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Learn how to empower the women you serve to make fully-informed decisions with accurate information about modern day adoption.

Adoption has changed, a lot.
The way we talk about it needs to change too.

Created by birth parents and experienced professionals, Exploring Adoption combines recent research, best practices, and personal stories to educate and equip those serving today's expectant and birth parent population.

The Course is free, available on-demand, and offers 3 social work CEs.

Get Started with Level 101

Did You Know?

According to our 2022 nationwide survey of birth parents, there are two things that make the biggest difference in overall satisfaction about choosing to place for adoption:

Non-coercive, non-directive pregnancy counseling
Accurate, comprehensive information about adoption

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The average woman facing an unexpected pregnancy today is in her mid-twenties.

It's also more common today that she is already parenting other children, and that she may have previously placed another child for adoption.

Birth parents are diverse in nearly every demographic category: age, race, previous parenting experience, education level, marital status, and religion.

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Over 90% of women who have placed a child for adoption since 2010, have experienced stigma about their status as a birth mother.

"We did not place our children for any neglectful reason. We're not neglecting duties or our child or our culture. We love our children and we did what we know is best for our child. And it was not done out of neglect. I always fear when I share my story, someone's going to think that I placed my child because I was like using drugs or drinking, and it's like, this was a choice. … There's a stigma with it [adoption]. And I think ultimately, it's always an act of love. Not neglect." - focus group participant

About the Course

Exploring Adoption 101

Module One: History of Domestic Infant Adoption

Module Two: Stigmas and Bias Surrounding Adoption

Module Three: Understanding the Adoption Process

Module Four: Changes and Modern Practices in Domestic Infant Adoption

Adoption has changed dramatically, especially over the past two decades. This module gives you a better understanding of modern private domestic adoption practices and explores what led to some of the most significant changes. This module will cover topics such as choosing adoptive parents, varying levels of openness, issues of grief and loss, and the need for post-placement counseling.

Module Five: Adoption Information and Resources

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Exploring Adoption 201

Module One: Standards of Good Practice

This module focuses on the foundational principles and guidelines that guide social work practice, emphasizing ethical considerations and respecting clients' rights. This module underscores the importance of adhering to standards of good practice, upholding the Social Work Code of Ethics, respecting client self-determination, and obtaining informed consent in social work practice. These principles are integral to maintaining ethical integrity, promoting client well-being, and delivering effective, client-centered services.

Module Two: Birth Options Counseling: The Process

This module delves into the essential process of birth options counseling, focusing on empowering expectant parents with the knowledge and support they need to make informed decisions while exploring the adoption option. Birth options counseling with expectant parents is a collaborative and empowering process that focuses on providing comprehensive information, addressing concerns, and supporting informed decision-making. By tailoring counseling approaches to meet the unique needs of expectant parents and fostering open communication and collaboration, adoption professionals can empower parents.

Module Three: Adoption-Specific Considerations

Module Four: Delivery and Relinquishment Period

Module Five: Post-Adoption/Post-Placement Support

This module focuses on the critical importance of post-adoption support for birth parents, emphasizing the ongoing emotional, psychological, and practical needs that arise after the adoption process is completed. By offering personalized counseling, facilitating connections, and providing access to valuable resources and community support, adoption professionals can empower birth parents to heal, grow, and thrive in their post-adoption journey while honoring their unique experiences and needs.

* PREREQUISITE: You must complete the free Level 101 course before starting Level 201.

Testimonials

"I am a supervisor and will be requiring my new staff to take this training. It is very useful for those just entering the field."

"Gives me more perspective than I had before on emotional affects on birth parents."

"Great training! This will help me personally and professionally."

Social Work CE

Our library of on-demand webinars were designed to meet the needs of today's adoption professionals, offering:

Experts with specialized areas of experience in adoption

Relevancy for a broad range of professional skill levels

Professional development and continuing education for professionals

An affordable option that's easy to access

Find adoption answers, support, training, or professional resources