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