Adoptive Parents

Families wanting no contact with the birth parent can be linked to a birth parent who does not want contact with the adoptive parent(s). Most of the adoptions will be "designated" and the agency will do some "identified" adoptions whereby placement staff will ensure that the families selected meet the Agency's criteria and that the placement is in the child's best interest.

A "designated" adoption is defined as one in which birth parents select an adoptive family from de-identified descriptions of prospective adoptive families provided by the placement agency.

An "identified" adoption is one in which birth parents and adoptive parents come together with the intent to effect an adoption, then contact the placement agency.

We provide counseling to the adoptive family when requested in-house or by telephone regarding adoption related issues after consummation.

Birth Mothers

Below is the list of services we provide for Birth Mothers who meet the requirements list above:

• Counseling

  The purpose of the counseling is to make sure the birth mother considers the implications of placing a child for adoption, temporary substitue care, or placement with relatives.

• Legal Advise

  We provide adisement of legal rights and responsibilities in regard to the Relinquishment of Parental Rights, waivers, affidavit of status, termination of parental rights, and designating the fathe of a child as "unknown."

• Financial Assistance

  We provide support for subsistent expenses, transportation, and medical care related to the pregnancy.

• Administrative Assistance

  We provide information for any inquiry regarding the adoption process, completion of legal forms, and service plans.

• Child Information

  Any significant information discovered by the birth family such as medical information wich affects the future of the child is routed to the adoptive family.

The adoption agency provides services primarily to newborns whose parent(s) have chosen an adoption plan. However, the agency can also serve older children that are in need of adoptive placement.

Children in need of Home Placement

• Managing conservatorship of children whose plan is adoption with no primary need for foster or residential care.
• Male and female newborn infants with the exception of male and female children up to 10 years of age if they are part of a sibling group or have special needs.
• Children with special needs include three years of age and older, are part of a sibling group with the goal of keeping the children together, have minor physical disabilities not requiring specialized foster care and need a minimum of ongoing medical care (e.g. blind, hearing impaired, cleft palate), are developmentally delayed but have the potential of completing school through special classes.
• Assessment of children's needs for services while in placement and the development of strategies with periodic evaluation for addressing the needs.
• Substitute care when an adoptive home is not immediately available. Includes an active service plan and Agency supervision.
• Selecting potential adoptive families who meet the Agency's criteria and who demonstrate competence in meeting the child(s) needs.
• Counseling in-house or by telephone provided or referrals made for adoptees regarding adoption related issues.

Adoption Registry

The Agency informs birth families and adoptees of the process to enlist with an adoption registry and to seek reunion when the child becomes an adult.