Women with unplanned pregnancies who wish to make an adoption plan for their unborn child will be supported with an array of services to ensure a successful outcome for her and the baby.
New York State authorized adoption agencies (such as Family Connections, Inc.) are able to provide the following support services to birth mothers:
- Options Counseling: Adoption agency professionals will explore with the birth mother her options (parenting and adoption). All counseling at Family Connections is supportive and confidential. Family Connections provides balanced, impartial counseling and supports the birth mother's right to make independent decisions. Family Connections professionals will provide the birth mother with education regarding her parenting and adoption options and provide her with support as she make choices for her and her child.
- Supportive Counseling: The birth mother will be offered counseling services prior to and after she places the child for adoption. This counseling should be provided by independent counselors without any interests in the adoption plan.
- Matching with Adoptive Parents: Adoption agencies have a listing of approved adoptive families who are waiting to adopt a child. The agency will provide the birth mother with profiles of adoptive parents who meet her criteria as an adoptive family (e.g. religion, education, location, etc). The birth mother may chose a family from those profiles or meet a couple of families before making her decision on a family. Click Here to view families waiting to adopt with Family Connections, Inc.
- Medical Referral: If the birth mother does not have a doctor, the adoption agency will refer her to OB/GYN physicians in her area that are supportive of adoption.
- Medical Insurance: If the birth mother does not have medical insurance, the adoption agency will help her secure insurance. If the birth mother has any medical co-pay expenses, uncovered medical expenses, or over-the-counter medicine, the adoptive parents of the child will be required to pay those expenses.
- Transportation: Birth mothers who need transportation to and from doctor's appointments and the hospital will be able to rely on the adoption agency for a ride or to provide them with bus or taxi money for them to be able to get to their appointments.
- Maternity Clothing: Birth mothers (if wanted) may be provided with maternity clothing (usually through a gift card) by the adoption agency. The adoptive parents will be responsible for the clothing expense.
- Food: If the birth mother needs food to ensure her health and the health of the unborn baby, the adoptive parent may be able to provide her with groceries.
- Housing: A birth mother who does not have housing can ask the adoption agency to help her find appropriate housing. If the birth mother does not have the money to pay for housing, in New York State, the adoptive parents may be asked to pay for 2 months prior and one month post adoption depending upon the situation of the birth mother.
- Legal Services: Every birth mother should be represented by a lawyer to make sure her rights are understood and protected. The birth mother chooses the attorney. If the birth mother does not have a lawyer or needs assistance finding a lawyer, the adoption agency will refer her to qualified lawyers in her community. Most lawyers who specialize in adoption are members of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, a national professional organization for adoption lawyers.
- Post Adoption Contact Agreement: For birth mothers who choose to have a Post Adoption Contact Agreement with the adoptive family (a legal agreement for on-going contact), the adoption agency will ensure that the agreement is honored. The agency may also help facilitate the contact, for example sending the birth mother pictures and letters or scheduling an annual visit between the birth mother and adoptive family.
Family Connections, Inc. provides all services to the birth mother for Free. All expenses are supported by the adoption agency and adoptive parents.
To learn more about services available to birth mothers, please contact Anita or Renee at Family Connections, Inc. at 1-800-535-5556 or 607-756-6574 or anita@adoptfamilyconnections.org
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