OFM 523 26Health - FINAL_Profile 4 / 18 / 23 4 : 27 PM Page 2 PROMOTION big driving factors as to why the concept has be - unique situations , concerns or challenges through - ganization places on being open and honest with come more generally accepted in the public eye . out the experience , ” says Trocki . those desiring to adopt . “ Seeing LGBTQIA + families in your neigh - One key area of the adoption process that “ We work with couples during each step of borhoods , in a magazine or on a TV show does 26Health is able to assist families with is the home the adoption process , being transparent on time - wonders when members of the community feel study , an integral step along the way that includes frames — which vary case - to - case — and informa - that they too can have a family , ” Trocki says . “ It the opportunity for the agency to not only get a tion that guides them through the journey , ” she is no longer seen as an impossibility , but an ob - glimpse of life inside the home , but also a look at says . tainable reality . ” the prospective parent’s childhood , their education But it’s not just the prospective adoptive par - With so much information available to same - and past relationships . The study also takes a look ents benefitting from 26Health’s services , as the sex couples , along with the comprehensive services at their current life , including their medical history , organization also believes in supporting the birth offered by 26Health , LGTBQIA + couples are now relationship status and work experience . parents . For instance , if a birth mother begins better able to evaluate their options and discover In working with the families , 26Health is able working with the agency before the child is born , what works best for them . to answer any questions they have about complet - they receive prenatal care and the birth parents “ Adoption and family - building does not nec - ing the necessary paperwork , the fingerprinting will have input on who the child is placed with if essarily follow a straight and narrow path . By of - process or the required online training . The agency they so desire . If a birth mother desires to have a fering a holistic approach , we hope to provide the will also meet with the family inside their home semi - open or open adoption , it is the goal of resources and support to assist families during this to review everything and conduct an “ interview ” 26Health to match the birth family with a prospec - journey . The process is a sensitive one , and through portion of the home study . tive family who has the same desire and confirm this holistic approach we aim to provide a cus - It’s all part of preparing families for what to that information is provided as appropriate . tomized experience for families who may have expect , and Trocki stresses the importance the or - “ It is the belief of 26Health that all parents , children and individuals should be afforded the support and understanding of the agency . After the final judgment is signed by the judge , it does not mean that the parents no longer need support and understanding , ” says Trocki . “ It is the goal of the agency to ensure that the family and child have the availability to obtain medical and mental health services in one location , as well as being there to be available for any concerns they may have . ” And for those folks who don’t feel they are right for adoption and could not properly welcome a child into their home , Trocki says there are still lots of ways to make a difference . This might in - clude sponsoring a child’s birthday or providing other critical assistance . One recent program 26Health created is called A Bag of My Own , where new and gently - used luggage is collected and distributed to children throughout the state , ensuring they’ll never have to use a trash bag for their belongings ever again . All in all , as Florida’s first completely inclusive adoption agency , 26Health looks to continue to raise awareness in the local community about its ever - evolving adoption services and the many ways it can help families form lasting bonds . “ We hope to continue playing our role of building families in Central Florida as the accep - tance of LGBTQIA + families increases and as in - terest in family - building grows in the community , ” Trocki says . “ We look forward to meeting the in - creasing demand in assisting our community members during whichever stage they are in during this process . ” 26Health 801 N . Magnolia Ave . , Suite 402 | Orlando ( 321 ) 800 - 2922 | 26Health.org ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM may 2023 ORLANDO FAMILY 49