What is a Safe Haven Baby Box, and How Can I Place My Baby in a Safe Haven?

January 30, 2023 Adoption Choices of Missouri

What is a Safe Haven Baby Box, and How Can I Place My Baby in a Safe Haven?

By Melissa Camacho

If you are pregnant and considering adoption, a baby haven is a second option besides an adoption plan. Our adoption agencies in Missouri can provide you with as much guidance to safely place your baby in a haven. You are a birth mother experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, and you may feel you are not ready for parenting. We first want you to feel secure and comfortable seeking adoption in Missouri. Adoption Choices of Missouri is staffed with courteous and knowledgeable adoption professionals who provide exceptional services to all birth mothers. Seeking a private adoption service to reduce the pain and frustration during pregnancy is the first step. If you prefer to place your baby in a safe haven in Missouri, we will help you. Before making your final decision, let’s take a look at the purpose, process, and requirements of a Safe Haven Baby Box.

How Baby Safe Haven Boxes Work?

A baby safe haven box is a safety device built into the wall of a hospital or a fire station. As per the National Safe Haven Crisis line, a baby safe haven allows a mother to relinquish her parental rights to her baby in unharmed conditions. Depending on your state, the baby safe haven box is turned over to temporary foster care. In addition, the birth mother has 60 to 90 days to claim her baby back. Otherwise, her baby will then be submitted to an adoption agency.

Steps to Locate a Baby Safe Haven

Baby safe havens are legally safe locations where a birth mother can leave her baby with a baby safe haven provider. Types of baby safe havens are:

Hospitals
Maternity Homes
Pregnancy Centers
Ambulance Stations
Police Stations
Fire stations

You must place your baby with a baby safe haven provider who will take legal custody of your child. The baby safe haven provider will notify the welfare department to place your baby up for adoption. Types of baby safe haven providers are:

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Hospital staff or volunteers
Pregnancy staff member or volunteer from a maternity home
Firefighters
Law Enforcement Officers

Your baby will be transported to the nearest hospital if you decide to leave your baby in another location besides a hospital. The hospital will provide your baby with care and medical treatment. We also have a baby safe haven location for you at Adoption Choices of Missouri.

Adoption Requirements of a Baby Safe Haven

Knowing and understanding the eligibility requirements of a baby safe haven in Missouri is important. Take note of all specific requirements and measures you can take to consider a baby safe haven. The following eligibility requirements are:

Your child must be at least 1.5months, equivalent to 45 years old or younger
There should be no bruises or any other signs of physical abuse
Voluntarily provide any health-related information that will further help support your child

Your Role and Rights in the Baby Safe Haven Placement Process

You don’t need to provide proof of your identity. Therefore, you can remain anonymous throughout the baby safe haven placement process. Adoption paperwork or contracts are not required. Remember that you will turn over your parental rights and proceed with the adoption process. In addition, you will be protected from child abandonment, endangerment, or prosecution when you safely leave your child with a baby safe haven professional.

The Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services Services will assure you that your baby will be safely placed in a permanent home under proper care. You can choose a closed adoption if you do not want any communication with the adoptive family or disclose any personal information.

Choosing a Baby Safe Haven is Just as Flexible and Safe as an Adoption Plan

If you feel you are unable to undertake the responsibilities of raising your child, you have a right to search for viable solutions. It’s not easy raising a child without any support or lack of child care resources. However, considering adoption or a safe haven in Missouri will contribute to your child’s safety, growth, and development.

We want you to know you are not alone by providing instant access through our private adoption service in Missouri. If you also want to locate our adoption agencies or learn about our baby safe haven process, search for adoption agencies near me to be connected to an adoption professional. Adoption Choices of Missouri ensures our birth mothers are treated with respect and dignity. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our adoption agencies in Missouri today!

Safety, Support, and Stability are our priorities in shaping the lives of our birth mothers. Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri, call or text us at 816-527-9800.

What are my unexpected pregnancy options in Missouri?

October 6, 2022 Adoption Choices of Missouri

What are my unexpected pregnancy options in Missouri?

By Melissa Camacho

If you are a birth mother experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and want to pursue an adoption in Missouri, we can help. It’s not easy for a birth mother to plan an adoption placement without any professional help. Adoption Choices of Missouri is a licensed private adoption specializing in local and domestic adoption across Missouri. We want you to know how crucial it is for all birth mothers to learn about their adoption options. Exploring your options is the backbone of your adoption journey.

