The Adoption Process in Colorado
Are you facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering adoption? There are a lot of steps when it comes to adoption that can be hard to navigate on your own. There are a lot of prejudices when it comes to birth mothers. But there is nothing irresponsible about choosing adoption for your child and planning for their future. It is important to educate yourself on the adoption process in Colorado so you can make the best choices for yourself and your baby.
Adoption Choices of Colorado is here to tell you all about the adoption process in Colorado.
Steps to an Adoption in CO
- Choose an Adoption Center in Colorado that is Right for You
When facing an unplanned pregnancy, it is important to get support from professionals who can help you make the best decisions for you and your baby. The first step in your adoption journey is choosing an adoption agency.
There are certain things to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a good adoption agency in Colorado. You want to pick an agency that gives you freedom and control when it comes to your adoption plans while also having the resources to give you the support you need to have a successful adoption journey. You should never feel pressured by an agency into making decisions. As a birth mother, you are in control of the adoption journey, and the adoption center is there to guide you along the way.
A good adoption center like Adoption Choices of Colorado can help you create an adoption plan for you and your baby and make sure that all your financial needs are met during the adoption process so that you can focus on a healthy pregnancy.
- Choose the Type of Adoption
It is important to decide the type of adoption you feel comfortable with. When it comes to adoption, you have three options:
- Open adoption: This type of adoption means that you will have a lot of contact with your child and the adoptive family.
- Semi-open adoption: This type of adoption means that the birth mother will have limited contact with the child and the adoptive family.
- Closed adoption: This type of adoption means that you will have no contact with your child or the adoptive family once the adoption is finalized
Whatever type of adoption you choose is 100% your choice. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the adoption type. You should choose whatever option you feel is best for you and your baby.
- Choose the Adoptive Family
As a birth mother, you can take part in choosing the adoptive family if you choose. Of course, if you do not want to be a part of the process of choosing the adoptive family, Adoption Choices of Colorado will choose a loving family to adopt your child for you.
If you want to take part in choosing the adoptive family, that is an option for you. All adoptive families must go through a background check to determine if adoption is a good option for them both financially and emotionally. You will then be presented with adoptive family profiles that you can look through. These profiles will tell important things about the families and how they will raise your child. You can look for families who have certain interests, such as traveling if you want your child to be able to have those experiences. Maybe you want your child to be raised by a single parent. There are many options when it comes to choosing an adoptive family to consider.
No matter who you choose, you are sure to find a caring family that will cherish your child in every way.
- Continue with life Post Adoption
Once the adoption is over, you can continue with your life. You will always be a birth mother, and you can carry that sense of pride with you. You have made the selfless decision to ensure that your baby has a bright future, and that is nothing to be ashamed of.
Of course, Adoption Choices of Colorado understands that adoption is an emotionally taxing process which is why emotional support and counseling are available to birth mothers both during pregnancy and post-adoption. You are not alone in any part of the adoption journey. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we support our heroic birth mothers every step of the way through the adoption process.
What is Adoption Process in CO?
Going through the adoption process can seem like a daunting process. It is true that there are a lot of challenges when it comes to adoption, but choosing an adoption center like Adoption Choices of Colorado means that you are not alone. We will walk you through the adoption process step by step, so you know all your options. From choosing the type of adoption to post-adoption support, you can be sure that you will have a safe and healthy adoption journey.
Want to learn more about the adoption process?
Hunter Frederick is a graduate of Siena College with a degree in English and a Theatre Certificate. She is the co-author of the virtual reality play, Paneless, along with the play, the Little Vagabond, based on William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience. She is also the co-author of a historical play, Yours, for the Oppressed, based on the lives of Albany Abolitionists, Harriet and Stephen Myers, who toured Underground Railroad Sites of New York State.
In her free time, you can find Hunter cooking in the kitchen while listening to Musical Theatre songs.
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!