Who Will Help Me Create An Adoption Plan in Colorado?
Are you experiencing an unexpected or unplanned pregnancy? Are you wondering what the next steps to be taken are? You might be feeling an overwhelming amount of emotions right now, and that is okay. It is perfectly normal to be feeling worried, scared, angry, etc. Many birth mothers experience those feelings in the beginning after just discovering they are pregnant. Unfortunately, not everyone has a support system they can turn to, or they do not feel comfortable sharing that kind of information with people. However, you always have us at Adoption Choices of Colorado. We can offer you that support system and a shoulder to lean on during this very emotional time. We can answer all your questions and provide you with all the important information to make the adoption process easier for you.
The best thing about having us as your Colorado adoption agency is we will help you create an adoption plan. Creating an adoption plan, in the beginning, will set you up for a successful adoption process. With Adoption Choices of Colorado, you will work with several adoption specialists who will go through all that should be included in your adoption plan. The most important thing you need to know right now is that you are not alone, and you will always have us in your corner.
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 Included in an Adoption Plan in Colorado?
When speaking with our adoption specialists, they will ask you several questions and help you organize your adoption plan so that it is unique to you. It should serve your interests and cater to your needs. We will go over the first thing if you need any financial assistance. There is no shame in needing or asking for help because everyone needs it from time to time. We will create a budget and figure out where you need the most financial aid if you do. Afterward, we will review prospective adoptive families and see who best matches your preferences and level of openness for the adoption. The level of openness will also be decided and included in your adoption plan. It is best to choose that early, so you and the adoptive family are on the same page throughout the process and post-placement. Finally, we will go over a hospital plan and discuss things like who you wish to be in the room with you during labor, medication, or something as simple as lighting. Your birth plan can include anything you wish, and anything you believe would make your birthing experience more comfortable for you.
What Happens After I Complete My Adoption Plan?
After you finish creating your adoption plan, you will begin the normal pregnancy journey. Your adoption plan is meant to help guide you along your Colorado adoption journey and serve as a reference if you need it. There might be hiccups along the way, or you do not know what to do in a certain situation. You have your adoption plan to refer to. It is meant to hold all the future answers to the questions that might arise. It is also supposed to be unique to you and your situation. Not every birth mother is in the same situation or under the same circumstances. While it is good to seek support from other birth mothers, you cannot always take to heart what they say because they are going through something completely different. The only thing most birth mothers have in common is that they are pregnant. Do not compare yourself or your adoption plan to others.
If you are still feeling worried or have doubts after creating your Denver adoption plan, you can reach out to our adoption specialists. You can change your adoption plan at any time, whether that is adding or taking away or changing it altogether. We understand that life happens and situations change, so never feel like you cannot reach out. Nothing is set in stone, and you have all the power. Until your child is born and placed with their adoptive family, they are still yours, and you are able to make the calls on their behalf. We do not want you to feel any negative emotions during your pregnancy, which is why we offer emotional support counseling whenever you need it.
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.
Meet the Author: Gabriella Dobson was born and raised in Ohio. She is currently a senior at Miami University majoring in professional writing with a focus on editing. She also minors in criminology and general business. She is a skilled barista and enjoys sipping her coffee with a good book in her hand. She is passionate about helping others and making a difference in the lives around her. With her involvement in St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Women Helping Women, she is able to provide resources for those in need of support.
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!