Adoption affects everyone in some way, yet it’s often a topic that goes unaddressed in educational settings. That’s why we created AdoptED, an innovative Gladney program that brings adoption education into schools, empowering students to develop empathy and understanding about adoption. AdoptED has made exciting strides recently, expanding resources to reach a wider audience and gaining support from inspiring advocates like Miss Oklahoma. Here’s a look at our latest efforts to broaden adoption awareness.

Expanded Access with AdoptED in Spanish

One of the most exciting advancements is AdoptED’s availability in Spanish. This expansion allows Spanish-speaking students and families to access crucial adoption education, meeting the needs of a previously underserved community. 

Gladney is committed to reaching diverse communities, and making AdoptED available in Spanish is a step toward ensuring that adoption education is accessible to all.

Supplemental Materials for Deeper Learning

We’ve also added new worksheets and supplemental materials to the AdoptED curriculum. These resources make adoption education more interactive and engaging, helping students to connect with the material on a deeper level. 

Teachers now have additional tools to facilitate conversations about adoption, fostering an empathetic environment in classrooms. These materials allow students to explore the complexities of adoption while building skills in understanding and compassion.

Making an Impact in Arkansas with Act 637

Adoption education in Arkansas has taken a significant step forward with the passage of Act 637, which mandates that all public schools provide one hour of adoption awareness education to students in grades 6-12 each year. AdoptED is positioned to meet these new requirements, and its reach is now expanding into middle schools as well as high schools across Arkansas.

This new curriculum developed under Act 637 includes a thorough exploration of adoption, addressing topics such as:

• The societal benefits of adoption
• Types of adoption, including domestic, international, and foster care adoption
• Resources and support for birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees

Through these lessons, students gain a foundation of knowledge about adoption, dispelling misconceptions and fostering understanding. We’re excited to support Arkansas in building a culture of care and compassion for adoption.

Miss Oklahoma’s Influence on Adoption Awareness

Lauren Frost, Miss Oklahoma and an adoptee herself, has brought incredible attention to adoption awareness through her community service initiative, “Adoption as Oklahoma’s Option.” Lauren’s influence has touched thousands of lives—she has spoken to over 11,000 students across 39 states, hosted drives for foster children, and engaged personally with hundreds of adoptees, birth parents, and prospective parents. Her powerful message, “There are no unwanted children, just unfound families,” resonates with audiences and underscores adoption as a loving option for building families.

Why Adoption Education Matters

Adoption education matters because it helps young people understand adoption as a positive, viable option for building families. Through AdoptED, we’re creating a generation that not only sees adoption as a choice but also recognizes its power to transform lives. By instilling empathy, understanding, and awareness, Gladney is preparing young people to be compassionate advocates and supporters of adoption within their communities. Together, we’re building a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone touched by adoption.