SERVICES

Adoption Advantage provides the following services to adoptive parents in an effort to complete a successful adoption.

1. Adoption Advertising
• We use marketing analysis and place Agency advertisements in targeted "yellow page" telephone directories throughout the United States.
• We send information about the Agency, its programs and clients on a regular basis to the Agency's network of OB-GYN physicians, high schools, hospitals, abortion clinics and crisis pregnancy centers. We encourage them to make the information available to birth parent(s); to contact the Agency in those instances when a birth mother is delivering a child, wishes to place the child for adoption and has not yet selected adoptive parents.
• We participate in media outreach programs (locally, regionally and upon occasion, nationally) by providing speakers, time and resources for television, radio and print interviews, public service announcements and events.
• We maintain "toll free" numbers to assist those interested in adoption in responding to the advertisements and other publicity and outreach efforts.

2. Extensive Acceptance Procedures for Birth Mothers
We believe that the initial contact by a birth mother is an emotional event. We understand that deciding to place a child for adoption is one of the most difficult decisions a mother will ever make. Our policy is to personally meet with a birth mother within 24 hours (usually 12 hours) of contacting the agency.
Once we determine that the birth mother is committed to her decision regarding adoption, we assist the birth parent(s) in completing our 13-page health background information form. The birth mother is then assigned to a licensed social worker who counsels the birth parents on their decision to seek adoption of their child. We obtain medical releases and all available medical records pertaining to the birth mother and/or the prenatal care of the baby. We also receive results of tests for HIV, Hepatitis, drug and alcohol use, etc. We verify the pregnancy of the birth mother and her OB-GYN exam results.

3. Continuous Care and Support for Birth Mothers During and After the Adoption
The Agency genuinely cares for the birth mothers who come to them for assistance. The adoption coordinator assists the birth mother in receiving all the medical coverage and other assistance available to them. She is also given any help needed to improve her vocational skills and in looking for employment, if desired. She is provided professional counseling from licensed social workers, if needed. We maintain constant contact with birth mothers throughout the adoption process to assure that their needs are met and that they receive excellent prenatal care. We arrange for a mid-wife or La Maz classes, if requested.

4. Personal Adoption Counselors
We have licensed social workers on staff to provide counseling to birth mothers and adoptive parents, if needed. We also are able to conduct your home study, if you do not already have one.

5. Adoption Assessment
We assign adoptive parents to a personal adoption coordinator who will interview them at length to determine what type of adoption will work for them. Additionally, our social workers can provide assistance by completing your home study.

6. Assistance in Preparing Portfolio and Letter to the Birth Mother
Your adoptive parent coordinator will work with you and provide you with advice and examples to assure that your portfolio accurately reflects your family. Your coordinator will also provide suggestions on the length, format and areas discussed in your letter to the birth mother. Your coordinator's experience will be invaluable in helping you create the "perfect" portfolio.

7. Finding the Right Birth Mother for YOUR Situation
There are several issues that your adoption coordinator will cover with you to ensure that we find the right birth mother for you. Through this process we attempt to minimize the anxiety, frustration and fear that can arise from a poorly matched couple and birth parent. For example, if the adoptive parents are interested in a closed adoption and the birth mother wants an open adoption, each will have different expectations which will increase the chance for disappointment and the likelihood of a disruption.

8. Arranging a Meeting with Your Birth Mother
Adoption Advantage will organize and supervise an initial meeting between the birth mother and the adoptive parents. This will help to solidify the relationship and bring some peace to the birth mother that she has made the right choice. Although many adoptive parents are apprehensive about the meeting beforehand, they come away from the meeting with a positive experience.

9. Monitor and Report Progress and Needs of the Birth Mother
Adoption Advantage's staff maintains contact with birth parents on a regular basis throughout their pregnancy and report to the adoptive parents on a weekly basis, more frequently if needed. This information could include the results of doctor's appointment, or a change in her behavior, etc. Of course, you are always welcome to call us when you have questions or if you are just "checking in."

10. Organize and Arrange all of the Medical Needs of the Birth Mother
We give the birth mother the option to choose a medical provider, but if she has no preference, Adoption Advantage has a network of physicians familiar with the adoption process and sensitive to the birth mother's unique needs.

11. An Adoption Coordinator will Oversee the Adoption From the Hospital
Once your birth mother informs us she is going into labor, your coordinator will meet you at the hospital as soon as possible. Your coordinator will stay with you throughout the labor and delivery, until you are able to visit with your new baby. In most cases we are able to arrange a "rooming in" situation with your baby.

12. Birth Mother Aftercare
From the time that Adoption Advantage signs a birth mother, we prepare her for the birth and the period after the delivery. The coordinator will contact the birth mother daily during the waiting period. We gradually reduce the number of contacts over the next several weeks. However, we develop very special relationships with our birth mothers and some still stay in touch.