Considering Adoption?

Trying to decide what is best for you and your child is likely to be one of the biggest decisions of your life.

Did you know…

Adoption is the legal act of permanently placing a baby with another set of parents. An adoption can be arranged through relatives, an adoption agency or independently. Open Adoption refers to a specific type of adoption where parents who are choosing adoption for their child (also referred to as Birth Parents once the adoption plan has been finalized) identify, get to know and select the adoptive family for their child.

Open Adoption relationships include the sharing of personal information and are built on respect, honesty, trust and communication. Relationships begun through Open Adoption often have continued contact, which can include: sharing letters/updates, pictures, phone calls/emails/texts and get-togethers. Open adoptions are not all the same and depend on the individual wishes of both the birth and adoptive parents. Birth parents can decide on a level of openness or ongoing contact that suits their individual style. Lutheran Social Service honors wishes for confidentiality.

Open adoption offers life-long benefits for the child, as well as his/her birth and adoptive families. Children grow up without secrets, are in touch with their roots and fully aware of the love that went into their adoption plan. Birth parents are in control of the adoption planning process and get to select which family and level of ongoing contact is right for them. They also can remain involved in their child’s life while having the ability to continue on with their personal goals and life planning. Adoptive parents enter into parenthood with a better understanding of who their child is and whom they can go to for more information.

Lutheran Social Service believes strongly in the benefits of Open Adoption. With 100+ years of experience with adoption, Lutheran Social Service Pregnancy Services Social Workers can expertly assist anyone interested in learning more about adoption as well as help people who already know they want to make an adoption plan navigate through the process.

Decision-Making Checklist: Adoption

Who Chooses Adoption?

Teens, women, men, couples and families of all ages and in all kinds of life situations choose adoption. There is no one specific type of person who chooses adoption for their child(ren).

Some recent facts about those who have made adoption plans at Lutheran Social Service include:

• Age range of pregnant clients who have sought pregnancy services: 12 years to 52 years
• Average age of Lutheran Social Service Pregnancy Services clients: 24 years
• Average age of Lutheran Social Service clients who chose adoption: 24 years
• Percentage of clients who chose adoption while parenting other children: 55%

Pregnancy Services Social Workers have the ability to connect current Pregnancy Services clients with past clients who have chosen adoption or parenting to talk and get added support. If interested, you can discuss this option with your Pregnancy Services Social Worker.

What is the Adoption Planning Process for People who choose adoption for their child(ren)?

If you decide that adoption is best for you and your child, your Pregnancy Services Social Worker will help you with the following:

• Answer any and all questions you have regarding making an adoption plan
• Help you prepare a non-identifying Social Medical History Form for your baby. This legally required document will be supplied to the family you choose.
• Help you consider the type of adoptive families you would like to explore and view profiles and read home studies of Lutheran Social Service prospective adoptive families that YOU identify.
• Help you prepare for and have a meeting with the prospective adoptive family or families you have identified to potentially parent your child.
• YOU select the family that you feel is just right for your baby.
• After choosing a specific family to parent your child, you and your worker will meet with the chosen family to discuss the pregnancy, the delivery and the future communication (pictures, letters, visits, calls, e-mails, etc.). A Birth Plan and Cooperative Agreement will be completed with the selected adoptive family.
• Once the baby arrives - Your worker will visit with you during your hospital stay and make sure you are still comfortable with your plan and assist with any new considerations or decisions.
• Your worker will discuss with you all of the options you have during this entire process.
• When you are ready to finalize your adoption plan, your worker will assist you with the legal paperwork required. Your Social Worker will explain each document to you and ensure you understand the process.
• Your worker will remain available to you for support and assistance for as long or as short as you request as you adjust to your adoption plan.

* Lutheran Social Service Pregnancy Services is available to all people any time before birth AND after *
* Clients who utilize our services are encouraged to involve ANYONE they would like in their decision making/adoption planning process (e.g. the father of the baby, a family member(s), special friend(s)…etc.) *

What is the process that potential adoptive families go through?

Families that choose Lutheran Social Service Adoption Services have made the decision, and are committed to, taking part in an Open Adoption Relationship. Women, men, couples and families of all ages and in all kinds of life situations choose to expand their family’s through adoption for lots of different reasons. Having lots of different families available ensures that people who are choosing adoption for their child are able to find the adoptive family that feels perfect for them.

Families that are available as prospective adoptive families through Lutheran Social Service have completed the following, amongst other requirements:

• Participate in required Open Adoption specific training seminars
• Prospective Adoptive Families must pass various state and federal back ground checks
• Complete, and be approved, by an adoption Social Worker who completes a comprehensive Home Study of the prospective adoptive family. (The Home Study is a large document that details specific information regarding the family; including: information on their childhood, Education, Employment, Religious Affiliation, Medical…etc.)
• Complete post-placement legal requirements and participate in supervision with the family’s adoption worker
• Complete the legal requirements needed to finalize the adoption

To learn more about the Adoption program for prospective adoptive families, you can click on the Lutheran Social Service Adoption link below.

LSS Adoption
Birth Parent Stories
Father's Rights