adoptproc

En Espanol- Servicios | Opciones | Contracto (servicios en Estados Unidos solamente

The Adoption Process

If you choose to make an adoption plan, what is the process?

*~* You will fill out a form letting us know about you and what kind of family you would like for your child. You will also need to fill out a non-identifying information form so your child and his/her family will know some information about you. It includes information about medical history, social history, your likes and dislikes, talents, etc. There are some information release forms that allow us to get necessary documents. We also need an application filled out with the supporting documents and a proof of pregnancy from your doctor.

*~* When you are about 6 months along (unless you come to us already past that), we will present you with some family profiles. We will present families that most closely match your wishes. If you do not choose one of those families, we will present you with more. You will have the opportunity to discuss the different families with our counselor or social worker, who can help you, if you desire.

*~* Remember, this decision is yours...it's not your parents' or your siblings or your friend's. You need to figure out what is best for you and your baby. Sometimes the decision to be made is what is best for you or your baby. We are here to share information, options and support to help you make this decision, but we can't make it for you.

*~* We also try to get things started with the father of the baby as soon as possible. In most states, the father can sign relinquishment or a waiver before the baby is born. If you do not know for sure who the father is, we need to follow the laws in the state you live in for initiating contact and trying to get papers signed. Some guys don't want anything to do with it, others want to be controlling and won't sign just to be spiteful-or threaten that and never follow through. We can help you work through these issues, but sometimes it takes a while, so the sooner we get started, the better. We provide legal assistance in this area.

*~* When you have chosen a family, we notify the family of your decision and let them know a little about you, and they will accept or not accept the match. If the match is accepted, you will have the option of having some communication with the family, either directly or supervised by the agency (such as a 3-way call, letters through the agency, etc.). If you and the adoptive family live in different states, we do not encourage the family to come to where you are until relinquishment has been signed. That avoids any unnecessary travel expenditures, should you change your mind about placing before relinquishment is signed.

*~* We recommend developing a birth plan. We can provide a volunteer for labor and delivery support, and/or help with transportation, if needed or desired. We/they can help you get on medicaid, if you are not already and qualify, and find other public agency assistance, if necessary, such as WIC, housing assistance, etc. We feel that is it best for you to be taking care of these things just as if you would if you were planning to parent. If you change your mind after birth and don’t place, we don’t want you having any guilty feelings that the adoptive family supported you financially and you kept the baby.

*~* If you are outside Utah, we will arrange for a local attorney or agency to assist with explaining relinquishment, taking the actual relinquishment and doing the rest of the work that needs to be done for the adoptive family to get physical custody of the child and take the child home.

*~* We will also help you in developing an open or semi-open adoption plan…how much contact you want to have after birth and placement. This contact can be letters and pictures, phone calls and possibly visits. Before placement, you and the adoptive parents will come up with a written agreement concerning this contact. It can be through the agency or directly between you and the adoptive family, depending on how you and the adoptive family feel about things. Even if you chose a totally closed adoption, the agency requires the family to submit pictures on an annual basis until age 10, then at 15 and 18, should you ever choose to contact us for those.

*~* Often, after placing your child for adoption can be a very difficult time--either immediately or down the road. Our counselor will be available for you. Feel free to contact her if/when you need to. This service will go on indefinitely after placement.

*~* You have the option to have as much contact with the baby as you wish after birth and before placement. There have been many birthparents that have said that time together to say hello…and goodbye…was very important, even though difficult. It’s up to you, but you may want to discuss your feelings on this with our counselor.

*~* If you go through the process and decide to parent, and then later decide that maybe adoption would be a better plan, you can always come back to us and see if the family you chose is still available, or choose a new family if they aren't or you didn't choose one initially.

If you have any questions about the adoption process, please ask!!!!

Local Utah number: 801-772-1008; Toll-free 888-334-0062