Colorado Adoption Agency Support After Adoption Placement
By Kaitlyn Chrisemer
Many people don’t anticipate the difficulties that can come up after adoption placement. People are often so caught up in the adoption process and adoption plan that they don’t think of the aftermath. Since the adoption pregnancy is so intense, the post-birth portion of this journey may be neglected.
The adoption journey doesn’t end once the adoption is finalized. Your life will continue to be influenced by this decision, possibly for the rest of your life. However, this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. You can accept your decision and allow yourself to feel everything you need without shame or guilt. Remember that giving up a baby for adoption isn’t giving up. Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to help you with every part of your adoption journey, including after adoption finalization.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
When to Reach Out for Adoption Help
Deciding when to reach out can be difficult. Maybe you’re sad and struggling but aren’t sure it’s worth bringing up. You might feel ashamed for thinking you need help. If you think you can get through this time alone, that’s great. However, don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re struggling and need help. Adoption Choices of Colorado provides judgment-free help at any point in your adoption journey. Even if it’s been a while since your adoption finalization, and you’re just beginning to feel the effects, we’ll help. Everyone’s adoption journey is different, and every individual is unique. So never feel bad about asking for help if you find yourself struggling after the adoption placement.
Therapy and Adoption Counseling
Our adoption agencies in Colorado offer counseling and therapy after placement and throughout the adoption process. If you think you would benefit from professional help, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can connect you with a counselor to discuss your feelings about your adoption.
Whether you had a closed adoption or open adoption, there are different challenges to both. Our counselors can offer specialized therapy, personalized and catered to your situation and needs. We never want you to feel like we only care about finalizing the adoption. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we truly care about your well-being. We want what is best for you, whatever you decide that is.
Our adoption agencies can also direct you to group counseling sessions. If you are experiencing strong feelings of grief after your adoption finalization, a group therapy meeting may help. You’ll connect with other people who have gone through similar situations and are feeling like you. This can help you feel comforted and reassured that you aren’t alone in your feelings. In addition, it can provide you with the means to validate your feelings so you can begin to process them.
Finding Financial Support During Your Adoption Journey
Adoption Choices of Colorado knows that pregnancy can present financial problems. Unfortunately, for many birth parents, financial concerns play into their decision to place the baby for adoption. If you’re feeling financial pressure and require assistance, reach out to us. We may be able to help you and relieve some of your financial stress.
We can help eligible birth mothers with rent, utilities, and food expenses. If you need help with these essentials, let us know. It’s also possible that between our agency and the adoptive family, you could also get other court-approved expenses covered. These expenses could include medical and prenatal care.
Depending on your level of need, some government-run financial assistance programs may be able to help. Each of these programs has its own requirements for eligibility. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps people in Colorado with food assistance. The Women, Infants & Children Program can also help with food assistance, nutrition education, and breastfeeding counseling. If you need financial support throughout your adoption pregnancy, reach out to us and/or one of these programs. We’re here for you.
Reaching Out to Adoption Choices of Colorado for Help
Whether you’re considering adoption, need help making a plan, or are seeking aid after adoption, we can help. Our adoption agencies can help you at any point in your adoption journey. Adoption Choices of Colorado can give you the information you need. We can help you determine the best path for you and your child. If you need help with open adoption, a closed adoption, or postpartum counseling, we can help. Our agencies are always here for you.
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!