Adoption Services: Are Open Adoptions in Colorado Better than Closed Adoptions?
By Jillian Pappas
At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we understand that an unexpected pregnancy can be a big surprise. As a result, many decisions need to be made to prepare for the future. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we have a dedicated team to help you make these decisions and prepare for your future. There are three types of adoption in Colorado. There are open adoptions, semi-open adoptions, and closed adoptions. All three types of adoption are good choices, and a birth mother needs to consider all three options before making her decision carefully.
One of the biggest questions facing birth mothers considering adoption is deciding what type of adoption they should choose. An adoption type is the type of adoption that your child will undergo. Every adoption journey is different and unique. No two adoption journeys are the same. It would be best if you decided what is best for you and your situation.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Open Adoptions
You may find yourself wondering what an open adoption in Colorado is. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, an adoption in which the birth mother remains in contact with the adoptive family and the child. Open adoption varies case by case, and no two are the same. In some open adoptions, the birth mother and the adoptive family frequently visit each other and remain in close contact. The birth mother remains in touch via phone calls or emails in other open adoptions.
Open adoptions are becoming increasingly more popular in the United States, and it’s for a good reason. The ability to grow a relationship between the birth mother and the adoptive family appeals to many. In addition, the open line of communication between the birth mother and the adoptive family can be beneficial, especially as it pertains to family health history regarding the child.
Semi-Open Adoptions
Semi-open adoption means a third party, like an adoption agency, shares information between the birth mother and parents. This type of adoption is seen as being “the best of both worlds” in adoption. It allows the birth mother to remain in contact but still keep the privacy of a closed adoption. In addition, a semi-open adoption allows the birth mother to eliminate much of the stress of the adoption journey by enabling the agency to take the lead. This takes the pressure off the birth mother and can lead to a healthy and happy pregnancy.
Closed Adoptions
The third and final adoption type is a closed adoption. A closed adoption in Colorado is adoptions in which the entire adoption process is private. This means that no contact information is shared between the birth mother and the adoptive family. Some birth mothers choose closed adoptions because of the closure that it provides. Other birth mothers choose a closed adoption because they feel it is ultimately the best decision for their child. A closed adoption is a good choice for a birth mother. It can provide the closure that an unexpected pregnancy might need.
Which Adoption Type is Best?
It’s impossible to say which adoption type is best because all adoptions are unique! What may be an excellent choice for one birth mother may not be the best choice. It’s crucial you make the decision based on your scenario. Some birth mothers choose closed adoptions and some select open adoptions. All adoption types are valid, and all of these choices are made with love.
Closed adoptions used to be extremely popular in the United States. However, much of the reason as to why is because of the stigma surrounding adoption. Nowadays, adoption can be a positive experience for all involved, whether that’s with an open adoption in which the birth mother and adoptive family remain in close contact or whether the birth mother selected a closed adoption for her child.
At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we encourage the birth mother to consider all of her options surrounding the type of adoption before making her final decision. Adoption Choices of Colorado encourages open adoption for a variety of reasons. However, we understand that the decision is ultimately your own, and we are here to support your decision every step of the way.
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!