For Birthparents

OVERVIEW – MAKING AN ADOPTION PLAN

The decision to make an Adoption Plan for a child is a difficult one. Whatever the situation, we will provide information and counseling to help you make an informed decision. Our staff will help you understand your options and rights in the process, including your eligibility for and access to social services. We also offer financial support and professional counseling for you and your family.

When you contact Caring Adoptions, your initial questions will be answered and arrangements will be made for a face-to-face meeting. Caring Adoptions Staff’s immediate concern will be that you and your baby are in a safe and healthy environment.

As soon as practical, the Caring Adoptions Staff will review options with you, determine your needs and develop a plan that addresses those needs whether they be financial, medical, housing, transportation, counseling or other. Your legal rights and adoption policies, called “Minimum Standards issued by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services”, will be explained. Simultaneously, your desires for Adoptive Parents will be explored, profiles of Adoptive Parents meeting your criteria will be presented for your examination and ultimately you will select Adoptive Parents for your child if you choose to do so.

Birthparents are special people. Caring Adoptions’ Birthparents have blessed more than 1000 Adoptive Families by their completion of an Adoption Plan. We look forward to working with you through this challenging time.

Let us help you with making your decision, creating an adoption plan, and learning what support services are available.

Want to talk? Contact us toll-free at 866-603-7162 or text us at 832-526-4333.

MAKING YOUR DECISION

The decision to place a child for adoption is a serious and life changing one, for both you and your child. You have the responsibility and the right to make a decision that would be in the best interest of your child. By participating in the adoption process, you take control of your child’s future, giving them the gift of a loving, stable home that you choose for them.

Our staff is experienced in discussing your concerns and fears with you. Counseling from a licensed therapist is also available.

Your involvement in the adoption process depends on your needs. Once you have chosen Adoptive Parents, the Caring Adoptions Staff will work with both parties to ensure that there is a mutual understanding as to the details of the Adoption Plan. Caring Adoptions believes you should decide:

The type of adoption – open, semi-open or closed
Extent of contact with the Adopting Parents during the pre-delivery process
Adopting Parents involvement at the hospital
Frequency of information and photographs exchanged following placement

You can take control of your life and help impact the life of your child by making an adoption plan. We are here to help you!

CREATING AN ADOPTION PLAN

Caring Adoptions’ objective to “Find Families For Children” means our emphasis is on the best plan for your child. Our Staff will provide the necessary resources and counseling to enable you to decide whether adoption is in the best interests of your child. We understand that this is a significant, difficult and caring decision.

Services Included in Your Adoption Plan:

Personalized attention and understanding
Pre/Post-adoption counseling
Choosing an Adoptive Family for your child
Making a Hospital Plan
Deciding on the right adoption plan for you and your child
Ongoing support
Housing Assistance when needed
Transportation to and from medical services and counseling appointments
Legal resources
Approved living and medical expenses

Birthparents Design Their Own Individualized Adoption Plan

Caring Adoptions Staff will guide you in designing your Individualized Adoption Plan. Your plan will :

include needs you identify, such as financial, medical, housing and transportation.
be flexible and include your desires in regard to matters such as independent living, type of adoption (semi-open, open, or closed) and criteria for Adoptive Parents.
offer confidential counseling with Staff members experienced in working with Birthparents or with an independent licensed professional.

Your initial Individualized Adoption Plan is a guide to be followed throughout the adoption process.

Birthparents Choose the Adoptive Parents

Your Individualized Adoption Plan includes information to enable our Staff to identify Adopting Parents meeting your criteria. Profiles prepared by qualified Adopting Parents will be shown to you. These persons have been screened to meet the Adoption Standards of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Birthparents Choose the Type of Adoption

You select your level of involvement in the adoption process, by selecting the type of adoption:

Open – Complete identifying information exchanged; on-going contact both pre- and post-placement
Semi-open – Some identifying information shared; meet either pre-delivery or at hospital; direct communication following placement as discussed between both parties; on-going exchange of pictures and letters, usually through the agency
Closed – No identifying information shared; no contact before or after adoption; no on-going information of child shared
Designated – Birthparent independently selects Adoptive Parents

Caring Adoptions Staff work with both you and the Adoptive Parents to determine the terms of contact in the relationship both “pre” and “post” placement. The Staff will work to ensure the agreements are honored by both parties.

