THE ADOPTION PROCESS

When you work with The Children’s Home as your adoption agency, an experienced adoption expert will be there to help you in each step of the process. You can receive as much or as little support as you want.

Step 1:
If you decide you want to talk to an adoption professional, you can call any time at 800-961-7704, or text us at 412-736-2908. You can talk by phone or choose to set up a meeting either at The Children’s Home, at your home, or at whatever location works for you.

Step 2:
Your counselor is available to talk and meet as much, or as little as you need. If you would like, you can also talk with other birthparents from The Children’s Home, either individually or as part of our birthparent support group.

Step 3: If you choose adoption, your counselor will help you begin to develop an adoption plan for your baby. In choosing adoption you can:

• Decide the level of openness you are comfortable with, if any. Open adoption allows you to have contact with the adoptive family throughout your child’s life.
• Choose an adoptive family for your baby.
• Choose whether or not to meet the adoptive family or talk to them on the phone.
• Choose how much contact you want to have with your child as he or she grows up – whether you receive letters and pictures from your child, or choose to visit.
• Have the opportunity for many more choices in adoption, and your birthparent counselor can help you with those decisions.

If you don't choose to place your baby for adoption, we will support your decision, and we can help you find the resources you need to help you and your baby.

Step 4:
During your hospital stay the birthparent counselor will maintain contact with you by phone and will meet you when you are ready.

• You can determine how much time you want to spend with your baby and who will visit you at the hospital.
• Your counselor can talk to hospital staff to ensure your plan is followed.
  

Step 5:
If you proceed with an adoption plan, the adoption papers are not typically signed during your stay in the hospital. Your counselor will meet with you in the week(s) following your hospital stay to sign adoption papers. You are required to sign other agency papers during your stay in the hospital so the baby can be cared for by someone other than you, like an adoptive family. Your counselor will carefully explain every document before you are asked to sign it.

Step 6:
If you have decided on adoption and chosen an adoptive family, a direct placement can be made from the hospital. It’s OK if you need more time before making a final decision. The baby can come into our agency’s care and go home with one of our private foster families. This arrangement is considered short-term and allows you the time to make a permanent decision for you and your child without feeling pressure.

Step 7:
Your baby is placed with the adoptive family that you have approved and chosen. You may choose to be a part of the placement process or ask your counselor to inform you of the details. If you have decided on an open adoption, you may be hearing from the adoptive family directly or through our agency.

Step 8:
You can receive counseling and/or attend our birthparent support group for as long as you need. Our counselors will also be there if you need help as you build an open adoption relationship with your child’s adoptive family. We consider adoption to be a lifelong process and our staff will always be available to you to meet your needs.

To get started or to learn more:
Call 800-961-7704. All calls are confidential. Someone is available 24/7 to talk to you.
Text us as 412-736-2908.
Email Erika or Ranisa, our experienced counselors, to ask questions and get more information.