We promote adoption as a positive option for those facing unplanned pregnancies.
July 2025 News
What an honor to speak at the
National Conference on Adoption,
June 25-27 in Minneapolis.
Many thanks to the NCFA for inviting me to speak at the National Adoption Conference.
I gave a 90-minute presentation on getting bills passed at the State level, hoping to encourage others to get involved in adoption reform.
We reviewed the 8 adoption bills passed into law in Idaho 2024-2025 sessions, the other FOUR States that have introduced Idaho bills in their own legislatures, steps to getting bills passed, and my "lessons learned" ... there were many!
It just goes to show that anyone can work on reform in their own State. And I hope you will!
I'm thrilled to return to this unique, powerful event. It's a unique opportunity to share our legislative successes before 85+ Lawmakers from 40+ States around the country.
In the last two sessions, the Idaho State Legislature passed eight adoption-related bills, to increase awareness about adoption and assist birth mothers. Often, States will use other States' trailblazing bills as templates -- but only if they know about them! Getting the word out is most efficiently done at a conference like this, where lawmakers are gathered. Lila Rose's LiveAction Pro-Life Lawmakers Summit is just such a place!
Will you help us get to the Summit? Please donate here.
Find my conversation with Greg Burt, of California Family Council on X: Listen/watch here.
Youtube: Listen/watch here.
Facebook: Listen/watch here.
It will be up on all podcast platforms and is also on the site of the California Family Council.
California Family Council Podcast
Many thanks to Greg Burt and the California Family Council for inviting me to be on their podcast!
We look forward to sharing about this at the 2025 Lawmakers Summit!
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The Reason for our Policy Work
In 2023 we talked with Idaho's Superintendent of Education, Debbie Critchfield. She fully supported bringing adoption education into the classroom. We researched a dozen different health ed / sex ed courses for her and found nothing that educated on adoption. Then we talked with a few of those content providers and asked them if they would add it, and the responses were not promising.
That's why we turned to legislation. With the support of Superintendent's office, that route was the most efficient. Our suggestion to teach current adoption practices (when they discuss contraception and/or STDs) is now law in Idaho and four other States have introduced Idaho bills. The last to pass a similar bill was Texas: the Governor just signed it into law on June 20. Now, Texas schools will be including adoption in their health/sex ed classes, following Idaho's lead!
And we could not do this without your support!
The Third Option
The Third Option initiative will send federal funds to State programs on adoption education and birth mother care. Our national coalition is moving forward with this effort. We've been meeting monthly by zoom, and we look forward to our first in-person meeting about a month!
Idaho will be the first Third Option State, as the State Legislature has already approved a resolution that designates those funds for adoption.
Is your State interested??? If so, stay tuned! The web site will include info about how to become a "Third Option" State.
Look for the web site to launch this Fall!
Are You a Birth Mother??
BIRTH MOM SURVEY HERE
If you have ever placed a baby for adoption, please take a minute to complete this survey about post-placement support for birth parents.
We want your input!
OPEN ADOPTION;
It's Not Like the Olden Days!
All of this is about spreading the word about open adoption -- a reasonable option for women facing unplanned pregnancy. The 1970s and 80s were all about closed adoptions. Then we discovered the beauty of open adoption. Learn more about open adoption in this short video.
Phrase of the Day: Open Adoption
Open adoption is a form of adoption in which the biological and adoptive families have each other's contact information and varying degrees of contact with each other, by phone, in person and/or through social media.
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Thank you!
Tell a Friend
You know people who've been touched by adoption. Ask them to write their short story for our web site and sign up for our newsletter.
"My Mom encouraged me, and that made all the difference!
I needed to know that she'd stand by me through this and support the adoption plan."
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Help us to get the word out!
Submit your story!
Happy FOURTH of JULY!
Please forward this newsletter to someone you know who has been touched by adoption. Ask them to sign up for our monthly news here and/or contribute their story to our web site.
Thank you so much for your continued encouragement & support of UPG.
Terri
About Unplanned Good
We promote adoption as a positive option for those facing unplanned pregnancies. It can be so very good (and beautiful!) for all involved.
Unplanned Good is reaching out to both teens and their parents, to let them know that adoption is an option. Studies have shown that young women are 50% more likely to see their pregnancy through and make an adoption plan when an adult suggests this path.
Please visit our site, and pass it on. Read the encouraging, heartfelt stories there. Send in your own story, and ask a friend to do the same.
