If you are pregnant or have a baby and considering adoption

Call (859) 317-3358

 

This is YOUR decision!

A Caring Connection has counselors available to assist you in preparing for the birth and future of your child. Our focus is on assisting you in reaching the choice that you feel is right. Our services are free to expectant parents and we want you to know what resources and options are available to you during and after your pregnancy. You’re the one making the decision for your child and we want you to have the support you need during this time to make whatever choice you feel is best. We support you without pressure, provide you with honest and truthful information and will not encourage anyone to parent or make an adoption plan. This is your decision.

We respect how difficult it is to plan for your child and want to ease your mind as much as we possibly can. If you choose to parent, we will help in getting you as prepared as possible. If you are considering adoption, we want you to know that we are putting the time and effort in to ensure that adoptive couples are as prepared as possible. We screen prospective adoptive couples during the home study process that is needed to place a child in their home for adoption. By getting to know a couple to the best of our ability, we feel we can recommend them as a safe, loving, prepared adoptive family for an infant placed in their care. Our services are not time-limited for the first parents, adoptive parents or adoptees and we are able to provide support for birth parents and adoptive families for as long as they desire.

We value the courage that it takes for you to make that first phone call. We often travel to meet with our clients and there is a possibility that we will not be in the office at times. We’re looking forward to talking with you.

The two pregnancy and adoption counselors can be reached by calling or emailing:

(859) 253-1993 ext. 1040 (Nelda) njackson@cdlex.org

(859) 253-1993 ext. 1039 (Laurie) lhainley@cdlex.org

If you are pregnant or have a baby and considering adoption Call (859) 317-3358

For more information regarding A Caring Connection – go to www.kycaringconnection.org

FAQ’s

What if my friends and family want me to choose something different than what I think is best?
It is hard for your friends and family to understand why you may be considering one choice over another. They may be concerned about you and the impact your decision will have on your life. Your parents may be thinking of their grandchild and your friends cannot wait to hold and play with the baby. In the long run, you are the one who will be responsible for this child for 18 years or more. This is your decision to make. You need to feel comfortable about your decision and feel that you are choosing the life that is right for your child. We will be glad to help you talk to your family and friends about your options and decision to help them to understand.
Do I have to be Catholic to use your agency?

No. We serve people regardless of race, nationality or religion.

How can A Caring Connection help me to decide what is the best option for my pregnancy?

We spend time discussing with each individual who they have around to help out or provide support during this time and after. In addition, time is spent talking about what it takes to parent or to place a baby for adoption. Neither decision is easy and each involves a lot of sacrifice. By carefully examining each option, you can determine which decision you feel is best.

Will you still work with me if I choose to parent?

Yes, we will work with you to prepare for the birth of your child; help you get ready to parent and connect you with resources to be the most effective parent possible. We will provide education/information and be there for you during the first few months after the baby is born.

Why is it best to use a local (within state) agency for adoption?

Thinking about placing a child for adoption can be a very difficult decision. It is important that you have easy access to a counselor during what can be a very emotional time. There are questions that you need answered and it is helpful if you have someone close by who can meet with you. A local agency will also have information about local resources and services that can be of assistance to you during and after your pregnancy. Working with a local agency will provide you with a choice of adoptive families who live nearby which will make it easier to meet and build a relationship if you choose. A pregnancy counselor is not just available to you during your pregnancy, but can be there for after you deliver and place your child.

Will my parents have to be involved if I am under 18 years old and want to make an adoption plan for my child?

You and the father of the baby are the only ones who have parental rights. If you are under 18 years old, you will need to have someone over the age of 18 who will act as your “next of friend.” This person should know you and spent time talking with you about the adoption to make sure that you understand the decision you are making. If adoption is the option that you are considering and you need help talking with your family, the staff at A Caring Connection will be available.

What rights does the father of the baby have?

The birth father has the same parental rights that you have. If he is interested, he can be a part of the counseling process to help both of you decide on the option that is best. If you are not comfortable talking with him about the fact that you are considering adoption, or you do not know him very well, we will be happy to try to contact and talk with him for you.

How much will my child know about me?

You can determine how much information you want the adoptive family to have by choosing the type of adoption you feel is best (open or closed). All adoptions require us to get medical background information so that the child will have a medical history to pass on to doctors. You can keep your identity secret, or you can share as much as you would like with the adoptive family. If you choose to not have an open adoption relationship with the adoptive family, it will be very important for you to pass on to us all of the information that you wish so that we can pass it on to the family for the baby.

