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Birth Parent Information and Services
Who
is A Child's Waiting Adoption Agency?
A Child's Waiting is a family-operated agency that offers
individualized attention and services
to the children and families it serves.
Our family wants to help you do what
is best for your family, be it parenting
the child yourself or placing he or
she for adoption. A Child's Waiting strives in helping each individual feel comfortable within
our adoption program by offering support, education,
encouragement, and options. A Child's
Waiting is available 24-hours a day,
seven days a week.
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What
birth parent adoption services does A Child's
Waiting offer?
A Child's Waiting wants to help you as the birth mother
make one of the most important decisions
of your life. We will help you look
at all of your options and help you
decide what is in the best interest
of your child and your future. Our adoption agency will help you formulate an
adoption plan for your child one step
at a time. You tell us what type of
family would be best for your child
as well as what level of openness you
would like, as the birth mother, to have with the family
now and in the future. A Child's Waiting
will present to you several potential adoptive families
that fit into the characteristics that
you request for an open adoption. Generally, you will receive
between six and eight profiles at a
time. You can review AS MANY profiles
as you wish before making a decision.
You will receive a "Dear Birth Parent" letter
from each family telling you more about
themselves. They will also provide
a "photo resume" to show you more about
themselves, their family, and lifestyle.
Once you review the profiles, you have
the option of conducting an interview
with the adoptive families, either in person
or on the phone. You can ask them any
question you want and further discuss
openness issues. A Child's Waiting
will be with you through the entire open adoption process. As the Birth
Parent, you are in total control of
the process as well as the way it proceeds.
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What
adoption options and community services are available
to you?
Placing your child for adoption is
a permanent decision therefore it is
important that you understand all of
your options. As the birth mother you must speak to an
adoption assessor at least once before
signing any adoption documents. This
assessor will discuss the following:
Options
- parenting the child yourself
- placing your child with a relative
or friend either temporarily or permanently
- placing your child in foster care
or a guardianship
- making an adoption plan for placing
your child in the care of another
family
Community Services that may be available
to you. We will help you connect with
each program as requested.
- counseling
- birth parent support groups
- legal services
- health care/nutrition services
- employment services
- financial help
- child care
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What different
types of child adoption
is available to you?
- Open adoption allows for the
exchange of identifying information
about yourself as the birth parent and the adoptive
family. You can request an adoptive
family that is open to sending
letters and pictures either directly
to you or through the agency. Some
birth parents want to have continued
physical contact with the baby.
This would involve visits throughout
the child's life. The frequency
will be agreed upon before placement.
Some birth parents will visit once
a year while others may visit every
few weeks or months. There are
different levels of open adoption and
we will help you decide what is
best for you.
- Birth parents will receive letters
and pictures of the baby whether
or not you want an open adoption.
We have adoptive families send photos
every three months the first year,
twice a year the next two, and
at least once a year beyond that
until the child reaches adulthood.
If you prefer, we can hold onto
the letters and pictures until
you are ready to receive them.
You may also wish to send pictures
or gifts to your child as he or
she grows. This can be done in
the same manner, either through
A Child's Waiting or directly with
the family. These are issues you
can personally discuss with the
adoptive family during your interview
if you wish.
- Unlike an open adoption, a closed adoption is confidential.
Neither party will know the other's
identity.
- There are numerous options available
to you and they will all be discussed
with your adoption counselor. As
a the birth mother or parent, you should remain
flexible but not compromise on
the type of adoption you wish to
have.
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What
laws govern the release of parental rights?
- Laws vary by state. For example,
in Ohio, you must wait 72 hours after
the birth of your child to end your
parental right voluntarily. Our adoption agency can guide you through the
process within your state.
- If you are a minor, you DO NOT
have to tell your parents. We will
provide an attorney to represent
you. This fee will be paid for by
the adoptive family.
- Once you sign the permanent surrender,
your rights as the birth parent are terminated
and you can not change your mind
about the adoption in the future.
- In the event that the Birth Father
or his whereabouts are unknown, or,
he is denying paternity, A Child's
Waiting will explain the legal aspects
and your options.
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What
financial assistance for adoption
is available?
If you decide to formulate an adoption
plan, there will be NO cost for services
offered by A Child's Waiting. The
adoptive family will be responsible
for the medical bills associated
with your child's labor and delivery
as well as all legal fees. Other
expenses may be paid depending on
the state laws in which you reside.
A Child's Waiting Adoption Agency will explain all
of your options.
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Contact an agency representative
today to discuss all of the options
available to you and your child.
Please feel free to call us toll-free
anytime day or night at 1-866-YES-ADOPT.
We are available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. Private meetings
are available at the location of
your choice, over the phone, or
via e-mail.
See our Contact Page. All inquiries are
confidential and there is no obligation.
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