Introduction to Adoption Planning for Birth Mothers
By Sylvie Christen
Is a Colorado adoption right for you? If you have found this page, the answer might be yes. On the other hand, maybe you are experiencing an unexpected or unplanned pregnancy. Either way, you are taking a brave step by admitting you are not ready to parent.
The idea of giving a baby up for adoption at birth may sound daunting, but it does not have to be! Working with a licensed, trusted agency such as Adoption Choices of Colorado will make certain that you are satisfied with the decisions you make.
Here, we will be answering a few questions you may have about beginning the adoption process. We will be outlining what an adoption plan is and how making a plan can benefit you as a birth mother. While every birth mother is different, learning more about the process will help you decide if adoption is the right choice.
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 an Adoption Plan?
An adoption plan is simply an outline of what you want your adoption to look like. After you decide to move forward with choosing adoption, it is important to create a detailed plan. It will help your adoption specialist know exactly how to best help and support you. Putting your adoption plan in writing is a good way to keep your needs in mind throughout the process.
Your plan might include things like your wishes for an adoptive family, your financial needs, and your level of openness. If you choose open or semi-open adoption, you will be able to select an adoptive family and even meet with them. You can also decide what your hospital stay will look like and outline your needs for post-placement support.
If you do not know exactly what you want for your adoption, that is okay! Your adoption specialist will help you decide what is best for you based on your individual needs and circumstances.
In short, an adoption plan is crucial for successful adoption, but no pressure! Your adoption specialist will help ensure your private Colorado adoption is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.
How Do I Place My Child for Adoption?
The first step to place a baby for adoption in Colorado is to contact us. Adoption Choices of Colorado is your local adoption agency available to call, text, or visit. Or, we can come to you anywhere in the state!
Our adoption specialists are prepared to meet with you and discuss creating an adoption plan. An adoption specialist is one of our staff members trained in advocating for and supporting birth mothers.
Is Adoption in Colorado Hard?
In short, yes. Adoption is a long legal process that requires a lot of important decisions.
With a newborn adoption, you may experience feelings of loss, sadness, and regret. This is a completely normal and understandable part of the process. Your adoption specialist will be there for you to listen and offer resources.
However, adoption does not have to be a negative experience! We understand that an unplanned pregnancy can be a hardship. This is why we are committed to easing your burden and helping make adoption a positive experience for everyone involved. It will be worthwhile!
Who Can Help Me During the Adoption Process?
Your adoption specialist will be available to you at all times. They are experts who can explain any aspect of the adoption process to you, from legal terms to how to choose an adoptive family. Even if you are unsure now of how to put up a child for adoption, your adoption specialist can help. They even can accompany you to the hospital while you are giving birth.
We offer post-placement support groups for birth mothers, and individual counseling is available to you at any point. Our services are available at no cost to you, and private adoption is always free. Adoption Choices of Colorado also provides financial assistance and can help with a safe place to stay during your pregnancy.
Contact us now to learn more about how we can help with your Colorado Springs adoption!
Learn More About Private Adoption in Colorado
You have found the agency best experienced in adoption in Colorado Springs and all over the state! Remember that you are making a brave decision for yourself and your child by choosing adoption.
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!