Private Adoption in Colorado and How It Can Benefit You
While you are researching how to put a child up for adoption, you likely will come up with many questions. You may encounter words and phrases that are unfamiliar to you, such as private adoption. Perhaps you are wondering, does private adoption mean my identity is confidential? Is private adoption the best choice for my child? Here we will provide the answer to those questions and more.
No matter where you are in your adoption journey, Adoption Choices of Colorado can help! We are your local, licensed agency experienced in providing care to birth mothers and families. With us, you will never be alone.
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 Private Adoption?
Generally, private adoption is the type you likely have been researching! It is when an adoption agency works to match an adoptive family or couple to a child. A birth mother, who is usually pregnant or has just given birth, chooses to place a baby for adoption with the agency. You may see this also referred to as domestic adoption, newborn adoption, or infant adoption.
However, a common misconception is that private adoption means the birth mother’s identity is kept confidential. This is sometimes the case, but not always. When the adoptive family does not learn the birth mother’s identity, it is called closed adoption, and we will discuss this next.
Private adoption is a common choice because it does not involve state agencies like CPS and DCFS. Instead of a child being removed from a home, a mother voluntarily gives her baby up for adoption at birth.
Levels of Openness in Adoption
There are three main types of private adoption in Colorado, sometimes called levels of openness. Closed adoption means the adoptive family does not learn the birth mother’s identity or any information about her. The birth mother will not have contact with the child after finalizing the adoption.
You also have the right to an open or semi-open adoption. In an open adoption, you are able to stay active in your child’s life. You may visit the adoptive family before finalizing the adoption.
Lastly, semi-open adoption is halfway between the two. You can still meet and select an adoptive family or adoptive parents. However, an adoption agency may organize the contact you have.
How To Choose a Private Adoption
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, private adoption may be the right choice for you. There is nothing to be ashamed of when choosing a better life for your child. Many women place their babies for adoption because they do not feel ready to parent. No matter your circumstances, we will never judge or pressure you.
The first step is to contact an agency like Adoption Choices of Colorado. Our years of experience and compassionate staff make us the right choice to guide you through your pregnancy.
Our adoption specialists will help you in creating an adoption plan. This simply is a document or list of how you would like the adoption to look. It can include your desires for an adoptive family, your financial needs, and your labor/delivery plan, as a few examples. You should make sure to have a comprehensive outline of your needs so our adoption staff knows how to best support you.
Birth Mother Benefits of a Private Adoption
When you choose private adoption as a birth mother, you are in full control of the adoption process. You are in charge of the decisions regarding your baby and your pregnancy.
One of the most important decisions you make will be selecting an adoptive family. Adoption Choices of Colorado serves many families and couples hoping to adopt.
Also, private agencies such as our Colorado Springs adoption agency are licensed to provide financial assistance to birth mothers. There is no fee or cost for birth mothers to place a child for adoption. You may be eligible to receive assistance for medical care, travel, and other related expenses.
You are also able to choose the level of openness, as explained earlier. Openness in a private adoption is up to the birth mother to decide, and it may change over time. Remember, just because the adoption is private does not mean it is confidential.
Make The Most of Your Pregnancy with Adoption Choices of Colorado
Your local adoption agency is prepared to assist you through adoption in Colorado Springs or anywhere in the state. 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!