Information about working with different types of adoption agencies
If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, take time to explore all of your options. You may choose to parent your baby, but you may also be exploring the types of adoption agencies. Understanding the differences between private adoption agencies, such as Legacy Adoption Services, and public agencies may help you choose your next steps forward. Our agency specializes in private adoption in Texas and is here to help you learn, so that you can make the best decisions for you.
What are public adoption agencies?
Public adoption agencies are those in which the state helps find loving homes for children who are in state custody. These are often children who are permanently adopted after they have been placed into foster care, and for various reasons, cannot be returned to their parents.
Often, Child Protective Services is involved in cases that go to these types of adoption agencies. In other cases, parents choose to surrender their baby through Safe Haven laws, also known as Baby Moses laws. In Texas, the law allows a parent to surrender an unharmed infant, up to 60 days after the birth, to a hospital, fire station or emergency medical services (EMS) location.
It’s important to understand certain important differences in the types of adoption agencies. For example, in most cases of public agency adoption, the mother and father do not get to choose their child’s family, and they do not have ongoing contact with the child after the placement. For parents facing CPS cases, placing a child for private adoption before the state intervenes can allow for ongoing contact and the chance to choose the child’s future family.
What are private adoption agencies?
Private adoption agencies are licensed organizations that are staffed with social workers trained to work with pregnant women and expecting fathers who are considering either parenting or placing their baby for adoption. Under state law, private agencies like ours cannot pressure a woman to choose adoption. Instead, we are here to give you the objective information you need about all of your options, so that you have the facts to make a decision that is best for you and your baby.
Modern private adoption offers mothers more control than ever before over what the future can look like for both the mother and child. For example, mothers can choose the child’s parents and meet with them before or after the birth, and can determine specific details about the birth plan and what level of contact they will have with the baby going forward.
For example, some women choose to receive occasional updates from the adoptive parents, including pictures and letters, while others want to be able to send gifts, talk to the child by phone or videoconference, or even visit in person. Of course, women can also choose to have no contact with the child or their family after the adoption is finalized, but can still ensure that the child understands the reasons for the adoption and that their mother made the choice out of love.
If you are unsure about any part of your adoption plan, the specialists at private adoption agencies can help you through the process, or can even handle certain details for you. For women in need of secure housing, medical care, counseling, groceries and other necessities, a private adoption agency can also provide extensive resources at no cost.
Contact the caring counselors at Legacy Adoption Services to explore all of your options, including private adoption in Texas, so that you can make an informed decision about keeping your baby or working with private adoption agencies. We are here to support you, and our services are completely free to you.
