Post-placement timeline
Congratulations, you’ve adopted a precious baby! Here’s what you can expect over the next several months.
MONTH 1
Tying up odds and ends
While you and baby acclimate to life together, your legal team will tend to the legal matters pertaining to any putative father that was not named or identified during the pregnancy.
You’ll know whether or not a father was named or unnamed prior to signing the petition for adoption. But no matter what transpired during pregnancy, your adoption attorney will check Indiana’s putative father registry just to confirm that no man has registered within the legal timeframe in Indiana. The timeframe for this is 30 days from birth.
During this time, you will be contacted by the coordinator. She will do a “wrap-up” meeting with you to tie up loose ends and make sure the communication with your child’s birth family is starting out smoothly.
At this time, you will also be given Adoption Education: Part 4 to do while you are home cuddling. No worries, this education is different from the previous parts. You’ll learn about post-adoption depression, how to talk to your baby about adoption from day 1 and creating a spirit of openness in your home. You will also make some goals for ongoing education for the next year.
You’ll know whether or not a father was named or unnamed prior to signing the petition for adoption. But no matter what transpired during pregnancy, your adoption attorney will check Indiana’s putative father registry just to confirm that no man has registered within the legal timeframe in Indiana. The timeframe for this is 30 days from birth.
During this time, you will be contacted by the coordinator. She will do a “wrap-up” meeting with you to tie up loose ends and make sure the communication with your child’s birth family is starting out smoothly.
At this time, you will also be given Adoption Education: Part 4 to do while you are home cuddling. No worries, this education is different from the previous parts. You’ll learn about post-adoption depression, how to talk to your baby about adoption from day 1 and creating a spirit of openness in your home. You will also make some goals for ongoing education for the next year.
MONTH 2
Meeting the post-placement team
Your ASC adoption coordinator has officially handed you over to our post-placement team, who will send you an email introducing themselves and sharing their contact info. If you need support from here on out, this is the team to reach out to! Emailing support@adoptonsupportcenter.com is the quickest way to drop them a note, question, or concern.
Our post-placement team will reach out to your child’s birth mom during this time. Our team will regularly offer her grief counseling, support groups and community-building opportunities. Some birth moms take us up on those services right away, and for others it takes months or even years for her to be ready to engage. But no matter what, those services are free to her forever.
Our post-placement team will reach out to your child’s birth mom during this time. Our team will regularly offer her grief counseling, support groups and community-building opportunities. Some birth moms take us up on those services right away, and for others it takes months or even years for her to be ready to engage. But no matter what, those services are free to her forever.
MONTH 3
Support call
Your post-placement class
Three months after your baby’s birth most parents have started back to work and are into a good routine. This is a good time to have a support call with ASC. Just know, we will meet you where you are, still offering our support as you adjust. Email our post-placement support team to set up your call!
Our staff will help you be the best adoptive parent possible by supporting your child’s identity as an adoptee, and by laying the groundwork for a healthy relationship with your baby’s birth mom. In short, we’ll set you up to be a lifelong learner as you embrace this unique and complex type of parenthood.
Our staff will help you be the best adoptive parent possible by supporting your child’s identity as an adoptee, and by laying the groundwork for a healthy relationship with your baby’s birth mom. In short, we’ll set you up to be a lifelong learner as you embrace this unique and complex type of parenthood.
MONTH 4
Your in-home post-placement visit
Months after your baby’s birth, a member of ASC’s team will come to your home for a post-placement visit. The purpose of this visit is to make sure that you’re adjusting to being new parents.
We’ll check on your baby’s sleeping space, and make sure they’re eating well and starting to recognize you as mom and dad. We’ll also document the immunizations your baby has gotten, and the pediatrician you’ve chosen.
If you’ve adopted transracially, we’ll have a bit more dialogue with you regarding your child’s library and toys. We’ll discuss the racial mirrors available to them in terms of the professionals you have chosen for their care, community and education.
You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and request any additional help or support with bonding, infertility grief or just overall adjustment to parenting through adoption.
We’ll check on your baby’s sleeping space, and make sure they’re eating well and starting to recognize you as mom and dad. We’ll also document the immunizations your baby has gotten, and the pediatrician you’ve chosen.
If you’ve adopted transracially, we’ll have a bit more dialogue with you regarding your child’s library and toys. We’ll discuss the racial mirrors available to them in terms of the professionals you have chosen for their care, community and education.
You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and request any additional help or support with bonding, infertility grief or just overall adjustment to parenting through adoption.
MONTH 5
The Decree of Adoption
Five months from your baby’s birth, it’s time to make things official in the eyes of the law. We’ll submit the required documentation to get a court date. Your adoption attorney will be with you for the hearing, and you’re welcome to invite your friends and family, too. It’s time to celebrate!
This is when you’ll gain legal custody of your baby. At this point your baby’s original birth certificate is sealed, and your attorney will file for a new one. Once the updated birth certificate arrives, you will then be able to apply for a Social Security number.
This is when you’ll gain legal custody of your baby. At this point your baby’s original birth certificate is sealed, and your attorney will file for a new one. Once the updated birth certificate arrives, you will then be able to apply for a Social Security number.
MONTH 6 AND BEYOND
Lifelong support
Six months after placement, there are no more mandatory meetings or check-ins with ASC. But that doesn’t mean we’ll be strangers!
From here on out, our post-placement team is here for the long haul. We love getting pictures of your family and love to hear how your adoption journey is going.
Two easy steps can keep you current with ongoing adoption reform, educational sessions and support services for the entire adoption triad:
View EventsFrom here on out, our post-placement team is here for the long haul. We love getting pictures of your family and love to hear how your adoption journey is going.
Two easy steps can keep you current with ongoing adoption reform, educational sessions and support services for the entire adoption triad:
- Call or email our post-placement team to make sure your information is current
- Follow us on social media on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram
Also, be sure to stay in the know about upcoming events that ASC is hosting for you, your child and your child’s birth mom. Make sure you RSVP for any events you’re interested in so we can get an accurate headcount. We’d love to see you there!
