There are many easy ways you can help, from writing a letter, joining an organization, and lending your voice to the effort.

Use the map below to find out ways in which you can help in your own state! Only together can we help others to understand this complicated issue and to effect legislative change.

HERE ARE 5 WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

1. Sign up on the Adoption Reform ACTION! List on the ‘Action’ page. 
All it takes is your name and email address and state. You will only be contacted when there is pending legislation or a significant event regarding adoption reform. The list is maintained (and used) only by the American Adoption Congress and affiliate regional organizations.

2. Take Action.
If the AAC should alert you to pending legislation, know that your voice matters. Write a letter, call your state representatives, respond to articles in local papers. Legislators do care about their constituents. Let them know how you feel about access legislation, and briefly share with them your reasons.

3. Speak Up.
Start a conversation at the dinner table about what your identity means to you. Educate others by sharing your personal story, start a blog, make art, talk to a friend, do role playing, attend a rally, write an op-ed letter for your local paper.  Talk to five people about adoptees and their lack of information in many states – and point out that many are senior citizens.

4. Join a local adoption support group or legislative action committee.
Learn more about the laws in your state, why they were created, and the history of legislative action, if any. Consider joining national organizations like the American Adoption Congress (www.americanadoptioncongress.org) and Concerned United Birthparents (www.cubirthparents.org). Only with support and members can they succeed.

5. Host a screening of ADOPTED: for the life of me.
Sign up to host a screening of the film – there’s a button on the Tools page which will lead you to a sign up page, a free guide, and information how you can receive a loaner dvd for your screening.

Successful change only occurs from a team effort. There may be a key person or group at the heart of a reform effort but it is the collective voices and will of the people who effect change. YOUR VOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE.