Making an Adoption Plan

Step Two

Options Counseling

You may feel overwhelmed and confused. A Spence-Chapin counselor can help. She will work with you to explore your current circumstances, thoughts and feelings, so that you can decide what option is best for you and your baby.

Step Three

Selecting Adoptive Parents for Your Child

If you decide to make an adoption plan for your child, you will be able to select from our profiles of waiting adoptive families. All of these families have been carefully screened and have received education about adoption. You can review letters in which adoptive families talk about who they are, and see photo albums they’ve created. Once you have selected a family, you can meet to get to know each other and to talk about ongoing contact.

Step Four

Once Your Baby Is Born

If you need more time to decide what to do after your baby is born, Spence-Chapin can place your baby with one of our experienced interim care families. During this time, your child will receive professional medical care by Spence-Chapin’s pediatrician. You can continue to visit with the baby and explore all your options with your counselor. You can decide to place your child in adoption or have the child returned to your care.

Step Five

Placement

If you decide to move forward with the adoption plan, Spence-Chapin will help you to sign the necessary legal documents and choose a placement day. Some birth and adoptive parents have a special ceremony during which the baby is formally placed with the adoptive family.

Step Six

After Placement

Placing a child for adoption is never an easy decision, and it is only natural that you will experience feelings of loss and sadness. Your counselor is available to you at any time after the placement if you feel the need for emotional support and counseling.