What to Consider When Choosing Adoption
By Samatha Hemingway
There are many factors to take into account when choosing adoption for your newborn. Adoption Choices of Colorado, located in Aurora, Colorado, is here to support you in every way we can. Although the adoption process can seem overwhelming, there are steps you can take to minimize your worry. We understand that choosing adoption for your newborn is difficult and courageous. That’s why we are ready and able to provide you with the resources you need to help you through the process. Ensuring the well-being of you and your baby is our utmost priority.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Points to Consider When Placing Your Newborn for Adoption
It’s important to take the time to carefully evaluate each point to consider when placing your newborn for adoption.
Adoption in Colorado: You Should Read and Familiarize Yourself with Colorado’s Adoption Laws
You might wonder why this is important to do. Understanding adoption laws may help you to feel more confident in your decision. Not just anyone can adopt a baby. Our selection process for eligible adoptive families is comprehensive. We can ensure that every child is placed with a loving and nurturing family.
What are Your Colorado Adoption Options?
- Open adoption is when the birth parents and the adoptive parents maintain ongoing communication. Open adoptions allow birth parents to remain involved in their child’s life.
- Semi-open adoption is similar to an open adoption but offers less frequent contact between the birth parents and adoptive parents. Typically, the communication is facilitated through a third party, such as an adoption agency.
- Closed adoption is when there is no contact between the birth parents and adoptive parents after the adoption is finalized. All information is kept confidential.
- Private adoption is when birth parents work directly with prospective adoptive parents or an adoption agency to place their child for adoption. Private adoptions can offer certain benefits, such as having greater control over the process.
Your Reasons for Placing Your Baby for Adoption are Valid
It’s important to ensure that this decision is truly what you want. You should take into consideration any long-term consequences that may result from your decision.
The Characteristics You Want in an Adoptive Family
Consider whether or not you have specific desires. Some examples include religion, sexual orientation, or race.
Steps to Take in Order to Complete the Adoption Process in Colorado
There is a lot that goes into how to put a child up for adoption, and it’s therefore important to have an adoption plan. Below are the steps you must take in order to complete the process. Please be reminded that we will help you every step of the way.
- Decide on the type of adoption you want to pursue
- Select an adoption agency
- Find a match
- Legalize the adoption
- Finalize the adoption
There are many adoption agencies in Colorado, but it’s important to work with a reputable and experienced agency to understand what’s required of you.
Why You Should Consider Adoption Counseling
Throughout this process, you will likely feel overwhelmed at one point or another. Don’t worry. You are not alone. There are plenty of birth mothers that have been in the same situation. It’s no question that Placing your baby for adoption is a difficult decision to make. In addition, having an unplanned pregnancy can take a toll on your mental health. Our adoption counseling services are free of charge and can provide you with the support you need. A counselor can help you cope with the emotions that may arise during the adoption process. Whether you need help preparing for the process, coping or grieving, or navigating challenges, a counselor can help.
We Recognize that Making the Decision to Put Your Newborn Up for Adoption is Difficult
Adoption Choices of Colorado is committed to helping you navigate the adoption process. We know that this is a lot of information to process, and we are happy to guide you through it. Our compassionate and dedicated professionals are here to help you make informed decisions every step of the way. Let us be your partner in this journey toward providing your child with a loving home.
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!