First make contact with our adoptive parent coordinator who will discuss in detail the general process of adopting. There will probably be several discussions since there is a lot of information about adoption that we need to make sure you know about. We will also send you a packet of general information about adoption when you complete the questionnaire on the Contact Us page.

Once you feel you have all of the information you need to know, the next step is to register with our agency. Then, the adoption coordinator will contact you regarding the next step of your adoption process.

Once you have completed approved "Home Study" we will place you on our list of waiting parents. However you will need to create your profile as soon as possible and get that to us so we can present you to possible birth mothers. We will provide you with instructions on how to create your profile or you can have your profile created professionally.

Then comes the waiting

We understand that waiting is difficult for you. It will be important for you to build a support system for yourself during this process. You may want to join or start an adoption support group. Talking to others who have gone through the process, and have a positive outlook on their adoption can be very helpful.

A word of warning: Since adoption is so difficult often people who have had bad experiences become bitter about what they go through. Maybe they even give up on adoption before they successfully adopt and they are really angry. You can find all sorts of people on the internet that can be helpful and hurtful. Unfortunately the internet has become a source for people to vent their feelings publicly but in an anonymous way. Being anonymous gives people the leisure to say whatever they want, even if it is not true and often they are speaking from emotion and not based on fact. These people are usually very hurt and angry about the adoption process. In their pain they seek comfort by saying very negative things about adoption. Unfortunately they do not realize the pain and fear they are causing other people in the adoption process. If you can find a positive site to be involved in with other adoptive parents then we encourage you to get involved, but if the comments begin to be negative then you need to stay away. This type of support only plays into the fears that every adoptive parent experiences during this process.

MATCH!

When your profile is selected by a birth mother or when the agency gets the chance to select you, we will call you right away. We will discuss the birth mother's situation with you. We will tell you what her medical history is, what she wants out of the adoption relationship with you and if she has any expenses. You will receive the information you need to make a decision on whether you want to match with this birthmother or not. If you do not feel comfortable with the situation we have offered you then you can pass on the offer and wait for the next situation. There are so many scenarios and what might be right for one client is not always right for another.

If you do decide to match with the birth mother then you will be assigned to an adoption coordinator. This coordinator will be the liaison between you and the birth mother. She will arrange any communication that goes on and she will be available to you when the birth mother goes into labor. Our adoption coordinators will assist you while you are at the hospital and until we know you are safely home with your child. During this process the agency will be working on the termination of parental rights of both the birth mother and birth father.

We hope to continue our relationship with you after your child is placed by continuing to be a communicator between you and the birth parents. This on-going communication is usually carried out by you sending pictures and updates to us that we pass on to the birth parents. Each adoption plan can be unique so the relationship you have with the birth parents can be very different. We will assist you in any way we can with post-communication.