Beyond Good Intentions: Reshaping Private Domestic Adoption Practices

As adoption professionals, we've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of ethical adoptions. We've also seen the shadows cast by unethical practices that can leave lasting scars on birth parents, adoptive families, and, most importantly, the children at the center of it all. For too long, many of us have hesitated to speak out, fearing that exposing these troubling and life-altering aspects might overshadow the solution adoption offers. But we can no longer afford this silence. The integrity of the adoption process - and the lives it touches - depends on our willingness to confront these challenges head-on.

This is why we created AdoptChange, an initiative born from the collective experiences and insights of adoptive parents, birth parents, adoptees, social workers, and attorneys. We're not just observers; we're active participants in the adoption community, driven by a shared vision of a more ethical, transparent, and compassionate adoption landscape.

Our mission? To reshape private domestic adoption practices, moving beyond good intentions to create real, lasting change. Through education, advocacy, and increased transparency, we're working to build a future where every adoption story is one of informed choices and unwavering respect for those impacted. 

The High Stakes of Unethical Adoption Practices

The consequences of unethical practices in adoption are far-reaching and profound. 

• A child's future is irrevocably altered by profit-driven decisions that disregard their best interests
• Vulnerable birth parents are potentially coerced or misled during a critical life-changing moment
• Well-intentioned adoptive parents unknowingly participate in a process that may cause long-term harm to all involved
• Exploitation of hopeful adoptive parents, often through excessive fees, misleading promises, or emotional manipulation
• A systemic erosion of public trust in the adoption process, undermining its potential to create positive outcomes
  

These unethical practices don't just affect individual families; they threaten the integrity of the entire adoption system. By prioritizing profit over people, they risk turning a process meant to serve the best interests of children into one that exploits vulnerability and perpetuates trauma. The ripple effects can last for generations, impacting not only those directly involved but also shaping societal perceptions of adoption as a whole.

Our Core Objectives

1. Combat Unethical Practices

• Target and eliminate unlicensed and unregulated adoption brokers in private domestic adoption.

2. Enhance Transparency

• Provide clear, reliable information about adoption providers.
• Facilitate easier access to trustworthy adoption agencies and attorneys for expectant mothers and adoptive parents.

3. Drive Legal Reforms

• Advocate for federal and state legislation to:
  • Prohibit unlicensed adoption brokers
  • Eliminate deceptive and predatory adoption advertising
  • Implement robust protections against exploitation for all parties involved in adoption.

4. Elevate Industry Standards

• Promote best practices among adoption providers through comprehensive education, focusing on:
  • Separate legal representation for all parties
  • Fair and transparent fee structures
  • Informed consent protocols
  • Comprehensive post-placement support

By pursuing these objectives, AdoptChange aims to create a more ethical, transparent, and supportive environment for all those involved in the domestic adoption process.

Our Solutions-Based Approach

AdoptChange takes a proactive stance in addressing challenges within domestic private adoption by offering practical solutions and resources:

Increased Transparency

We developed the Adoption Provider Search Tool, a comprehensive database of over 1,000 licensed and unlicensed adoption providers nationwide. This searchable resource offers crucial information about providers, including location, licensure status, corporate status, website domains, and leadership details.

Education and Empowerment

Our interactive state law maps offer visual guides on various adoption-related topics, including:

• Unlicensed adoption intermediaries
• Adoption advertising regulations
• Post-adoption contact agreements
• Dual representation policies
• Adoption consent and revocation laws
• Putative Father Registries
• Adoption agency licensing requirements

Legislative Reform

We focus on advocating for legislative improvements at both federal and state levels:

Federal Initiatives:

• Push for laws prohibiting unlicensed adoption brokers and deceptive advertising
  
• Work to ensure proper enforcement of existing laws
  
• Advocate for federal collection of private, non-identifying adoption data

State-Level Engagement:

• Collaborate with lawmakers, licensed providers, and law enforcement through state working groups
• Create concrete, stakeholder-driven advocacy plans for each state
• Focus on implementing adequate protections for all parties involved in adoption
• Ensure proper enforcement of adoption laws at the state level
  
  

Join the Movement for Change!

We invite you to support our mission for ethical adoption practices. Whether you're an adoptive parent, a birth parent, an adoptee, or someone who cares about adoption, your voice and support can make a difference.

Visit our Take Action page to learn how you can participate in this effort. Adoption is a life-altering journey; together, we can work towards a future where every adoption is guided by compassion, transparency, and unwavering ethical standards.