Adoption Process for Expectant Parents
This is where we explain the whole process to birth/expectant mothers; this is an option steeped in love. We understand the overwhelming emotions surrounding this adoption as an option decision. FAC provides emotional support starting with your very first call. We discuss the adoption option and meet with you personally to ensure you feel comfortable with your decision. We gauge your comfort level every step of the way, to make sure we are supportive through the process. FAC provides financial support as well from once you enroll to help with food and personal items in order to keep you and your baby healthy and provided for.
As a birth/expectant mother, you do not have to personally contact the birth father unless you desire to do so. FAC has the ability to communicate all legal rights and necessary paperwork to birth fathers on your behalf. FAC staff meet with birth mothers weekly (and fathers if applicable) and have additional phone contact at any time to keep everyone up to date and informed of all aspects of the adoption process.
You are not responsible for finding a forever home for your child; we have an extensive waiting list of families who have completed mandatory homes studies, background checks, and rigorous interviews. When the birth mother or family is ready to be matched with an adoptive family for their child FAC develops a birth family summary with the background history of the pregnancy. FAC facilitates communication between all parties until the birth of the baby; at that time the group is referred to an openness counselor to help build a lasting and supportive relationship.
The Process: Within the process, birth/expectant parents will be asked to communicate with the agency regarding background history about medical conditions, criminal history, and substance abuse history. FAC will provide supportive services to help birth families to become more stable by seeking out housing and employment opportunities. Within the program, FAC will help birth mother/parents sign up for pregnancy Medicaid, WIC, prenatal care, treatment programs, and any and all other aspects that may help with future stability such as social security income, vocational rehabilitation, or placement in shelters. FAC will provide transportation to and from prenatal care appointments, as well as to the hospital for birth. Staff are available to be at the hospital with birth mother/parents that do not have an adequate support system.
Some additional resources that FAC offer are referrals to an adoption competent counselor, and life skill training that includes budgeting, nutrition, and positive relationships. FAC typically helps birth parents with housing, food, employment opportunities, education opportunities, transportation, clothing, personal items, etc.
FAC will help birth/expectant parents develop a plan for the hospital and will help navigate the adoption process with the hospital social worker and nursing staff. Typically, the necessary consent forms are signed at the hospital 48 hours after the birth of the baby; as long as the baby is healthy, they then depart the hospital with the adoptive parents that the birth parents have chosen. Birth/expectant mothers/parents choose who is at the hospital during the birth which may or may not include the adoptive parents. Birth mothers/parents may choose to spend time with the baby while at the hospital prior to departure.
When the hospital records the birth, the birth mother/parents are able to name the child; please be aware that in many cases, the name of the child will change once the finalization of the adoption has occurred. The child by law must be placed with the adoptive parents for a minimum of 90 days with monthly supervision visits by a licensed social worker before the court will finalize the adoption. Once finalized the attorney will request a new birth certificate with the adopted name. Many birth families discuss names prior to the birth, and it is not uncommon for the names to be mutually decided upon.
Post-birth and once the baby has been taken home by the adoptive family, by law, FAC is able to provide up to six weeks of financial support to the birth mother/family. FAC is committed to providing a lifetime of emotional support to all our birthparents and adoptive parents.
#FloridaAdoptionCenter #VoicesofLove #Lovemakesadifference