For many birth parents, having the option to select the adoptive parents for their child is an important part of their adoption planning. When you are ready, you will work with your counselor to begin to choose a family. The family will be carefully pre-screened and pre-approved by Adoption Resources. All adoptive parents complete a "home study," which includes a thorough review of health histories, financial stability, criminal records and child abuse registries, personal references and home safety, as well as discussions about being adoptive parents. You will initially get to know these families by reading letters they have written describing themselves and looking at their pictures in photo albums. You may make a connection with a family just by reviewing the material. You may also have many questions about our adoptive families. Either way your counselor will be with you to help you make a decision you feel is best.
After identifying adoptive parents that seem interesting to you, your counselor will arrange a face-to-face meeting so you can get to know them. If you are in different states, the initial introduction may be by telephone. Then it may be possible for you to come here for a visit or for the family to come to visit you. Why get together? It is important for you and the potential adoptive family to get to know each other and talk about your hopes for the child. Your counselor will be with you to help facilitate your meetings. However, if you do not want to select the adoptive family and do not want to meet an adoptive family, we will respect your choices.
During the counseling process, you will begin to plan for the baby's birth. We will work with you to decide:
- Do you want anyone with you at the hospital during labor and delivery?
- How much contact do you want in the hospital with the baby?
- Do you want to be on the maternity floor?
- Do you want the baby to go directly from the hospital to the adoptive parents' home?
- Do you want to choose transitional care so you may take more time to make your decision?
Until you make a final decision that adoption is the right choice for you and your baby, you will not sign any legal documents. Each state has different laws governing the legal process for placing a child for adoption. In some states, like Massachusetts, you may sign legal documents at the agency with your counselor; other states require that signing be done in court. In all states, no legal documents can be signed until after the child is born. Whatever the legal steps, the agency and your counselor will guide the process and will be there to support you.
If you make an adoption plan for your child you will receive letters and pictures, sent through the agency, from the adoptive parents. These updates are provided at frequent intervals until age 18. In addition, you may also send letters and gifts for the adoptive parents and your child that will be passed on to them through our agency.
The agency offers extensive post-placement counseling services for all birth parents choosing to place a child for adoption. We will arrange for in-person counseling at a location close to your home. We've been here for almost 150 years and we will always be as close as your telephone.