When you reach out to our adoption agencies in Missouri, you will meet with an adoption specialist to create an adoption plan. You will learn about options you can choose from to place your baby with a suitable adoptive family. In addition, you will be offered additional resources to help you move through the adoption process. Our adoption team will first guide you towards taking enough time to consider your options.

Updated Information on Parenting and Termination of Pregnancy as Unexpected Pregnancy Options

You may be wondering if adoption is the best choice when you may still be able to consider parenting. We recommend you take your time to evaluate your circumstances, such as balancing life-changing events while parenting. There is no pressure, criticism, or judgment that our licensed adoption professionals will pass on to birth mothers who eventually prefer parenting.

Our job is to primarily guide all birth mothers on how our adoption options and resources can help you. Now that constitutional rights on termination of pregnancy are affected and no longer legalized in Missouri, adoption remains a legal option for birth moms. Contact our adoption agencies in Missouri to learn about local adoption laws if you still want to pursue adoption. We are a responsive and trusting agency to work with.

Types of Adoption Options for Birth Mothers Considering Adoption in Missouri

As a leading private adoption agency, we assist our birth mothers in choosing the best adoption option that meets their needs and preferences. It’s one of the first things to discuss with your adoption specialist. The type of adoption you choose will define your relationship with the adoptive family and your child. Whichever option you choose is your choice. You are in control of your adoption plan. If you are pregnant and considering adoption, there are three types of adoption you can choose:

Open adoption

Open adoption is widely considered among birth mothers to be able to have a large amount of contact with the adoptive family. You can communicate with the adoptive family through phone calls, mail, social media, and family visits. As part of your adoption plan, the adoptive family can be present during your labor date. It’s a great opportunity to learn who the adoptive parents are. Having open-adoption lets, you keep track of your child’s progress with the adoptive parents.

Semi-adoption

Semi-adoption is part of open adoption. You can communicate with the adoptive family through a third party or adoption agency. As opposed to open adoption, no personal contact or personal information will be exchanged. This is a more mediated, private, and secure way of communicating with the adoptive family. However, family photos and letters can still be shared to learn about your child’s development.

Closed adoption

If you wish to move on from your adoption journey and not have any contact with the adoptive family, closed adoption may be your best choice.

We will not judge or discriminate against any options you choose to manage your pregnancy and adoption plan. Keep in mind that after you sign the adoption paperwork, your adoption is finalized and cannot be revoked. The process of finalizing your adoption means you are relinquishing your parental rights. Once the adoption is approved, a new birth certificate will be printed with the adoptive family’s legal name and your child’s legal name. For more information, contact your adoption specialist, or you can request to speak with an attorney.

More Adoption Options for Birth Mothers in Missouri

The advantages of private adoption are not only the option to create an open adoption but to provide of financial and emotional support. When you meet one-on-one with your adoption specialist, you can discuss the options for your financial needs. We offer financial assistance to help you pay for utilities, housing, food, medical, maternity clothing, and transportation. In addition, we can assist you with searching for affordable housing if you need a safe and comfortable home to stay in Missouri. If you are feeling emotionally overwhelmed by the grief and anxiety of placing your baby for adoption, feel free to join our counseling support services.

An adoption counselor can connect with you and offer therapy sessions to help you cope with feelings associated with stress, depression, and anxiety. Experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and putting up your baby for adoption takes some time to think through and recover from.

Learn More About Your Adoption Options and Benefits Today

Adoption Choices of Missouri helps the mom with various resources if she is pregnant and considering adoption. We work together as a team to assess your needs as a birth mother. Our adoption options are designed to fulfill the needs of birth moms in all sorts of situations. All birth mothers have different priorities, backgrounds, and cultures; we embrace diversity in the adoption community. It’s not an easy choice to choose adoption in Missouri, but the outcomes of your adoption journey can make your circumstances less challenging. If you need assistance on how to give a baby up for adoption, reach out to our adoption agencies in Missouri today!

The more adoption options a birth mother sees, the more her self-confidence grows in pursuing a Missouri adoption. Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri, call or text us at 816-527-9800

Birth Mother Blog

Differences Between Past and Modern Adoption

September 26, 2022 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Differences Between Past and Modern Adoption

By Melissa Camacho

Are you currently experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and pursuing adoption in Missouri? Well, lucky you! We are here to tell you how fortunate you are to launch your adoption journey with us. Due to the efforts that contributed to the reputation of adoption, the doors have opened for all birth mothers considering adoption. Adoption has existed for many centuries and has evolved because birth mothers like you are part of the evolution of adoption. The adoption community has helped to combat the stigma of adoption over the years due to several factors.

