BUTTERFIELD MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

The second and oldest program is deaconess pregnancy & adoption (dpa). Founded in 1900 on the plains of oklahoma territory, it is the oldest non- profit adoption agency in oklahoma. Thousands of families have been created and thousands more serviced with counseling and support throughout its history. Dpa is a social service agency of the free methodist church - usa and its purpose is charitable and religious in nature, focused on positive outcomes for children by serving women in unexpected pregnancies, facilitating the adoption of children, and providing resources, support, and counseling to all involved. For women and men experiencing an unexpected or crisis pregnancy, dpa provides counseling and full information regarding all options in a non- judgmental and accepting environment so that the client can make a fully informed decision. Making an adoption plan is a fully voluntary decision and many clients served are supported and resourced in their decision to parent. Expectant parents are assisted in many ways, including helping to locate a medical provider, food, shelter, clothing, and/or transportation as well as by connections to other community resources, such as parenting classes, infant supplies and support groups. For those who choose to make an adoption plan, the agency is a licensed adoption provider and maintains many prospective adoptive families of a variety of backgrounds and interests who are approved to have a child placed in their home after a rigorous assessment process that meets all state as well as agency standards. Adoptive parents are vetted by the agency through a series of measures, including an application process, training seminar, and home study assessment. When an approved family has a child placed in their home, the agency also supervises the placement for several months to ensure success of the placement. Dpa views adoption not as a one-time event, but as an ongoing journey and seeks to provide lifelong support to all parties involved, including the birth family, adoptee and adoptive parents. Support is provided by ongoing events throughout the year targeted both to the birth family and the adoptive family. All parties can also request counseling and support from the agency at any time. In addition, search and reunion services are also available to facilitate contact and relationship in the event of a closed adoption. This service is available to all clients who have worked with dpa in the 124-year history of the agency as adoption records are maintained back to the agency's founding. Infant adoption and search and reunion services were completed as outlined below. Therapeutic counseling services to the community saw a significant increase in 2024. The dpa counseling center aims to serve those in our community touched by foster care or adoption, infertility, maternal mental health, or those with attachment-related issues. Despite the reason an individual or family seeks counseling, the goal of the dpa counseling center is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for those processing relational difficulties or mental health concerns. Individual and family sessions are available in our office with telehealth options offered when needed. Dpa also provided community training and education on the option of adoption to pregnancy resource centers around the state. Dpa maintains its accreditation with the oklahoma department of mental health and substance abuse services as an outpatient mental health facility and was awarded a three year accreditation distinction in 2024. Furthermore, dpa is a member of and participates in many community organizations and coalitions with the intent to partner well with other community organizations and ensure that the mission of dpa is known by those working alongside us. Funds are raised to support the operation of dpa services and programs. Donors are reached through direct mail, social media, e-blast emails, and personal visits. Multiple special events are also held throughout the year to raise awareness and community engagement. Overview of 2024 services: infant adoption program: . Fielded 53 inquiry calls from expectant parents . Served 28 expectant parents . Provided 644 pre/post client contact hours with expectant parents . Fielded 144 inquiry calls from prospective adoptive parents . Provided 1,454 pre/post client contact hours with adoptive families . Completed 11 home studies, 12 home study updates, and 19 post-placement supervisory reports . Placed 12 infants in adoptive homes post-adoption/search & reunion: . Fielded 56 inquiry calls from triad members (adoptee, birth family, or adoptive family) . Received requests for non-identifying medical/social information from seven adult adoptees and confidential intermediary searches from nine triad members . Completed five reunions . Provided 120 client contact hours with those involved in the searching process post-adoption/counseling center: . Fielded 178 inquiry calls for therapeutic services . Conducted 39 intake assessments . Completed 961 counseling sessions community training/eduation: . The agency provided 11 presentations to the community impacting 49 individuals . Training was provided to 16 pregnancy resource centers, with 107 individuals learning how to present the option of adoption to clients . Other community events attended throughout the year resulted in over 500 people being exposed to and hearing about the agency's services volunteer hours: . Gala - 10 people at 150 hours . Seminar training - 10 people at 20 hours community partnerships: . Oklahoma adoption coalition . Oklahoma department of mental health & substance abuse services . Oklahoma association of infant mental health . Hope pregnancy center . Pregnancy resource network . Oklahoma department of human services . Oklahoma baptist homes for children . Rose day committee fundraising overview: . 750 donations were made to the organization . 303 donors gave, with 121 being new donors . 227,535 were raised through special events of a gala and a fundraising walk . In-kind gifts secured had a total value of 19,949 . Total contributions were 451,196.