As you know, we at Unplanned Good are working hard to get pro-adoption legislation passed -- specifically to benefit the brave women who choose adoption for their babies.
You can read more about these bills on our Policy page. 
The Session is in full swing now, so by our next (March) newsletter, I hope to have some news for you about which of our bills made it to the Floor for a vote, and which of our bills may have passed into law. Stay tuned!

Creating a Family.org
just published their "Adoptions in the US ~ Our Annual Update". It's interesting reading! There they affirm what we've been saying:

• most adoptions in the US are from the foster system,
• domestic infant adoption is on the decline,
• international infant adoption (in the US from other countries) is also on the decline, 
  
  Approx 25,700 infants were adopted in the US in 2019 and approx 19,700 were adopted in 2020. 

The NCFA just published this helpful article, "How to Find an Adoption-Competent Therapist". This article covers both qualities of an adoption-competent therapist and tips for interviewing therapists before making a commitment. 

One of the bills being sponsored for legislative consideration by Unplanned Good would ensure that every birth mother knows she is entitled to both pre- and post-placement individual counseling sessions with a licensed therapist. We strongly support ensuring that every woman who makes an adoption plan knows she is entitled to both pre- and post-placement therapy.

Update on Corporate Adoption Benefits

There were more than 113,000 children in the foster system eligible for adoption in the US in 2021, and ~54,000 children adopted, as more people build families through adoption.

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption recently released its annual Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list. In the 2023 report, they found “both an increase in the number of organizations that participated [in offering adoption benefits] and first-time providers of benefits.” Also, financial reimbursement for adoption increased by 23.5% compared to 2022, bringing the average amount covered to $14,831 plus nine weeks of paid leave.

Some companies offer much more. American Express, for example, offers up to $35,000 in adoption benefits to employees. 

Get more info on the AAPLOG conference here. 

MY BLOG WAS PUBLISHED ON ADOPTING.COM!  

"Open Adoption: A Changed Reality" was just published on Adopting.com. It's a part of spreading the word about open adoption as an option.
I'm happy to share it with you here.  

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.

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.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Fewer than 0.5% of women facing unplanned pregnancy make an adoption plan?
• When they do, it's because an adult in their life encouraged them to consider adoption?
• There are over one million U.S. couples waiting now to adopt?