Ongoing contact between birth parents, adoptive parents, and the adoptee (also referred to as openness in adoption) allows family members to communicate and stay connected. Supporting these relationships is in the best interests of the child, as ongoing communication with birth family members may minimize feelings of grief and loss, reduce the trauma of separation, and help children and youth develop a stronger sense of identity. Agencies should emphasize the importance and value of maintaining these connections despite possible resistance from families. Contact may include infrequent communication; mediated contact through a third party, email, or letters; or ongoing, in-person interaction. This section includes resources and information on maintaining connections in adoption.

Helping Children and Youth Maintain Relationships With Birth Families

Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
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Year Published
2019
Provides professionals with information to help children, youth, and adoptive families develop and maintain appropriate and evolving connections with their birth families. Children and youth who are adopted need to maintain relationships with their birth families, previous caregivers, or other important connections, and it is vital that their parents support them in doing so. Nurturing these relationships is in the best interests of the child, as ongoing contact with birth family members may minimize or resolve his or her feelings of grief and loss due to separation.

Helping Your Adopted Children Maintain Important Relationships With Family

Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
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Download (PDF - 337KB)
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Year Published
2019
Helps adoptive parents support children, youth, and birth families in strengthening their relationships. Children and youth who have been adopted and maintain relationships with their birth families, caregivers, and other important people in their lives benefit in significant ways. Adoptive parents can play an instrumental role in helping their children maintain contact with their birth families or other important caregivers.

Open Adoption
Creating a Family
Offers information about openness in adoption, including interviews with adoption professionals, blogs, and suggested books.

Open Adoption: Rethinking Family (PDF - 654 KB)
Grotevant (2019)
The Future of Adoption
Rudd Adoption Research Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Addresses the increase in open adoptions and how closed adoptions are increasingly difficult to maintain given the use of the Internet and the availability of genetic testing services.

Openness in Adoption: From Secrecy and Stigma to Knowledge and Connections
Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute (2012)
View Abstract and Document
Presents a report depicting how extensively adoption in the U.S. has changed over the last several decades - from a time when it was shrouded in so much secrecy that birth and adoptive families knew nothing about each other, to a new reality today in which the vast majority of infant adoptions are "open," meaning the two families have some level of ongoing relationship.

Planning and Supporting Birth Family Contact When Children Are Adopted From Care (PDF - 456 KB)
Neil (2019)
The Future of Adoption
Rudd Adoption Research Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Discusses how keeping in touch with birth relatives can have a positive impact on an adopted child’s identity. Although it is imperative to not allow blanket policies, it is important to ensure the quality of family contact and offer support when needed.

Postadoption Contact Agreements Between Birth and Adoptive Families

Series Title
State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
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Download (PDF - 551KB)
Year Published
2019
Presents State statutes on postadoption contact agreements, which are arrangements that allow contact between a child's adoptive family and members of the child's birth family. Topics covered include the contents of agreements; parties to agreements; the court's role; and enforcing, modifying, and terminating agreements.

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