 6-8:00 pm

Q Center, 4115 N Mississippi Ave., Portland

Contact: info@adoptionmosaic.org  

What and When: Talking About Adoption with Your Child

April 6, 9:00 am-4:00 pm

SE UpLift Building, 3534 SE Main Street, Portland

Contact: info@adoptionmosaic.org