Adoption Choices is your leading full-service adoption agency serving Birth Parents and Adoptive Families across the U.S.
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We are licensed in each of these states to provide professional, full-service adoption assistance statewide. We understand that everyone faces different circumstance and has different needs.
Expectant Parents: We are here to help you make an adoption plan that meets your needs.
We know that you are seeking our help during a time of crisis, and our goal is meet your needs and address your concerns quickly and with compassion. To serve you, here are just some of the services that we provide:
- A personal counselor to provide helpful, friendly, compassionate advice and meet you exactly where you are
- Assistance with living and medical expenses during pregnancy
- Freedom to choose the adoptive family you want and design a personalized birth and adoption plan
- Consultation with an independent attorney
- We have qualified adoption counselors in your state who are waiting to serve you
Adoptive Parents: We are here to guide and support your adoption journey
We know that deciding to adopt is not an easy choice, and finding an agency to help make your adoption journey a success can be difficult. At Adoption Choices, we have helped loving families from coast to coast achieve their dream of parenthood. We will help you prepare for an adoption plan and will support you throughout the adoption process. To help you build your family, here are some of the services we provide:
- Adoption education that will clearly explain the adoption process, and help you make the adoption plan that is right for you
- Create an adoptive parent profile that will reflect your commitment to making or growing your family
- Provide a thorough home study that meets state and interstate requirements
- Full-service adoption placement
- Post adoption support to guide you through the legal process of making a permanent addition to your family
We work with parents in almost every state to help you grow your families.
COMMON BIRTH PARENT QUESTIONS
Why choose adoption?
When facing an unplanned pregnancy, adoption is a positive alternative and one that we encourage you to consider along with your other options. There is no set structure for an adoption, instead we work to ensure that your adoption plan fits your wants and needs as a birth mother and is in the best interest both you and the baby.
Who will help me to understand my decision to place my child for adoption?
The decision to choose adoption is not an easy one to make on your own. Although it may be a difficult and painful choice, we will be there to provide support, including counseling if you would like.
Can I choose the adoptive family of my child?
Yes, you have the option of approving the parents who will be adopting your baby. Each family makes a picture profile, which is a mini-scrap book that tells you about their lives. The profiles we will present to you are filled with photos of the family, their vacations, their home and lots more. It will also include a “Dear Birth Mother” letter that addresses other frequently asked questions such as their likes and dislikes, hobbies, etc…
How do I know the adoptive family will provide a safe environment in which to raise my child?
All of our prospective adoptive parents go through extensive background checks. Case workers meet them in their homes to interview them. The couples are required to provide a State Bureau of Investigation report and a child abuse clearance report as well as birth certificates, a copy of their marriage license, physician’s reports that include HIV test results, etc… Adoptive families are carefully screened.
Can the agency help me with living expenses if I am unable to work?
The agency will provide court approved living expenses to birth mothers who need the help. We understand how difficult it is to get back on your feet and return to work after delivering a baby.
What are the levels of openness in adoption?
Semi-Open Adoption: In a Semi-Open Adoption, birth parents and adoptive parents usually meet prior to the birth of the child, and the adoptive parents are often times present for the birth. After placement, communication, such as pictures, texting, phone calls, letters and emails, may occur. Last names and addresses of both parties are not disclosed, unless otherwise agreed upon by the birth parents and adoptive parents. This type of adoption allows for communication between the birth parents and adoptive parents while also maintaining some privacy. Keep in mind, the level of openness is always changing and shifting throughout the adoption and after placement; relationships change as time goes on.
Confidential (Closed) Adoption: In a Closed Adoption, there is no contact between birth parents and adoptive parents, with the exception of the birth parents’ non-identifying social/medical information that is provided to the adoptive parents. This type of adoption is rare in private adoption situations due to social media and the internet.
COMMON ADOPTIVE PARENT QUESTIONS
What is the wait time before a baby is placed in our home?
Do you place with single parents?
We welcome single parents that are hoping to adopt. Adoption Choices doesn’t discriminate based on marital/partner status. Many times we find that birth parents are open to seeing profiles for single parents. We encourage birth parents to choose the best family for their baby including single parents.
Do you work with LGBT applicants?
Adoption Choices has been proudly assisting lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) families with the gift of adoption since we opened our doors in 2002. Our agency is honored that you have chosen to gather more information on us and our services.
The home study process and the application process is the same for all those applying with our agency. The LGBT applicants should present themselves, in their profile books, to birth parents just as any other applicants would. You should show birth parents that no matter your sexual orientation, the baby would be joining a loving, responsible family. Show your home, your family and friends, your hobbies and interests and do not be afraid to show your relationship with your significant other.
If you would like to see some statistics and research on LGBT adoptions, please go to: https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/cultural/adoption/gay_lesbian.cfm
How long does it take to complete the home study?
Do you provide home studies for couples working with out-of-state adoption agencies for placement, either domestically or internationally?
What are the levels of openness in adoption?
Semi-Open Adoption: In a Semi-Open Adoption, birth parents and adoptive parents usually meet prior to the birth of the child, and the adoptive parents are often times present for the birth. After placement, communication, such as pictures, texting, phone calls, letters and emails, may occur. Last names and addresses of both parties are not disclosed, unless otherwise agreed upon by the birth parents and adoptive parents. This type of adoption allows for communication between the birth parents and adoptive parents while also maintaining some privacy. Keep in mind, the level of openness is always changing and shifting throughout the adoption and after placement; relationships change as time goes on.
Confidential (Closed) Adoption: In a Closed Adoption, there is no contact between birth parents and adoptive parents, with the exception of the birth parents’ non-identifying social/medical information that is provided to the adoptive parents. This type of adoption is rare in private adoption situations due to social media and the internet.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!