Adoptive parent training is one of the first formal steps toward adopting through Open Arms Adoptions in Ohio.
It is a three-day course, all three days required, and it prepares prospective approved families for the home study, matching, and placement stages that follow.
We know the adoption process can feel overwhelming from the outside. The training is designed to make things clearer: by the end, you will know exactly what is being asked of you and in what order.
Our next session is below. If the date does not work, know that sessions are held periodically in Central Ohio, including Westerville. To explore common adoption questions at your own pace, we invite you to visit our adoption information page.
Your 3-Day Adoptive Parent Training
Training runs for three consecutive days, and attendance on all three full days is required to complete it. All three full days are required, and there is no makeup day, so plan to attend the entire session before registering.
Next session: October 16 to 18, 2026, Quest Conference Center, 9200 Worthington Road, Suite 400, Westerville, OH 43082
Our adoption training classes cover what to expect during your home study, how matching works for both foster care and infant adoption, what the first months after placement typically look like, and the effects of trauma and loss on children who join a family through adoption.
To register, complete the registration form and email it to info@openarmsadopt.com.
Payment is due at the time of registration. The training fee is $500 for the weekend. For those who complete training and move forward with home study, that amount is issued as a credit. Additionally, families receive a stipend for their time spent in training.
Space is limited, so we recommend registering in advance.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Training is the start of the sequence, not the whole of it. Here is what follows.
Your adoption home study. An assessor interviews everyone in your household, runs background checks, reviews financial and medical documentation, and visits your home as part of your home study requirements. The written assessment that comes out of it is what formally approves your family for adoption.
Most families find this less intrusive than they expected. If you're wondering how long a home study takes, the timeline largely depends on how quickly the required paperwork comes together. At Open Arms Adoptions, most families are generally approved within 4-6 months of their application. A lot of this depends on how quickly you complete paperwork and how flexible you can be with scheduling the home study appointments.
Not Ready for This Training Date? Here's What to Do
Plenty of people land here and find that the next session does not fit. That is normal, and it does not put you at the back of any line.
- If October 16 to 18 does not work: We hold adoptive parent training in Ohio periodically throughout the year. Contact our team about upcoming training sessions by phone, text, or the contact form, and we will let you know when the next one is scheduled.
- If you are still deciding: That is a fine reason to call, too. You can also read our policies and procedures first.
Ready to Make a Difference?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Our three-day adoption training classes prepare approved adoptive families for the home study, matching, and placement stages, including what to expect from each and how trauma and loss affect children who join a family through adoption.
All three full days are required.
The cost of adoptive parent training may differ from state to state or from agency to agency. At Open Arms Adoptions, we offer a 3-day training program for $500.
We hold training periodically throughout the year. Call, text, or contact Open Arms Adoptions, and we will let you know when the next session is scheduled.
Families move into the adoption home study, then matching, then placement. Ohio requires at least six months of placement before a probate judge finalizes the adoption. Support continues after that through our support groups and ongoing training.
