Is Adoption the Right Choice?
Is adoption the right choice for you and for your child? How can you make a plan that will meet your needs and your child’s needs? Here are some questions that can help you as you plan for you and your child’s future. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it can get you started in the right direction.
How can adoption be a good choice for my baby and me? If you’re not ready to be a parent, you can still give your baby the gift of life by choosing adoption.
Can I choose the family for my baby? Yes! Most agencies have many adoptive couples who have been studied and approved.
How much contact can I have with my baby after the birth and after adoption? You can spend as much time with your baby at the hospital as you choose. When you are planning your child’s adoption, you can choose an open adoption plan that allows ongoing visits, or you can choose a less open adoption that keeps you informed through letters and photos. If you prefer not to have any contact, confidential adoption is also possible.
What types of adoption plans are available for me? Open Adoption: A full open adoption is when birth parents and the adoptive family know full identifying information and there is a mutual agreement to maintain
contact throughout the child’s life so the child will continue to have a relationship with the birth parents. It is not, however, co-parenting. Once the
birth parent has relinquished their rights to the child they do not have any legal rights as to how the child will be raised. Any arrangements the adoptive family and birth parents make to continue contact is based on a trusting relationship and is not legally binding.
Openness in Adoption: Refers to various forms of communication between birth parents and adoptive parents, such as exchanging letters and pictures, meeting on a first name basis only, meeting once but not engaging in ongoing contact.
Closed Adoption: When the birth parent request that the agency choose an adoptive family for their baby, or they choose a family from agency profiles, but do not meet them. No information, except a non-identifying social/medical history, is shared with the adoptive family.
How soon after birth can my baby go to the parents I choose? The timing of your child’s placement depends on your preference, legal aspects, and the role of the birthfather. Many mothers want their baby placed with the adoptive family directly from the hospital, while other mothers choose interim care while they consider their adoption decision. Legally, the baby can be placed with the family any time after the Permanent Surrender has been signed by the birth parents. The Surrender can be signed any time after 72 hours from birth.
How much will my child know about me? Regardless of the type of adoption plan, you will want to provide a thorough social and medical history for your child. If you develop an adoption plan that includes ongoing contact, your child will know about you directly.
Does the expectant father have any rights? Both you and the expectant father have rights. If you disagree about adoption or you no longer have a relationship with him, your agency will work with him and/or the courts to determine his rights.
Can my child find me if he or she wants to search someday? Before you place your child you will complete a form called the “Ohio Laws and Materials”. This form provides you with the opportunity to either grant or deny the child identifying information about you when the child becomes an adult. This form will be kept on file with the Department of Health. When the child reaches 18, he/she may request the information with the consent of the adoptive family. He/she must be 21 to request the information individually. You may change your response as many times as you would like by filing with the Ohio Department of Health a “Denial of Release form” or an “Authorization of Release form”. (Information from Adoptions by Gentle Care)
How can I be sure that my child will be well cared for? There are standards that every prospective adoptive family must meet which are set by both the agency and the state in which they live. Families are thoroughly assessed before being approved for adoption and a caseworker will make visits to the adoptive family after placement to ensure your child’swell-being. “All prospective parents must complete a thorough home study and a series of background checks, both local and statewide and in some cases FBI checks. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has strict guidelines for every adoption agency concerning the approval of the adoptive family. In addition to these requirements agencies can impose their own requirements. Some of these requirements may include physical exams, income statements, references and completing Infant CPR. Adoption seminars are also mandated for education about adoption issues the child may face throughout their life. (Information from Adoptions by Gentle Care).
Do I need an attorney, or do I pay my agency to assist me with the adoption? In Ohio, you will not need an attorney, and most agencies provide services to you at no cost. If you do need an attorney, usually those costs are paid by the adoptive family.
Can I get help with medical and living expenses while I’m making an adoption plan? Assistance with medical and living expenses is available through many agencies. In Ohio, you can receive up to $3000 for your living expenses. Medical care related to the pregnancy is covered by insurance and the adoptive family.
