ADOPTION PLANNING

Adoption planning starts when you have decided that adoption is the right choice for your child. The goal is to create an adoption plan that honors your choices and wishes for your unborn child. Our desire is to give you support during your pregnancy as well as ease some of the stress you may be feeling. The amount of support you receive is dependent on your needs and desires. If you find that this process is emotionally difficult and you need more counseling and support, your adoption plan will include more of these services. Throughout the process, your social worker will be there for emotional support while also walking you through the adoption plan step by step.


BIRTHMOTHERS...Call or Text 559.905.1000


The adoption planning process begins by meeting with your social worker. Your social worker will get to know you through this process and is there for your during and after your pregnancy. This process typically includes:

  • choosing/meeting an adoptive family, if you wish
  • making a hospital and birth plan
  • financial assistance needed during pregnancy
  • working with birth father, if necessary
  • paperwork/legal aspect of adoption
  • emotional aspect of adoption
  • planning future contact (open adoption agreement)

If you have ideas about the type of adoptive family that you are looking for, we will ask about these preferences and then locate families that would be a good fit. You will have the chance to look through family albums of potential adoptive families, which include letters and pictures of the waiting families. if you do not wish to choose the adoptive family, the agency can match you with a waiting family. No matter what, your preferences and decision are honored. We do not exclude the biological father's involvement at any point during the adoption plan and would welcome his participation, if appropriate.


Once you have chosen an adoptive family, you will have the opportunity to meet them, if you would like. With the support of your social worker, you can meet the family and get to know them during your pregnancy. You have the right to ask for an open adoption, where you can receive updates about your child. We will ask about your thoughts on this and whether or not you'd like to receive updates about your child, often including texts, pictures, letters, phone calls, and even visits. If this seems emotionally difficult, you can choose to have a closed adoption, in which you would not received updates about the child.


Part of the adoption plan includes preparing you for the emotional aspect of placing a child for adoption. Again, your social worker will tailor their approach to give you the support you need throughout this process. Birth parents can receive as much counseling and support as they need, even years after the adoption is completed. If you find that you are having a hard time at any point in the future, please contact us and we will do our best to get you the support you need.