Open Adoption

Programs that specialize in handling adoptions which allow for some form of association among birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptees. In open adoptions, information about the adoptive parents and the birth parents (e.g., last names, addresses, and telephone numbers) is exchanged providing an opportunity for the adopted child to develop a relationship with his or her birth family. Whether ongoing contact is monthly, annually or sporadic depends on the parties and is generally decided by them rather than an agency or lawyer.