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The Adoption Process If you choose to make an adoption plan, what is the process? You will fill out a form letting us know 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. 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 choose approximately 3 families that most closely match your wishes. If you do not choose one of those families, we will present you with 3 more. You will have the opportunity to discuss the different families with our counselor, who can help you, if you desire. 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.). Most of the time, we do not encourage the family to come to where you are until relinquishment has been signed. Many times, you are not in the same state as the adoptive family, and that avoids any unnecessary travel expenditures, should you change your mind about placing before relinquishment is signed. If you desire, we can provide a volunteer for labor and delivery support, and/or help with transportation. 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 have no 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. After placing your child for adoption can be a very difficult time. Our counselor will be available for you. Feel free to contact him if/when you need to. 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 have any questions about the adoption process, please ask!!!! Local Utah number: 801-772-1008; Toll-free 888-334-0062 Back | Next Page | Options Index | Expectant Parent Home | Articles |