Homeless, Pregnant, Abused and Choosing Adoption
By Kara Villarreal
If you are faced with an unplanned pregnancy in Colorado, you may be looking into gaining more information about adoption. If adoption is being considered in your situation it is important to be informed about the types of adoption in Colorado, what an adoption plan would look like, how the adoption plan will be taken into effect, and even the rights and resources available to birth parents.
There may be different and difficult circumstances that may have led to various questions, however at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we are here as a resource or even just to answer any questions that may come up when considering adoption. If you are in a difficult situation please utilize resources that you know will produce a better future.
What is the Adoption Process in Denver?
The first step when considering adoption in Colorado is understanding the adoption process. First is choosing the type of adoption and how it relates to the type of future you want to have. There are three types including:
- an open adoption, meaning both the birth parents and adoptive parents know each other and there is active communication. A semi-open adoption is limited communication, it can be through the agency or not, however this includes photos and updates.
- a closed adoption in which there is no communication.
In the adoption process you are given the choice of which type you feel the most comfortable with.
Choosing a Colorado Adoptive Family
Another big step is the ability to choose the adoptive parents which may be the most important choice in this process. Adoption Choices of Colorado allows you to view adoptive parent profiles and even can be a communicative outlet. You have the choice of what type of family you would like to be the adoptive parents which can range from religion, state, and family life.
Local Adoption Agencies Near me in Denver
If you are searching for local adoption agencies make sure you find one that makes you feel comfortable with asking difficult questions. When looking to create your adoption plan, it is important to recognize that you are the one in control. Make sure when you are considering this that you are prioritizing what is best for you and the baby. Whether that is finding aids that can help you financially and emotionally or the adoptive parents and birth plans. Consider the impact the choices you make can have on a possible selfless decision.
Adoption Resources in Colorado
If you are faced with difficult situations where assistance is necessary, Adoption Choices of Colorado can be a great resource. Resources can include and are not limited to financial assistance, housing, medical appointments and expenses, counseling for the birth parents, and assistance with the creation of birth plans. If you are needing financial assistance in this process, Adoption Choices of Colorado can advise and connect you with certain loans and grants you may be eligible for.
Financial assistance can range from grocery to transportation. Medical necessities are vital for your health and the future childs. Adoption Choices of Colorado can connect you agency physicians or even assist with scheduling if you do have a primary doctor of choice. Counseling and mental health tends to be a necessity during pregnancy and often after, along with giving a baby up for adoption.
Through state regulated agencies like Adoption Choices of Colorado, you have the right to utilize free sessions that can include one on one or even group. All these resources can be met in the areas that are most needed, these are available to help make this choice and process easier for you and even safer for the birth mother and future child.
Choosing Adoption to Place My Baby
Being in an already difficult scenario doesn’t make considering adoption any easier, in fact it makes it harder. Adoption Choices of Colorado can be a resource in general if you are just looking for answers. Be sure if you are considering this, that you take into account how it affects the journey of a safe future. It is important to keep in mind that the factors that are vital is the ability to make the choice, initially.
There are resources available to help provide the proper steps to take when looking into adoption. Keeping in mind that the assistance is available to you when necessary or needed. Most importantly, looking for the best interest of both the birth parents and the child. You have the ability to provide a loving family and safe future for your child. Once again, you are the only one who should have control in this decision, so trust your impulse.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado. Email Us or Text us at 720-371-1099. Call us: at 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!