Choosing to place your baby for adoption may be one of the most difficult decisions you’ve ever made. You deserve to work with an adoption agency that understands the weight of this decision and has your best interests at heart. If you’ve made this decision and are searching for an agency you can trust, these five questions can help you learn more about the agency, their process, and whether or not you feel comfortable partnering with them for your adoption.
1. Does Your Adoption Agency Offer Counseling Services?
Finding out you’re pregnant is not always an exciting and joyful experience. Depending on your situation, this discovery can leave you feeling scared, embarrassed, and alone. Counseling is a great way to work through these emotions and learn what options you have moving forward. Ask the agency if they offer counseling services. If the answer is yes, ask what qualifications their professionals have. It’s also important to ask how long these services are available to you.
St. Elizabeth Foundation understands how overwhelming an unplanned pregnancy can be. We offer free, confidential counseling 24/7 at our local Louisiana adoption agency, available before you choose to adopt with us, throughout your adoption process, and even after the adoption is finalized. Our licensed social workers are here for you as long as you need us.
2. Will I Be in Control of the Adoption Plan?
In some ways, an unplanned pregnancy can feel like a loss of control — but choosing adoption can put that power back in your hands. The adoption process can empower you to make the best choices for you and your baby, providing them with a safe and loving home while also prioritizing your needs.
Your adoption agency should put you in control of important decisions throughout the adoption process. When you reach out to an agency, find out if they let you create the adoption plan and decide on the level of openness you’re comfortable with. These are a few additional, helpful questions to ask the adoption agency:
- Will I get to choose the adoptive family?
- Can I decide between open, semi-open, or closed adoption?
- What role will I have after the baby is placed?
At St. Elizabeth Foundation, you have full control of your adoption plan, from building your birth plan to selecting the family you feel will provide the love, care, and opportunities you want for your child. Our team supports you along the way.
3. What Kind of Support Does the Adoption Agency Provide?
If you’re worried about pregnancy-related costs, your adoption agency may be able to help. Make sure to ask what types of support the agency can offer, such as:
- Financial help with living, medical, and legal expenses
- Transportation to appointments and meetings
- Help finding community resources
For example, St. Elizabeth Foundation can help with living expenses for housing, medical care, and legal fees. And, our counseling services are always free. If you already have children or choose to raise your baby, we can connect you with free resources for medical help and child care costs, too.
4. How Are Adoptive Families Screened?
Your baby deserves a safe, loving home with a family prepared for the responsibility of parenting. Before choosing an adoption agency, ask the agency about their screening process for adoptive families.
Parents who adopt through St. Elizabeth Foundation have been married for five years or more. These couples go through:
- Background checks
- An education program
- A home study
- Interviews
- And more
This information helps us know that these families can safely care for your baby. When it’s time for you to choose the family, we will show you profiles they have made so you can get to know them, their interests, and what kind of future they can offer your baby.
5. Will My Privacy Be Protected?
Privacy is important to think about when making an adoption plan. It’s okay to want your personal information kept confidential. Ask the agency how they handle your privacy and if you are free to choose the level of communication you’re comfortable with.
At St. Elizabeth Foundation, we respect your boundaries. If you want to remain anonymous, we can help you plan a closed adoption. Or if you want some connection with your baby, we can walk you through an open or semi-open adoption.
Have More Questions? St. Elizabeth Foundation Is Here to Help
Adoption is an extraordinary act of love. Finding an adoption agency you trust and feel comfortable with can make the process easier and more meaningful. If you have more questions, want to learn more about adoption, or need help exploring your options, reach out to St. Elizabeth Foundation today. We’re here with answers, counseling, and support for every step of the process. Start by calling 225-769-8888 or sending us a message online. Our doors are always open for you and your baby.