Can I see my baby in the hospital?
You can decide whether or not you will spend time with the baby in the hospital. If you feel that this will be too painful for you, you have the option of having the chosen adoptive couple care for the baby while in the hospital. You also have the option of doing both.
How do I know the baby will be going to a good home?
A Caring Connection has families who have been through a long process in order to get ready to adopt. They must meet certain standards and we must complete a home study before they can adopt a child. The home study includes police background checks, employment and personal references, financial checks, physicals, interviews, education groups and home visits. By the time a family has been approved by our agency, we believe that we know them and that they will be good parents. Once a child is placed in a home, we supervise the placement for several months before the family can finalize the adoption. In choosing the family to adopt your child you will have information, pictures and letters provided in an album that tells you about their lifestyle, the reasons they want to adopt and how the child will be raised. If you have an open adoption, you may feel more comfortable by having ongoing contact and seeing that the child is loved and cared for.
Are there families who want to adopt my baby?
Yes. We have families waiting to adopt all kinds of infants. Our families are unable to give birth themselves and this is the only way they will be able to parent. We can always find a family for any infant.
When do I need to decide if I am going to make an adoption plan? What if I cannot decide by the time the baby is born?
You can decide at any time during your pregnancy whether or not you would like to make and adoption plan. There are times when someone will go to the hospital and at that time decide that adoption could be a good option for their child. If you have not made contact with us, you can ask the hospital social worker to call and we can meet with you at the hospital. At that time we can discuss our program, how adoption works and give you information that can help you decide what you want to do. We have temporary care available if you need to make a decision regarding adoption or parenting. This is an option to give you more time and we can provide more information when we meet with you. You have the right to change your mind at any time during this adoption planning process, before termination of parental rights, if you decide that adoption is not in the best interest of your child. We will support you in your decision.
Can I still choose adoption later if parenting does not work out?
Yes. A lot of times, people find parenting a lot more difficult than they expected and feel that they need to look at their options. Just call us and we will be able to help you look at adoption and choose a family if that is your final decision.
Will I be pressured or encouraged by A Caring Connection toward adoption or parenting?
No, our focus is to support you through this process and the final decision is up to you.

Adoption can be an opportunity for you to take an active part in choosing the life that you think will be best for your child – a life which can include you.

This is your pregnancy.
We can help provide support while you choose what you want for your child’s future.

 If you are pregnant or have a baby and considering adoption Call (859) 317-3358

 

Choosing Adoption

Sometimes people may be faced with a pregnancy and feel that they are just not ready to take on the responsibility of parenting. At other times, due to other circumstances, adoption may be the option that one feels is best. People consider adoption for various reasons, most of which are very personal and hard for others to understand. Those who consider adoption come from all walks of life – some are professionals, some are already parenting, others are married, some are young, most feel that they want a different life for their child than what they can provide. Even though making an adoption plan is a difficult decision, this is a very loving way of making sure that your child has the future that you choose.

If you would like to view a few of our waiting couples, click HERE.

Types of Adoption

If you feel that you cannot parent the child that you are carrying at this time, you can make an adoption plan that best fits your needs. This is a plan that you make for your future and your baby’s future. There are a range of adoption plans.

A Caring Connection of Catholic Charities, provides voluntary infant adoption services. There are varying levels of adoption that determine if or what level of contact will be maintained between the birth parents (placing parents) and the adoptive family.

In an Open Adoption, you choose the adoptive family, have the opportunity to get to know them and maintain contact throughout the child’s life.

In a Semi-Open Adoption, you may choose the adoptive family and may or may not meet. Letters and pictures may be exchanged through the agency. Identifying information is not exchanged.

A Closed Adoption can be chosen if you prefer not to have contact with the adoptive family. You still have the option of choosing the adoptive family. All of your health and non-identifying social information is still provided to the adoptive family so it may benefit the child.

In all of the above types of adoptions, confidentiality is extremely important. Only that information which you wish to provide to the adoptive family (other than medical, health and non-identifying social information) will be shared. You determine the type of adoption you wish to have and in doing so you choose the family who is also interested in the same level of contact. All of the above-named adoptions are legally the same.

This is your pregnancy. We can help provide support while you choose what you want for your child’s future.

Adoption can be an opportunity for you to take an active part in choosing the life that you think will be best for your child – a life which can include you.

If you are pregnant or have a baby and considering adoption Call (859) 317-3358