Do I Get Paid to Put My Baby Up for Adoption in Colorado?
By Kyla Helwig
You are facing an unplanned pregnancy. You aren’t able to be a mother right now, but you want to be able to provide for your baby. If you are in this situation right now, adoption might be for you. Through adoption, you will be able to provide your baby with a home and family. You can even stay involved in your baby’s life in some cases. Here at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we understand that it’s not easy to choose adoption. Some birth mothers may wonder if they can receive compensation for putting their baby up for adoption. Although receiving outside income may be desirable for struggling women, getting paid for adoption is illegal. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we want to explain why we can’t pay you for adoption. Additionally, we want to tell you why you should still consider adoption anyway.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Why Is Adoption Compensation Illegal?
In short, receiving money in exchange for a child is unethical. No matter what state you carry out adoption in, receiving compensation for a child will be illegal. Human life is priceless, and putting a price tag on your child diminishes their worth. Although you may be struggling financially, selling your baby is not a good way for you to make money. Ultimately, receiving compensation for adoption is a form of human trafficking. There are plenty of ways to make money that don’t involve buying and selling children. For more information speak to your adoption specialist or legal adviser.
What If I’m Struggling Financially During Pregnancy?
If you are facing financial difficulties during your pregnancy, Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to help. Although you can’t receive payment for your child’s adoption, you can receive support from adoption agencies. There are many adoption agencies in Colorado to choose from to provide you with pregnancy support. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we provide birth mothers with financial support throughout their pregnancy. If you are struggling to provide for pregnancy-related expenses, reach out to a birth mother counselor to get help. In addition, you may be eligible for financial support from the state. The counselor you are working with will determine your need level and work to get you to support as soon as possible.
What Adoption Resources Are Available?
When you partner with Adoption Choices of Colorado, there are a few adoption services that you will receive. One resource is your adoption counselor. Throughout your adoption, you will have questions and decisions to make. Your counselor will be there to guide you through the process and provide wisdom. Some decisions will be tough, so receiving outside input will benefit. Additionally, all counselors are very familiar with adoption and how it works. Therefore, they are well equipped to provide you with information and advice.
Another resource our agency provides is post-placement counseling. After your baby has been placed with their adoptive parents, you may feel strong emotions. The whole adoption process is taxing and can cause some mental health issues. If you find yourself struggling mentally after your child’s placement, we are here to help. We provide birth mothers with individual and group therapy from trained professionals. We hope you will find a community at Adoption Choices of Colorado that you can trust.
Another resource that can assist you financially is our agency’s housing support. If you are homeless or can’t pay rent, our agency can assist you during your pregnancy. Having a safe living environment during pregnancy is essential, and we want to help you out. We will cover your rent during pregnancy and up to six weeks after delivery. Additionally, your counselor will be there to assist you with transportation and other assistance while you are pregnant.
How Do I Get Started On Adoption in Colorado?
If you are interested in pursuing adoption, your first step will be to make the difficult decision. It’s hard to deal with pregnancy, but once you decide to pursue adoption, our agency can help you out. Your adoption counselor will guide you through each step of the process and clear up confusion. 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!