Open Arms Adoptions was awarded a grant from the Gay Community Endowment Fund of the Akron Community Foundation. This grant has been applied to combat discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in the adoption industry.
Open Arms Adoptions is firmly against discrimination. To that end, we have developed a multi-media campaign that is running during the month of June. Be sure to check out our full page ad in the June issue of the Devil Strip. You can hear our ads on the JENY 107.3 and WKSU, in addition to a Facebook campaign.
We have made some internal changes to signal to the LGBTQ+ community that we are an affirming and accepting agency. These changes include appending our pronouns to our email signatures and our staff listing, the addition of a small rainbow flag icon on our website, and an LGBTQ+ Families page on our site.
Open Arms Adoptions will also be attending Akron Pride on August 28. Our staff will be participating in the parade that morning and we will have a booth where we will be available to discuss all things adoptions with anyone who wants to start or grow their family.
Our mission is to find families for children. Everyone deserves a family and families come in all styles.
The first step is reaching out to a licensed adoption agency. Local children’s services agencies are a great place to start if you’re looking to provide temporary foster care. If your goal is to adopt, however, a private agency is often a better option for you. From there, you’ll attend an orientation, start your training, and begin the home study process.
The timeline for adoption varies by type, agency, and preferences. Domestic infant adoption can take up to a few years. Staying flexible and keeping your profile updated can help.
Yes, you can. A lot of families adopt siblings of varying ages. Some even thrive on that range. If your home is ready for it, you can welcome a toddler and a teenager to your family. So long as you can provide and cater to their various needs.
Open Arms Adoptions is 501(c)3 non-profit agency licensed by the State of Ohio.