A New Adoption Paradigm
A new adoption paradigm. Read a two-part article, authored by ACI’s Richard Pearlman, LCSW, and published Adoption Today Magazine.
The Beginning of Family Resource Center: A Legacy of Ethical, Compassionate Adoption
In the summer of 1988, founder Richard Pearlman and a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors opened the doors to the Family Resource Center (FRC) in Chicago’s Uptown Bank Building. With this milestone, FRC embarked on a mission that remains at its core today—helping children through adoption.
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and an Illinois-licensed Child Welfare agency, FRC has operated under the guidance of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. From the very beginning, the organization set out to create an atmosphere of understanding, trust, and inclusivity. A space where every individual feels welcomed, heard, and valued.
Furthermore, FRC remains deeply committed to providing ethical, compassionate, and innovative adoption services. Drawing from Family Systems Theory, the organization has continuously evolved its approach, ensuring that the adoption community receives the support it deserves. Over the years, FRC has actively challenged outdated narratives, reshaping the way people understand adoption and its lifelong impact.
A New Adoption Paradigm: The Extended Family Network
For more than two decades, Richard Pearlman reflected on the prevailing paradigms that influence how adoption is perceived and practiced. Recognizing the limitations of the traditional “open” and “closed” adoption models, he, along with Jane Turner, ACI’s executive director, set out to develop a more inclusive and dynamic approach.
As a result, they introduced the Extended Family Network—a framework that embraces the many ways families form through adoption. Rather than fitting adoption into rigid categories, this model acknowledges the diverse and evolving nature of these relationships.
In this article, Richard explores the history of adoption, the evolution of adoption paradigms, and how the Extended Family Network is reshaping the conversation around what it truly means to build a family.