Working With an Open Adoption Agency

Facing an unplanned pregnancy is one of the most overwhelming experiences you can go through. You are dealing with many emotions, practical concerns, and questions about your future. If you are considering adoption, you likely want to ensure that your child is loved, safe, and happy. But you might also be afraid of losing them completely.

For a long time, adoption meant "goodbye." It meant closed records and unanswered questions. But today, adoption has changed. You no longer have to choose between doing what is best for your baby and staying connected to them. Through open adoption agencies, you can create a plan that honors your role as a birth mother and keeps you involved in your child's life.

Working with the right professional helps you build this kind of future. You deserve a partner who handles the legal paperwork and advocates for your emotional needs and your desire for ongoing contact.

You can get free information and support from a dedicated adoption specialist today to learn more about how we can help you build the future you envision.

What Is an Open Adoption Agency?

An open adoption agency is a licensed organization that specializes in adoptions where ongoing contact between the birth parents and the adoptive family is the standard.

While many professionals can handle the legal transfer of parental rights, open adoption agencies view adoption as a lifelong relationship rather than a one-time transaction. Their goal is to empower you to create a plan that fits your life.

In the past, agencies often made decisions for the birth parents. Today, the philosophy is different. We believe that you are the best person to decide what is right for your baby. An open adoption agency provides the infrastructure—screening families, providing counseling, and managing legal requirements—so that you can focus on choosing the right family and building a relationship with them.

Openness is a choice you make, not a rule forced upon you. Working with an agency that prioritizes openness means you will have access to families who are prepared and excited to know you. It means you won't have to fight to have your voice heard or your requests for updates respected.

Why Expectant Parents Choose Open Adoption Agencies

Choosing to place a child for adoption is an act of profound love. But it is also accompanied by grief and uncertainty. Expectant parents choose open adoption agencies because they provide a path through that uncertainty that leads to peace of mind.

Transparency and Control When you work with an agency that values openness, you are in control. You get to look at profiles, watch videos, and speak to families before you make a decision. You are not handing your baby over to a stranger; you are placing them with a family you know and trust.

The Spectrum of Connection Not everyone wants the same level of contact, and that is okay. Open adoption agencies understand that relationships exist on a spectrum. You might want monthly visits, or you might prefer letters and photos once a year. Understanding the differences between open, closed, and semi-adoption helps you define the boundaries that make you feel safe. Agencies help you navigate these nuances so that you and the adoptive family are always on the same page.

Access to Prepared Families One of the biggest benefits is the quality of the adoptive families. Families who sign up with open adoption agencies have been educated on the importance of birth parents. They understand that you are not "giving up" your baby; you are making a parenting plan. They are ready to honor you in their home.

Emotional Safety Knowing that you will see your child grow up changes the emotional experience of adoption. It changes "goodbye" into "see you later." This ongoing connection is essential for healing, and agencies are there to facilitate it so you never have to worry about losing touch.

How to Choose the Right Open Adoption Agency in Arkansas

Not all agencies are created equal. When you are looking for open adoption agencies in Arkansas, look for a licensed professional that puts your needs first.

• Check for Licensing: Ensure the agency is fully licensed in Arkansas. This ensures they are held to state standards regarding ethics, legal procedures, and the care they provide to you.
• Look for National Reach with Local Support: A national agency that is licensed in Arkansas offers the benefits of both. You get the local support of a specialist who understands Arkansas law and can meet you in person, combined with the reach of a national organization. This means you will have access to hundreds of adoptive family profiles from across the country, giving you a much higher chance of finding the perfect match.
• Evaluate Their "Openness" Requirements: Some agencies say they do open adoption, but they still work with families who prefer closed arrangements. Look for an agency that requires their families to be open. At American Adoptions, for example, we require 100% of our waiting families to agree to a minimum standard of contact (letters, photos, visits). This saves you the heartache of falling in love with a family profile only to find out they don't want the same relationship you do.
• 24/7 Availability: Pregnancy doesn't keep "business hours." You need an agency that is available to you whenever you need them—whether it is a medical emergency or a 2:00 AM emotional crisis.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Open Adoption Agency

When you are interviewing potential agencies, do not be afraid to ask hard questions. This is your life and your baby's future. You have the right to demand transparency.

Here is a list of questions to help you evaluate if an agency is right for you:

• Can I choose the adoptive family? (Ask to see how their profiles are presented. Are they just photos, or do they have videos?)
• What are your requirements for adoptive families? (Ask if the agency requires families to be open to visits and direct contact.)
• What kind of financial assistance is available? (Arkansas law allows for certain birth parent expenses to be covered. Ask the agency how they handle this.)
• Do you offer counseling? (Ask if counseling is free, if it is available before and after placement, and if it is with a licensed professional.)
• What happens if the father is unsupportive? (Ask how they handle birth father rights in Arkansas.)
• Will I receive updates after the adoption? (Ask how the agency ensures the family keeps their promises.)
• What happens if I change my mind? (A reputable agency will never pressure you. They should explain your rights to discontinue the adoption plan at any time before the final consent is signed.)

What Kind of Support Do Open Adoption Agencies Offer in Arkansas?

The role of open adoption agencies goes beyond matching you with a family. We provide services designed to support you through your pregnancy and beyond. In Arkansas, these services are provided at no cost to you.

• Counseling and Emotional Support: You will have your own adoption specialist who is there to listen, not to judge. They will help you process your grief, anxiety, and hopes.
• Medical Care Coordination: If you do not have a doctor or insurance, your agency will help you find prenatal care. We can help you apply for Medicaid or insurance, and we ensure that your medical bills related to the pregnancy are covered.
• Financial Assistance: In Arkansas, adoption laws allow the adoptive family to cover reasonable living expenses for the birth mother during the pregnancy and for a period after the birth. This can include rent, utilities, food, and maternity clothing. Your specialist will help assess your needs and ensure you are financially stable.
• Legal Representation: You will have your own attorney, paid for by the agency/adoptive family, to ensure your rights are protected.
• Family Selection Support: Your specialist will help you sort through open adoption families to find the ones that match your values. They will facilitate the first calls and meetings to help break the ice.

What Happens After the Open Adoption?

One common worry is that the agency disappears once the baby is placed. With the best open adoption agencies, that is simply not true. We are focused on your long-term healing and the success of the adoption relationship.

• Post-Placement Communication: After the placement, your relationship with the adoptive family will begin to evolve. If you have chosen a semi-open adoption, the agency will continue to facilitate the connection. We receive the photos and letters from the adoptive family and forward them to you. We can do this for up to 18 years, ensuring that even if you move or change your phone number, you never lose that connection.
• Mediation: Relationships can be tricky. If there is ever a misunderstanding about a visit or a missed letter, your agency is there to mediate. We advocate for you to ensure the adoptive family honors the contact agreement.
• Lifelong Support: The grief of adoption comes in waves. It might hit you on the child's birthday or on Mother's Day. We offer post-placement counseling to help you navigate these moments.

Choosing to work with an agency means you are never alone. You have a team of professionals who are dedicated to helping you build a life you are proud of, while ensuring your child has the life you dreamed for them.

If you are ready to learn more about how an agency can support your specific needs, or if you just want to talk to someone who understands, we are here. You can contact an adoption specialist today to start the conversation.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.