A BETTER WORLD

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THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO KNOW

Contacting A Better World does not mean that you have to make an adoption plan – we will help you create the plan that you feel is best for you and your baby.

Any assistance we provide to you is free and does not obligate you to make an adoption plan at any time before your child is born.

Everything you tell us is confidential. We will meet with you at a time and place that is convenient for you.

If you decide to parent your child, our A Better World can be an ongoing resource and provide you with referrals to support you and your family.

If you decide to make an adoption plan, we are experienced in adoption planning and can help you understand the process and your rights.

You can tell us what you are looking for in an adoptive family for your child. You will want to consider lifestyle, location, religion, personalities, interests, and whether there are other children in the family.

You can also decide if you want to meet the family, and how much information you want to share with them.

Coming to terms with your feelings about adoption is an important personal process. You may want to continue counseling in the months after you have given birth, and ABW can connect you with those services.

We can facilitate communication between birth and adoptive parents so you can be kept informed of your child's development and well-being.

We want to help you make the best plan for you and your baby.

We are here for you during and long after your pregnancy.

FAQ

HOW CAN A BETTER WORLD (ABW) HELP ME?

The ABW staff are neutral, compassionate, and informative. We will meet you and help you explore all of your options. There is no charge for this counseling. Our social workers may help you find some resources or support that you had not thought of. Coming to A Better World does not mean you have to plan an adoption. We want you to take the time to find the best solution for your own situation. Regardless of your decision, we will help you obtain the resources you need, such as housing, medical care, and financial assistance. The choice is yours.

CAN I CHOOSE THE ADOPTIVE FAMILY?

Yes. You will tell us what is important to you in an adoptive family. You will be able to view profile albums created by prospective adoptive families waiting to adopt. Or if you have already decided on a family we can help complete the adoption process, in a safe, supportive and legal manner.

WILL ALL OF MY EXPENSES BE PAID?

Your financial needs will be assessed and in many cases living and rental assistance can be provided.

WILL MY MEDICAL EXPENSES BE PAID?

If you do not have insurance to pay your medical bills or are entitled to a government subsidy, we will help you make those arrangements.. If you choose adoption, your our-of-pocket medical costs pertaining to your pregnancy will be paid through the adoption process.

WHAT ARE MY LEGAL RIGHTS

You remain your baby's legal guardian until you have decided to sign the papers to voluntarily terminate your parental rights and the documents are reviewed by a judge. Your parental rights are not terminated until the day of a hearing set by the court. A Better World will be there to support you through each step of the process.

DOES THE BIRTH FATHER NEED TO BE CONTACTED?

The law requires the father to be notified of your plan to place the child for adoption. Expectant fathers are also offered counseling and support throughout the process. When available, we request that the birth father complete the same paperwork as the birth mother. However, when the birth father cannot be located, an adoption plan can still be made.

A Better World understands that your relationship may be sensitive and we will help each of you through this. You will not be required to have contact with each other if you choose not to. A Better World can do so for you.

DO I HAVE TO TELL ANYONE ELSE?

If you are 18 years of age or older, everything that you tell us is confidential and no one other than the birth father needs to be notified.

If you are younger than 18 years of age, the law requires that we speak to your legal guardian.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE HOSPITAL?

We will help you make a hospital plan that feels comfortable for you. A Better World will be at the hospital to be a support and to see that your plan is followed.

WHAT TYPES OF ADOPTION ARE THERE?

There are three types of adoption: Open, Semi-open, and Closed.

Open:

This involves an ongoing relationship between the birthparents and the adoptive family. Both parties have exchanged identifying information, and the extent of communication is up to both the birth mother and the adoptive family.

Semi-open:

With a semi-open adoption, you still are able to meet the adoptive family if you wish, but there will be no identifying information exchanged. This is the most common type of adoption due to its flexibility for all parties. There can be ongoing contact and the exchange of pictures and updates through the agency. Semi-open adoptions give everyone peace of mind and confidentiality while still keeping the doors of communication open to exchange information like milestones, achievements, medical histories, etc.

Closed:

Offers complete confidentiality. There will be no identifying information given about each other. With the birth parent permission, the agency can pick adoptive parents from our approved waiting families. Even if you choose a closed adoption, you are able to change to an open adoption if the family is open to it as well.

WHY CHOOSE ADOPTION?

Choosing adoption is a positive alternative for an unplanned pregnancy. It allows you to give your child a chance at life and give one of the greatest gifts to an adoptive family. Many women who are going through an unplanned pregnancy do not investigate all her options, if you feel adoption is right for you, please contact A Better World today.

HOW DO I KNOW THE ADOPTIVE FAMILY ARE GOOD PEOPLE?

All our potential adoptive families go through extensive investigations and pre-requisites. A licensed social worker will meet with the adoptive family in their home to complete a series of interviews, which is called a home study. The adoptive parents must go through various checks for criminal history, FBI clearance checks, and child abuse and neglect clearances. We require them to provide us with important documentation such as birth certificates, copies of marriage licenses, medical reports of the adoptive family, etc. Once we have all the necessary and required documents and clearances from the adoptive family, they are able to become one of our waiting families. We would not present an adoptive family that does not have a completed an approved home study.

AM I ABLE TO PLACE A CHILD FRO ADOPTION WITHOUT THE BIRTH FATHER?

Many birth fathers give their consent for the adoption. However, if the biological father does not wish to provide consent, you don’t know his whereabouts, or if he wants to talk to an agency representative, please contact us.

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