Adoption Network Cleveland

Adult adoptees, birth family, and dna surprises - our adult adoptee & birth parent programs provide information, support, education, and advocacy for adoptees and birth parents, siblings, and other impacted family members, as well as those discovering new dna connections. Programs and services in this area include our general discussion meetings and search & dna assistance program. Our general discussion meetings are facilitated, peer support meetings offered multiple times per month that provide a safe space for members of the adoption constellation and those with dna surprises to share perspectives and receive support. Our search & dna assistance program provides support and guidance for those wishing to search and reconnect with birth family members.

Education and community outreach-our education and community outreach services create a community for professional training, development, and collaboration for all those working with adoption, kinship, and foster care populations. We also provide educational opportunities for members of the adoption constellation and the community at large through presentations from local, regional, and national experts. We maintain partnerships and relationships with other community organizations to share resources, information, and referrals.

Advocacy & public policy - one of adoption network cleveland's founding principles is to create social change and serve as a collective voice for many who feel otherwise silenced. The organization acts to effectuate changes in public policy governing adoption and child welfare. This public policy includes laws, agency regulations, and societal attitudes. The organization uses grassroots and other lobbying efforts to ensure these voices are heard. On a more individual level, adoption network cleveland also works with hundreds of adoptees, birth parents, individuals with dna surprises, those who are donor-conceived, adoptive, kinship, and foster parents, and foster youth each year to educate them about their rights and empower them to advocate for themselves.