Even though adoption has been more positive, you may experience quite a few adoption misconceptions. Those misconceptions can be traced back to ancient times of birth mothers who placed their children for adoption. It is our privilege at Adoption Choices of Missouri to educate our birth mothers about the foundation of a purposeful adoption.

About the History of Birth Mothers and Adoption Placement

Adoption has been around since the early 1600s or 17th century in Ancient Rome. Children were adopted by wealthy families in order to ensure and sustain their wealth. However, birth mothers didn’t have as many adoption options as there are today. The reason why there weren’t that many options and benefits are because adoption was seen as “giving up.” In addition, most of the adoptions were closed adoptions. There were rarely any open adoptions available.

The Turning Point of Modern Adoption in the Late 19th and 20th Centuries

After 1851, Massachusetts initiated the new phase of adoption into laws that regulated the benefits of child welfare too:

Have children adopted by families who are financially able to provide for children
Ensure the adopted children are placed in loving, caring, and healthy home environments
Prioritize the well-being and interests of children

Since then, the wellness of adoption has been increasingly accepted by society and has brought birth mothers together. This inspired the rise of open adoption in the 1990s or late 20th century. Open adoption is an advantage you will get considering adoption with a private adoption agency. Through open adoption, you can have as much contact with the adoptive family, such as contact through mail, emails, phone calls, social media, and family visits.

Open adoption has risen to 70% of adoption cases thanks to the internet and the unity of birth mothers and adoptive parents. Semi-adoption is another form of open adoption but doesn’t involve exchanging personal information. Instead, you communicate with the adoptive family through an adoption agency or third party. The third option is a closed adoption which grants the birth mother the right to terminate any type of communication with the adoptive family. As in past adoption history, closed adoption is still considered by some birth mothers.

To ensure a child will receive proper care from an adoptive family, home studies are required to evaluate their background and home environment. A case worker will conduct the home study process with face-to-face interviews and review financial and legal documents. In addition, birth mothers can visit our waiting families throughout Kansas and Missouri profile page to learn about their interests and backgrounds.

Adoption in Missouri is Not “Giving Up” in the Modern Adoption Era

I am a birth mother in Missouri. How can I put my baby up for adoption today? Choosing adoption in Missouri is an honorable choice because adoption is not giving up. We work with you throughout your adoption journey to place your child for adoption. To place your child for adoption means you will reach out to our adoption agencies in Missouri to create a suitable adoption plan. It’s a system that works to make your pregnancy less stressful and for the well-being of your child.

Our licensed adoption team will walk you through the steps to locate an adoptive family that fits your needs.

Adoption Choices of Missouri comes to meet you either virtually or in person to launch your adoption plan with an adoption specialist. This is a responsive and trusting agency to work with. Birth mothers are treated with respect and dignity in regard to their unique preferences, circumstances, and challenges. In addition, you will have the opportunity to explore our adoption options to solve matters with other necessities.

Financial assistance is available to help you pay for monthly expenses, such as food, utilities, medical, transportation, maternity needs, and housing. Furthermore, we can help you find affordable housing if you need a safe and comfortable place to stay. If you need emotional support as well, you are not alone with our counseling support services. Our counseling support group sessions will also give you an opportunity to network with other birth mothers and share your experiences. It’s a great way to heal and manage any emotional distress that affects your pregnancy, especially before you finalize the adoption process.

Feel Free to Experience the Quality of Modern Adoption in Missouri Today

Don’t hesitate to experience the gift of modern adoption. The bridge that leads to a successful adoption journey was made for you. Responsible and caring birth mothers like you are an inspiration to the evolution of adoption. Yes, you are all part of our history and can keep the love of adoption growing throughout many generations to come. If you want to learn how to give a baby up for adoption, reach out to our adoption agencies in Missouri today.

We build on the progression of adoption by empowering our birth mothers to overcome adoption fears and barriers. Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 816-527-9800.

Birth Mother Blog

Choosing an Adoption Agency in Missouri

September 19, 2022 Adoption Choices of Missouri

Choosing an Adoption Agency in Missouri

By Melissa Camacho

I am going through an unplanned pregnancy and want to put my baby up for adoption. If you are a birth mother considering adoption in Missouri, we can help. Adoption Choices of Missouri is a licensed private adoption agency where you have more adoption options than a public adoption. Although both private and public adoption agencies work to place your child with a responsible adoptive family, you have more legal rights with a private adoption. Our adoption team will guide you when choosing an adoption agency in Missouri. In addition, we will help you learn how you can access our product adoption resources and locations in Missouri, including private adoption benefits. Private adoption in Missouri is the heart of creating an adoption plan that most fits your and your child’s needs. So choose Adoption Choices of Missouri, and we’ll get to work!

