Are all Colorado Adoption Agencies the Same?
By Staren Henry
When trying to figure out the adoption process, birth mothers can feel bombarded with information. You may be worried that you will make a mistake or that adoption may not be the right step. That’s a lot to handle on top of an already stressful, possibly unwanted, or unplanned pregnancy. Many birth mothers do not know that all adoptions and adoption agencies are not the same. That’s why finding and relying on the right agency can greatly reduce adoption anxiety. Making sure that you find a licensed, accredited, and experienced agency like Adoption Choices of Colorado can give you all the tools you need to place your baby for adoption. That’s where we come in! Our mission is to do all that we can to make the process as easy as possible for you, the birth mother, to understand.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Understanding Private Adoption vs. Public Adoptions
Private adoptions are done voluntarily through the choice of the birth parent and are done through a licensed Adoption agency. This allows them to choose the type of adoption and adoptive family they want to place their child with. Birth parents can also work with agencies that match their beliefs, such as Christian adoption agencies. Public adoptions, or foster care, do not allow this same freedom of choice when creating an adoption plan. It is state-funded and is usually the result of a child being taken by child services.
Also, private adoptions have the bonus of receiving extra support options from your agency. Adoption Choices of Colorado has an experienced, committed staff that will help you find the additional resources you may need throughout your adoption. We may offer medical care, financial compensation, or counseling. Birth parents will also be able to choose from a selection of adoptive families already screened by our agency. This allows the birth mother to be confident in a compatible match. Adoption Choices of Colorado will also handle the legal side of things, so you don’t have to be an expert in Colorado adoption laws to be sure you’re on the right track.
What to Look for in an Adoption Agency
A licensed agency is both reputable and reliable and can officially help you create your adoption plan. This is a general rule and does not just apply to adoptions in Colorado. Secondary things to look out for are if there is easily accessible information online about the agency or if you’ve heard of them before. This can ensure that the adoption agency is accredited and has up-to-date information. Also, be sure that the agency you are working with is made up of educated professionals with experience. Information about credentials can usually be found on an agency’s “About Us” page.
It is also important that you check the resources that Adoption agencies will offer to birth parents before, during, and after the placement of their child. Even if they do not offer the services themselves, they should be able to assist you in finding the proper resources for the adoption process. They should also respond to you promptly and be knowledgeable on the topic of adoption. During such an emotional process, you shouldn’t have to settle for less than human care.
In the end, you should only work with an agency you can trust! Adoption Choices of Colorado is a licensed, nonprofit adoption agency with your best interest at heart. You are more than a cog in the machine to us, and our adoption experts will professionally assist you with placing your baby for adoption. Our drive to serve birth mothers and do what’s best for you and your child sets us apart from other agencies.
We at Adoption Choices of Colorado are Here to Help
Here’s something you may not have expected. Our organization has many employees who are birth parents, adoptive parents, or adoptees themselves! This is more than just a job for us, and we are committed to making sure that the adoption process is as comfortable and rewarding for both mother and child as possible. We see you, and we understand the delicate emotions and factors at play while you make this important decision.
Putting your child up for adoption is not giving up your baby. It is a difficult and responsible decision that shows you want to give your child the best life possible. Let Adoption Choices of Colorado make adoption a reality for you. Remember, the adoption process does not become final until you officially sign away your parental rights. Unlike public adoptions, private adoptions allow the birth mother to opt in or opt out voluntarily. You deserve to feel like you are in complete control of the placement of your child. We treat birth mothers with dignity and respect and are happy and ready to help at any time.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
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!