Support services are available to you as the Birthparent, plus support for children you may be parenting. Contact us at info@caringadoptions.org or call 866-603-7162 or text 832-526-4333.

SUPPORT SERVICES

Once you have made your Adoption Plan, chosen Adoptive Parents and decided on the Type of Adoption, a financial assistance budget will be developed that follows the needs of your Individualized Adoption Plan. This budget will follow the standards of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and provide assistance until six weeks post-delivery.

Throughout the term of pregnancy the Caring Adoptions Staff can assist you in many ways. This includes:

payments directly to you for food, clothing, transportation and other allowable costs,
transportation, when other sources are not available
payments to service providers such as landlord, doctors and utilities
assisting with the set-up of services and independent living
birthfather location and termination of rights
coordination with Adoptive Parents
pre-natal education and counseling
hospital coordination
counseling, as requested, with a licensed professional

When the time arrives the Caring Adoptions Staff and Adoptive Parents will respect your wishes as to the extent of their involvement in the birthing process. Some Birthparents are alone and request a Caring Adoptions Staff member or Adoptive Parent to be present during the delivery. Others have family support or choose to be alone. Whatever your choice, the Staff member you have worked with throughout your pregnancy will be available to see that your wishes are respected and the Individualized Adoption Plan process is completed in a smooth and professional manner.

BIRTHMOTHERS TESTIMONIALS

It is hard to believe that in less than two weeks our baby girl will be turning six months old. It is even harder to believe that less than a year and a half ago, we had no idea that our families would be touched and completed by such a beautiful and charming baby girl. Richard and I can’t say, “thank you” enough to Caring Adoptions, and everyone that works there, for being the “avenue” which lead us to our Elisabeth. Most importantly, Richard and I want to thank you for being “real people” in the process. You do what you do because you believe in ADOPTION. Most of your staff has gone through the adoption process. Knowing that you can/could empathize with all of the “ups” and “downs” of what can be an emotional process MEANT something then, just as it still means something to us today. We don’t feel like we are/have been alone in the process. The social events and monthly meetings for adoptive parents have meant that we’ve been able to get the emotional support that we needed in our journey. I know that those meetings have a dual purpose….but we have appreciated them for the support that they have meant for us. Richard and I would gladly encourage any family who was looking to adopt to take “the leap”, and to start by picking up the phone and calling Caring Adoptions. Our lives will never be the same (for the better) because we did.

Kristen

Our journey to adopting our son Kaden began with several attempts at IVF which ended in miscarriage and heartache. As we mourned the loss of our last baby, we began to explore adoption, one of our closest friends recommended that we contact Stephanie Warren at Caring Adoptions as our friend trusted Stephanie and knew that we would be in good hands. We spoke to Stephanie and she answered our many questions with patience and we decided to put our trust in her and Caring Adoptions. The road was not easy, but Stephanie and the staff at Caring Adoptions remained calm and steadfast in helping calm our fears, concerns and worries. When we were presented with our birth mom after she chose us from the books presented to her, we felt hopeful but still nervous that things may not go our way. However, our day came when our birth mother gave birth to our beautiful son Kaden, and although it was sad and difficult for our birth mom, she stayed the course and we left the hospital with our gorgeous baby boy. Stephanie remained patient and calm with us as we expressed our fears and we feel lucky to work with such a kind and knowledgeable group of people. Kaden is definitely a blessing and one that would not have been possible without the dedication of Stephanie and the staff at Caring Adoptions. We will be eternally grateful.

Jackie & Jennifer

I started with Caring Adoptions in March of 2011. I knew going in trying to adopt being a single prospective parent would be challenging and the wait time may be long. After 3 years and many bumps in the road I was finally matched with a Birth mom expecting twins. I was very grateful for Pat, Stephanie, Carol, and the other team members at Caring for leading me through the journey and being a great support system. Pat always welcomed me with open arms when things got tough and Stephanie dealt with the Birth Mothers everyday issues during and after the delivery which is a very difficult task. It has been 2 years and not a day goes by that I do not thank God for my babies and Caring Adoptions.

A.O.