How to Locate A Private Local Adoption Agency in Missouri

If you search for adoption agencies near me, you will see a listing of local adoption agencies in Kansas and Missouri. You can expect to find a listing of Missouri call adoption agencies in Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia, and Independence. In Kansas, you can find your nearest adoption center in Wichita, Olathe, and Topeka.

Benefits of Choosing a Private Adoption Agency in Missouri

A licensed or private adoption in Missouri is regulated by state adoption laws. Our licensed private adoption agencies cover both domestic and international adoption. Local adoption agencies are located across Kansas and Missouri because services specialize in certain birth mothers’ needs. We operate through a network of licensed adoption professionals that guide you on how to give a baby up for adoption.

Primarily, our goal is to help birth mothers create a flexible adoption plan with respect to their situation. In addition, a big part of our mission is to practice inclusivity to expand the support of our adoption community. Therefore, all birth mothers are treated with respect and dignity. Once you contact a local adoption agency in Missouri, you can schedule a meeting with an adoption specialist virtually or in person. When you meet with your adoption specialist, you will be advised on the steps you need to complete the adoption process.

Options to Choose an Open-adoption, Semi-adoption, or Closed-adoption

With a private adoption, you have the option to create an open adoption. Open adoption will enable you to have any level of contact with the adoptive family. You can communicate through phone calls, messaging, social media, mail, and family visits. The adoptive family can be present on your labor date, and you have another opportunity to socialize and take photos. If you want a more private level of communication, you can choose a semi-adoption. With a semi-adoption, you can have a more mediated level of communication. You will not need to share personal information; you can communicate with the adoptive family through an adoption agency or third party.

A public adoption or foster care will not provide you with options to create an open adoption or semi-adoption. It will be a closed adoption where there will be no contact with the adoptive family. However, a private adoption will allow you to choose a closed adoption if you wish to not disclose your information and not maintain contact with your child or the adoptive family.

If you need help searching for an adoptive family to meet your preferences and your child’s needs, visit our waiting families profile page. You can view their photos and learn about their family values, living environments, and interests. Next, a caseworker will require a home study to conduct face-to-face interviews and background screenings on the adoptive family. After that, it’s your private adoption, your choice.

Financial Assistance for Personal Necessities and Other Coverage

You may qualify for financial assistance with monthly expenses if you are struggling financially. This includes phone service, utilities, food, transportation, maternity expenses, housing, and medical coverage for prenatal care and doctor or hospital visits. We can even support educational costs if you try to return to school or finish college. To determine your qualifications, contact our adoption agencies in Missouri. Are you worried about your child’s medical coverage when your adoption is finalized? Don’t worry. We will help you place your child with an adoptive family that is financially able to provide for your child’s needs.

Counseling Services Available with Adoption Agencies in Missouri

Our local adoption agencies offer counseling services to all birth mothers in need of emotional support. It’s difficult to mentally process the hardships surrounding an unplanned pregnancy. Some birth mothers often feel being pregnant and considering adoption is just giving up. Adoption is an alternative you take to place your child in a caring and loving environment rather than committing a neglectful act.

We understand birth moms go through unexpected situations and feel unable to raise a child without financial support or guidance. Moreover, we offer Post-Placement support services that include extended counseling and financial support up to six weeks after your adoption.

A Safe Place to Stay

A private adoption agency like Adoption Choices of Missouri helps birth mothers going through homelessness. Our licensed adoption professionals can help you find a secure, healthy, and comfortable place to stay. We are the home of your adoption journey and will work with you to plan your housing options.

Reach Out to Our Private Adoption Centers in Missouri Today!

We make your pregnancy less stressful by providing you with the resources to customize a flexible adoption plan. Every birth mother has different needs and priorities, and you have the right to choose what works for you. Adoption Choices of Missouri is a responsive and trusting agency to work with. It’s not an easy choice to seek a Missouri adoption, but we are a diligent team that can help make your adoption happen.

Our private adoption agencies in Missouri come together to be a branch of support to help our birth mothers fulfill their adoption journey. Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 816-527-9800

Birth Mother Blog

What is a Private Adoption in Missouri?

