The decision is difficult, and the choices are yours. You need to know that adoption is an unselfish and courageous decision made by a parent who loves the child very much.

Unplanned pregnancy means facing an important event - it also means making difficult decisions. It can seem like an overwhelming job for those who are feeling confused or upset.

When thinking about your pregnancy and your future, it's good to know that the choices are yours and there are options available to you.

It is important to explore what you need and want for yourself and your child.

We are people who care and want to help you do this - we are qualified counselors who understand your feelings and problems.

READY TO PARENT?
Making plans for your baby includes taking a look at your own needs and life, and making some important decisions about your desire and ability to really care for your baby for a lifetime.

Exploring your feelings is important - it will be the beginning of sorting through those feelings and making a plan that focuses on what both you and your child need. Careful thought and time to gather the resources of those around you will give you an opportunity to do what is in the best interest of you and your child.

WE CAN HELP
Experienced and caring counseling can assist you in looking at all the decisions to be made and in examining your feelings and the individual situation in which you live.

Counseling at Community Adoption Center is free! You need not be planning on placing your child for adoption in order to begin counseling - if you are wanting to explore adoption as an option for you and your child, we want to help you look closely at it as one of your choices.

The agency can also assist birth parents with rental assistance, utility payments and groceries subject to state statute limitations.

ADOPTION IS AN OPTION
If you decide to place your child for adoption, you have many things which you may want to do:

• Select a family
• Write a letter or send a gift for sharing with your child at a later time.
• Receive information about the child's placement and progress.
• Share information and feelings or meet the adoptive family.

YOU AND YOUR BABY DESERVE HELP AND SUPPORT
We care about you and your child and respect your right to make choices and plans for yourself. We want to help you find what is right for you in a confidential and supportive setting.

Security and Sensitivity
Babies need to be cared for, physically and in many other ways as well.

Parents need to be assured that they are making choices that are best for them and their child - to feel comfortable with their plans for now and for a lifetime.

Both parents and babies need a support system of people who are knowledgeable and caring, who can help them with information and resources.

Confidential Setting and Information
Birthparents need to discover the needs of their child and how best to be a parent. That means exploring help that is available and your own readiness for parenting, or legal advice about financial aid, etc. It means making good decisions based on good information.

ADOPTION IS A GIFT
You have choices to make about the adoption you want for yourself and your child.

Community Adoption Center can help you look at the advantages of each kind of adoption. Whether you want a traditional adoption experience, or a completely open adoption, we can assist you in planning for a placement, meeting parents, possible foster care, information exchange, and all the important things that concern you most.

Agency Adoption - In this kind of adoption, the agency helps you select a family from those couples who have already applied and meet all the requirements for adoptive parents in our state.

You can have information about the couple, and you can have contact with them through the agency if you want this. Often, birthparents and adoptive parents exchange pictures and letters, and sometimes they meet.

Independent Adoption - Sometimes called "private" adoption, this refers to an adoption where the birthparent and adoptive parents find each other apart from the agency selection process, and then the agency helps them by counseling, and doing the required home study.

IT'S GOOD TO KNOW
In every adoption, the laws of our state require birthparent and adoptive parents to work with an agency.

Birthparents can get free counseling whether preparing for an agency adoption or a private/independent adoption.

The decisions are yours. It is against the law for anyone to force you to choose adoption. The decision should be made after lots of thought and preparation.

Questions are natural and encouraged. Birthparents need to feel free to explore their rights, the needs of their child, the adoption process, and feelings or problems they may have.

Adoption is a choice - it may be your best choice. If you choose adoption it will be a loving decision. You can feel proud of the kind of love that gives your baby the gift of a secure, stable, loving family.