Choosing to create an adoption plan for your child is a difficult decision and it may seem even harder to find an adoption agency that will support your goals and beliefs as you navigate the adoption process. Finding adoptive families that are a good fit for you, working with a reputable agency, and getting assistance during your pregnancy is important.
Creating an Adoption Plan
You will want to find an adoption agency with reputable and licensed adoption professionals to help you create an adoption plan. Childwelfare.gov offers many resources regarding what a plan entails and what you should prepare for, including: identifying what questions you’d like to ask prospective adoptive parents if you’d like an open, semi-open, or closed adoption, and overall, what you envision your role will be in your child’s life. This can be tricky and ensuring that you have an agency that will walk you through these steps, ensuring that your best interest and that of your child are in the forefront through the process. For more information on creating an adoption plan, click here.
Finding a place where you feel comfortable
You need to ensure that whatever agency you choose, you feel comfortable with the staff, and their procedures, and that your questions are being answered. It can be overwhelming to meet with new people under such circumstances, so if you don’t feel like it’s the right place for you, don’t feel bad seeking another agency.
Search for an Agency that can offer Counseling and Support
Counseling and support are critical needs for many birth parents, so make sure that whether you think you need those services or not, they’re provided. Depending on how your adoption progresses, you may need more resources than you thought, from the opportunity to speak with a social worker, participate in groups, and more. If the agency doesn’t have these services but you really feel like it’s a fit for you, be sure to ask where you can get counseling or speak to someone more candidly should you need it at any time.
Ensure that there are Resources for you that They Can Connect you With
Though most adoption agencies have their own resources in-house, it’s important to ask about other resources in your community. There are often support groups, grief counselors, etc. that are local to you to help you through this process. This is also a great way to meet with other birth parents who have been in your situation to ask questions and learn from. Make sure to always ask what is available to you so that you have the most support that you can get.
Search for local resources like these.
Do you get to engage with adoptive parents?
Another important aspect of adoption agencies is whether or not you have the opportunity to connect with prospective parents. Can you meet them? Do you have the opportunity to ask them questions? Do you have access to parent profiles? If you don’t get to engage with people who could be the parents of your child, you may want to find an agency that will let you hold the reins in this part of the adoption process.
If you feel coerced, it might not be a good fit for you
Reputable adoption agencies are there for you. Whether you choose to follow through with an adoption plan or if you choose to parent, adoption professionals at an agency should support you and have your best interest, as well as that of your child’s, in mind. If you are feeling pressured to create an adoption plan or have no access to resources or choosing parents for your child, you should consider finding another adoption agency to work with.
Finding an adoption agency that fits your needs and wants is important to both birth parents and adoptive parents. Make sure that you feel like your voice is being heard, and that you’re comfortable with the individuals you’ll be working with.