September 8, 2022 Adoption Choices of Missouri

What is a Private Adoption in Missouri?

By Melissa Camacho

If you are a birth mother who is pregnant and considering adoption and want to know more about private adoption, we can help. Choosing adoption in Missouri can be challenging as you go through an unplanned pregnancy. Private adoption agencies are regulated by adoption laws and regulations. Adoption Choices of Missouri is a licensed private adoption agency that secures your rights in the adoption process. Our honest, caring, and trustworthy adoption professionals will assist you.

Private adoption allows you to voluntarily place your child for adoption instead of a foster care system. In doing so, you are instantly offered an opportunity to create a customizable adoption plan. We at Adoption Choices of Missouri will guide you through the necessary steps to create an adoption plan.

Creating an Adoption Plan with Adoption Choices of Missouri

Learning how to give a baby up for adoption takes time to grasp through. It’s a journey you take one day at a time. Finding the right agency and resources will equip you to safely place your child for adoption. First, contact our adoption agencies in Missouri to connect with an adoption specialist. You will meet one-on-one with an adoption specialist to discuss your needs and make arrangements for adoption. Things you can discuss are:

Finding a family to adopt your child
People who you may or may not want to be involved in the adoption process
Ways you can keep track of your child’s progress
Status of your parental rights
Financial hardships with paying for housing, transportation, medical bills, and food

We offer financial assistance to help you cover housing, medical, transportation, and food costs. The adoptive family will cover medical costs for your child’s health. If this is a concern, you don’t need to worry. Plus, a caseworker will conduct a home study to do background screenings, family interviews and review financial statements. The purpose of a home study is to see if the adoptive family is qualified to take care of your child and meets your preferences. You can visit our waiting families profile page to view an inclusive list of waiting families that include:

Married couples
Single parents
LGBTQ+ couples

Choosing Between an Open-adoption, Semi-adoption, and Closed-adoption

There are three types of adoption: open adoption, semi-adoption, and closed adoption. You must choose one of these adoption options to determine the type of relationship you want with the adoptive family. For instance, you can have any amount of contact you want with the adoptive family after your adoption is finalized.

Open Adoption

Open adoption will allow you to communicate with the adoptive family through emails, phone calls, video chats, family visits, or social media. The adoptive family can also be present at the hospital on your birth delivery date. You can take photos and videos of the adoptive family with your child. Throughout the open-adoption plan, you can also show how much you love and care for your child. Once you arrange visits with the adoptive family, take some time to communicate with your child.

Semi-Open Adoption

If you want to communicate with the adoptive with a limited amount of open communication, a semi-adoption is the way to go. Through a semi-adoption, you can communicate with the adoptive family through a more secure connection. This means you can communicate through a third party or adoption agency. To terminate your communication with the adoptive family after the adoption is finalized, you may want a closed adoption. With a closed adoption, your information, the adoptive family, and your child will not be disclosed.

Closed Adoption

Keep in mind that once your adoption is finalized, your parental rights are handed over to the adoptive family as the legal guardians. You are no longer parenting your child. When the court approves the adoption, a new birth certificate will be printed with your child’s name and the adoptive parents as your child’s parents. This applies to any type of adoption you choose. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact your adoption specialist, or you can request to speak with an attorney.

Get More Out of Private Adoption with Our Post-Placement Support Services

After you reach the final stage of your adoption journey, you might ask yourself, Can I still get support after I put my baby up for adoption? It takes time for birth mothers to recover after their child is placed with the adoptive family. That’s why we offer extended support services to help our birth mothers with their needs. You can join our Post-Placement support services if you need more time to settle and get your finances together.

You may still qualify for up to six more financial assistance for monthly expenses, such as housing, food, and utilities. In addition, we still offer counseling to help our birth mothers manage overwhelming emotions that interfere with your mental health. Getting mental health support is vital to help you resume daily activities and other future plans.

Begin Your Adoption Journey in Missouri Today!

If you are considering adoption due to unexpected circumstances, contact our adoption team to help you get settled. Adoption may not be an easy choice, but adoption in Missouri works towards your benefit and your child’s benefit. Rather than giving up, you can place your child with an adoptive family that is equipped to provide for your child’s well-being. Adoption Choices of Missouri is a responsive and trusting agency to work with. All birth mothers are treated with respect and dignity regardless of their differences and situations. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our adoption agencies in Missouri to learn more!

Our private adoption services are built to encourage birth mothers not to give up on their rights to choose adoption. Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri, call or text us at 816-527-9800