Every perspective in adoption matters—from the children waiting for their forever families to the professionals facilitating the process. Each adoption journey is unique, shaped by race, ethnicity, cultural identity, age, and individual circumstances. Adoption professionals can help create a more empathetic, effective, and inclusive support system by integrating the voices of those who have been adopted into the development and implementation of adoption supports and services.  

Including those with lived experience (LE) should be done with a clear purpose and focus, not something added on as part of a checklist. Working with those with LE is often deprioritized, or organizations are frequently not prepared to embrace their expertise. Before an agency starts working with individuals with LE, it should examine its readiness to incorporate any feedback or suggestions it may receive and its plan to provide support—emotional, psychological, and financial—throughout the process.  

Incorporating the input of those with LE into adoption supports and services brings a unique dimension to the child welfare system and the adoption journey. Individuals who have been adopted possess a deep understanding of the challenges, triumphs, and nuances of adoption. Their insights can offer perspectives that professionals and prospective adoptive parents may not initially fully grasp. Listening to and incorporating the lessons learned from their experiences can add a layer of empathy, understanding, and authenticity to the support systems designed for children and youth in need of adoption and who have been adopted.  

A key strategy for incorporating LE into adoption supports and services involves practicing active listening. This can be challenging, as it requires managing one's emotions and recognizing personal biases, but it can also be a powerful tool that facilitates deep understanding. Adoption professionals should create spaces for individuals with LE to share their stories so a diverse range of perspectives can be considered in program and policy development. Find additional strategies and issues below that adoption professionals should consider when integrating LE into services and practice: 

• Policy development: Professionals should involve those with LE when shaping adoption policies. Their insights can guide reforms and help create policies that resonate with the people that professionals support. Policy discussions should respect and uplift these voices. 
• Advisory panels: Forming advisory panels composed of youth with LE can provide a structured platform for their voices to be heard. These panels can offer feedback on current practices, identify service gaps, and contribute to developing more inclusive and responsive adoption resources. The input from these panels should be valued and not just be a formality. 
• Cultural responsiveness: Recognizing and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds is paramount in adoption services. Professionals should actively seek to understand the cultural nuances that affect the adoption experience and integrate this knowledge into resource development and support systems. 

While incorporating the voices of those with LE into policy and practice is essential, it's not all there is to a truly authentic partnership. Doing this type of work—and it is work—can be emotionally draining or even retriggering for LE consultants. They might need help navigating trauma triggers and secondary traumatic stress, developing and maintaining boundaries, or balancing this work with their personal life. Agencies should also expect to compensate LE consultants financially. 

Creating a cycle of support even before those with LE are at the table can promote successful outcomes and positive experiences that help them feel their contributions are impactful and meaningful. It is important to note that support is different from oversight. Support helps those with LE handle their feelings and the challenges they face. A cycle of support can guide and assist individuals throughout their work with an agency or organization, providing support at all stages of engagement.  

To truly transform adoption services, it is essential to be committed to actively listening to diverse narratives, fostering collaboration with and supporting people with LE, and embedding strategies that prioritize the lessons learned from those experiences. Through collective efforts, it becomes possible to create an adoption support system that is not only responsive but also values the strength and resilience inherent in every individual's unique journey.