Information from:
How can adoption be a good choice for my baby and me? If you’re not ready to be a parent, you can still give your baby the gift of life by choosing adoption.
Can I choose the family for my baby? Yes! Most agencies have many adoptive couples who have been studied and approved.
How much contact can I have with my baby after the birth and after adoption? You can spend as much time with your baby at the hospital as you choose. When you are planning your child’s adoption, you can choose an open adoption plan that allows ongoing visits, or you can choose a less open adoption that keeps you informed through letters and photos. If you prefer not to have any contact, confidential adoption is also possible.
What types of adoption plans are available for me? Open Adoption: A full open adoption is when birth parents and the adoptive family know full identifying information and there is a mutual agreement to maintain
contact throughout the child’s life so the child will continue to have a relationship with the birth parents. It is not, however, co-parenting. Once the
birth parent has relinquished their rights to the child they do not have any legal rights as to how the child will be raised. Any arrangements the adoptive family and birth parents make to continue contact is based on a trusting relationship and is not legally binding.
Openness in Adoption: Refers to various forms of communication between birth parents and adoptive parents, such as exchanging letters and pictures, meeting on a first name basis only, meeting once but not engaging in ongoing contact.
Closed Adoption: When the birth parent request that the agency choose an adoptive family for their baby, or they choose a family from agency profiles, but do not meet them. No information, except a non-identifying social/medical history, is shared with the adoptive family.
How soon after birth can my baby go to the parents I choose? The timing of your child’s placement depends on your preference, legal aspects, and the role of the birthfather. Many mothers want their baby placed with the adoptive family directly from the hospital, while other mothers choose interim care while they consider their adoption decision. Legally, the baby can be placed with the family any time after the Permanent Surrender has been signed by the birth parents. The Surrender can be signed any time after 72 hours from birth.
How much will my child know about me? Regardless of the type of adoption plan, you will want to provide a thorough social and medical history for your child. If you develop an adoption plan that includes ongoing contact, your child will know about you directly.
Does the expectant father have any rights? Both you and the expectant father have rights. If you disagree about adoption or you no longer have a relationship with him, your agency will work with him and/or the courts to determine his rights.
Can my child find me if he or she wants to search someday? Before you place your child you will complete a form called the “Ohio Laws and Materials”. This form provides you with the opportunity to either grant or deny the child identifying information about you when the child becomes an adult. This form will be kept on file with the Department of Health. When the child reaches 18, he/she may request the information with the consent of the adoptive family. He/she must be 21 to request the information individually. You may change your response as many times as you would like by filing with the Ohio Department of Health a “Denial of Release form” or an “Authorization of Release form”. (Information from Adoptions by Gentle Care)
How can I be sure that my child will be well cared for? There are standards that every prospective adoptive family must meet which are set by both the agency and the state in which they live. Families are thoroughly assessed before being approved for adoption and a caseworker will make visits to the adoptive family after placement to ensure your child’swell-being. “All prospective parents must complete a thorough home study and a series of background checks, both local and statewide and in some cases FBI checks. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has strict guidelines for every adoption agency concerning the approval of the adoptive family. In addition to these requirements agencies can impose their own requirements. Some of these requirements may include physical exams, income statements, references and completing Infant CPR. Adoption seminars are also mandated for education about adoption issues the child may face throughout their life. (Information from Adoptions by Gentle Care).
Do I need an attorney, or do I pay my agency to assist me with the adoption? In Ohio, you will not need an attorney, and most agencies provide services to you at no cost. If you do need an attorney, usually those costs are paid by the adoptive family.
Can I get help with medical and living expenses while I’m making an adoption plan? Assistance with medical and living expenses is available through many agencies. In Ohio, you can receive up to $3000 for your living expenses. Medical care related to the pregnancy is covered by insurance and the adoptive family.
Information from:
- Bethany Christian Services (www.bethany.org)
- Adoption by Gentle Care (www.adoptionbygentlecare.org),
- “Adoptions Raise ‘Right to Know’ Questions” (www.ohiobar.org/Pages/LawYouCanUseDetail.aspx?itemID=168)