Information for Prospective Adoptive Parents

Advocates for Adoption provides the following services to prospective adoptive parents:

1. Counseling
2. Adoption planning assistance (with alternatives offered)
3. Homestudy and Homestudy Updates
4. Adoptive Placements
5. Post-placement supervision
6. General information concerning adoption, support groups and available literature

In the event a biological parent chooses adoption for her child, the Agency may provide some or all of the following services:

• Set up an initial doctor’s visit, request specific tests, with consent of birth parent(s), (AIDS, VDRL screen, drug and alcohol screen) and supervise all subsequent medical appointments and co-ordinate services at the hospital.
• Talk with the biological parent(s) to ascertain if assistance with housing or living expenses is necessary and/or appropriate. If financial assistance is required, the biological parents will be helped to establish a budget. Any and all financial assistance is provided on a regular and timely basis in accordance with the budget plan established and the legally allowed expenses.
• Services designed to help the birth parent(s) re-establish themselves within their communities.

Upon the birth of the child the Agency will:

• Advise prospective parents of the birth and give general birth and health information.
• Establish the date and time for the relinquishment proceedings.
• Agency staff, or designated representatives, will be present at the surrender and placement.
• If the biological mother requests a meeting with adoptive parents, an Agency representative will facilitate this meeting.
• Since this is an "Agency" adoption, hospitals may not discharge the infant to the adoptive parents. However, in many cases the adoptive parents may be present at the time of discharge.

For a list of frequently asked questions about adoption, please click here.

Testimonials from adoptive parents and children are availible here.