All Children - All Families: Inclusive Agency Forms

Inclusive language in agency forms required of clients reflects all potential applicants and contributes to an agency’s welcoming environment for LGBT clients.

At the simplest level, applications and forms should not divide applicants into the categories of “mother” and “father.” A best practice of inclusion in forms is to, instead, refer to “applicant 1” and “applicant 2” or “parent 1” and “parent 2.” These considerations should be made for all forms, including: applications, sign-in sheets and homestudy paperwork.

Sample forms:

• Adoptions Together, “Domestic Infant Information Packet”
• Adoptions Together, “Domestic School Age & Older Children (Adoption Works) Information Packet”
• Adoptions Together, “Homestudy Only Services Information Packet”
• Family Builders,  “Application Form for Foster Adoptive Parents”