Beginning the process

Birthparents will generally contact Adoption Connection before the birth of their child for assistance in making an adoption plan.  They will be screened for their need for counseling, medical care, housing and other financial assistance, any medical risks with their personal situation and other matters related to planning for their child’s adoption.  They decide what type of adoption they want (open, closed or semi-open) and how involved they wish to be in the selection of the adoptive family for their child.  Adoptive parents provide the agency with a non-identifying “profile” which includes a non-identifying introductory letter to the birthparents and some photographs. The matching process usually begins with birthparents reviewing such profiles.  Sometimes families are selected on the basis of their profile information only.  Some birthparents wish to actually meet prospective adoptive parents before choosing a family. 

 Once selected, the family may have some, frequent or no contact with the birthparents before the child is actually born.  The birthparents may invite the family to be present at the hospital or they may choose to spend that time privately with the child themselves. Some birthparents wish to physically place their child into the adoptive parents’ arms.  Others prefer to leave the hospital prior to the child’s discharge.  The actual placement of the child may be into a temporary care home or directly with the adoptive parents pending the termination of parental rights process, depending on the wishes of the parties.  Placement of the child with its intended family prior to termination is commonly referred to as an “at risk” or “legal risk” placement because birthparents have certain opportunities to change their mind about their adoption plan prior to entry of a final termination order. Adoption Connection will assist adoptive families in developing their profile, and may recommend ongoing pre-adoptive education on various adoption issues. Close contact is maintained by our trained adoption specialists with the Birthparents and Adoptive parents during the entire process.