ICWA and Placing My Native American Baby Up for Adoption in Colorado
If you are considering putting your baby up for adoption in Colorado, during your research, you may have come across the terms ICWA and the Indian Child Welfare Act. Now, you must be wondering what these terms mean and especially what they mean for your baby. These terms, their meanings, the requirements, and extensive research can be quite stressful. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we want to provide our birth mothers with an adoption process that can be as stress-free as possible. That’s why we try to break down what ICWA can mean for you and your baby as you consider the Colorado adoption process.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
What is the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)?
Let’s begin by diving into understanding what the Indian Child Welfare Act or ICWA really is. Essentially the Indian Child Welfare Act is intended to promote the stability and security of Native American Tribes and families. The ICWA has set Federal standards that especially serve to protect Native American children. The ICWA does not solely focus on or is intended solely for adoption purposes, but it also provides guidance to States regarding handling child abuse and neglect. But for our purposes, we will be focussing on the adoption aspect.
As a birth mom, you are probably worried about your baby’s unique identity erasure when the baby is placed for adoption. If that’s the case, then don’t worry. The act also keeps in mind that the placement of Native American children by way of ICWA occurs in a way that reflects the unique values of Native American culture.
What are Your Adoption Options in Denver, CO?
At Adoption Choices of Colorado, birth moms are the main focus throughout your entire adoption options Denver, CO. From planning the adoption to the placement of your baby, and even after you’ve placed your baby up for adoption. Adoption Choices of Colorado will be there for you every step of the way. “But why should I consider putting my baby up for Adoption with Adoption Choices of Colorado?” Well, there are many reasons to consider child adoption in Colorado with our agency!
For starters, we assure that our birth moms are in control of their Colorado adoption plan. When you sit down with one of our compassionate caseworkers, they listen to your needs and requirements and work around them. All you have to do at this stage is remain flexible regarding your decisions, as they can change during and after the adoption process. You should also remain patient and try not to rush during the planning process because such a big decision should be made with ample time to process each decision along the way.
Another great reason to choose us as your Colorado adoption agency are the range of adoptive families. When you are considering adoptive families to place your child with, you’ll be met with a wide range of families to choose from. We work with LGBT couples, single parents, as well as traditional and non-traditional families. You will surely find the perfect family for your baby! Our team has the research and expertise that will help you reach the best decision possible for your baby.
Unable to Decide Whether You Should be Putting Your Baby up for Adoption?
If you are going back and forth on your decision regarding adoption, don’t worry. It’s absolutely normal to consider then re-consider your options and decisions. Adoption Choices of Colorado will never force you to make a certain decision about your baby’s adoption. But something to keep at the back of your mind is the possible reasons one can consider adoption and the benefits of this to your baby.
Reasons to consider putting your baby up for adoption can look like simply not being ready to be a parent. It can also be not wanting to have an abortion or not being able to afford to raise a baby, being too young or old to have a baby, wanting to focus on your education or career, and/or simply not wanting a baby. All of these reasons are absolutely valid reasons to consider adoption. The biggest benefit to your baby as a way of considering adoption is that it will be able to be placed into a welcoming home with a loving and caring family. If birth moms were to keep their children and adoption wasn’t an option, many children would be deprived of the love and care they have found with their adoptive families. Be proud because you, as a birth mom, are providing a better life for your child.
Looking for Adoption Agencies in Colorado?
You’ve found the best one! At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we strive to provide birth moms with the utmost comfortable adoption process. Suppose you look to place your Native American baby up for adoption but are worried about the difficult process. Our adoption agency will be able to guide you through that process efficiently. With our expertise, we would be able to provide your baby with a loving adoptive family by keeping all IWCA requirements in mind. If this sounds like you, then you shouldn’t wait any longer. Contact us today, and we’ll get you started on your adoption journey right away!
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.
Meet the author: Ifrah Mohammed. Pursuing a Communications-Journalism Bachelor’s degree at Siena College, she is an aspiring content writer. A hard-working daughter of immigrant parents, she was born and raised in Queens, NY, and has resided in Fort Worth, TX. Her passions include writing and traveling. Moving around has allowed her to gain valuable perspective. When she is not writing or traveling, she is baking or reading. She currently resides in
Schenectady, NY, a town 30 minutes away from Albany.
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!