Adoption is a complex journey for everyone involved.
If you’re pregnant, it is your choice to explore all of your options. There are many reasons to consider adoption, and you deserve complete support—without judgment—along the way.
Adoption agencies are meant to offer support and guidance, giving the birth mom full autonomy in her decisions. If you’re interested in adopting, it’s important to understand this is not an alternate path to becoming a parent. It’s a unique and complex type of parenthood that needs to be fully explored before committing to a decision.
The adoption process also does not happen overnight. It’s a multi-step process and a long journey to ensure a comfortable life for the adoptee and support for the birth mom. It’s important to start your journey with a modern, ethical adoption agency that can guide you through all the nuances and complexities.
Exploring adoption centers in Indiana and finding the right fit for you is a critical decision. Adoption Support Center provides transparency and honesty along the way, with support for every member involved in this process. Whether you’re an adoptive family, birth mom, or adopted person, we have the resources and support for each milestone, so you can stay informed and empowered.
I Want To Adopt
There are many factors that come into play— flexibility, learning, and a long process—when it comes to adoption. Each adoption is unique in that it serves the birth mom and adoptee’s needs. As you begin this process, it’s important to understand Indiana adoption and how it works. Comprehending the entire process of adoption, specifically Indiana adoption, is imperative before you begin. That’s where an adoption agency like ours can help you find the best path forward.
Modern Adoption
Modern adoption has evolved to celebrate the identity of the adopted person, which is further supported by the triad: the birth mom/family, the adoptee, and the adoptive parents.
The adoptive parents are committing to life-long learning on all things adoption and their child. They are educated on the adopted child’s racial and cultural identity, interwoven into their family’s lives, and they tend to also be open to a relationship with the child’s birth family.
The reality is that open adoptions aren’t black and white. Is your family looking to foster to adopt Indiana? Or are you beginning the process from square one? This journey to adoption looks different for everyone. The best adoption agencies in Indiana understand the intricacies throughout the process and understand each member of the triad needs different kinds of support. So, how does this process begin?
Pre-Placement Timeline: The step-by-step process to begin your journey
Adoption Education: Part 1 – An educational seminar with an intimate group who are also looking to grow their families through adoption. Learn education, stats, and stories, along with general adoption law and agency policies, at this step of the process.
All questions are welcome, and others may be wondering the same thing. Don’t be afraid to ask things like: How much does it cost to adopt a child in Indiana?
The cost of an Indiana adoption is $45,000. This covers costs like marketing, home study, education, expectant mother’s living expenses, all legal fees, and post-placement support.
Getting Registered – Complete new parent registration paperwork.
Adoption Education: Part 2 – Learn more about the adoption process, modern adoption, and cultural diversity from our team with homework. If you’re interested in transracial adoption, you’ll be given additional information.
Adoption Education: Part 3 – You will receive adoption education material to complete independently. This will include but is not limited to a book, a Netflix series, and a virtual meeting with an adult adoptee educator.
Private Coaching and Support – This meeting with one of our team members lasts about an hour and a half. This is your opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and build your confidence as a future adoptive parent.
The Home Study – The final step before becoming active. Prepare for a social worker to be in your home for 2-3 hours getting to know your environment and community.
You’re Active – You’re active! Your family profile page will go active on the featured families page and ASC will start marketing you.
Meeting an Expectant Mom – An expectant mom may view your profile and match your preferences. After expressing interest, ASC will reach out to you and arrange a meeting convenient for the birth mom.
After Your Meeting – ASC will check in on both parties after the meeting, making sure everyone is on the same page. If they are, your adoption coordinator will send a pregnancy plan to everyone, sharing contact information along with tips to maintain your relationship.
Making a Hospital Plan – The expectant mom will share her wishes for her hospital visit with ASC’s coordinator. She may or may not want you there during the birth and after the birth. You’ll get an electronic version of the hospital plan and a call from ASC’s clinical team to discuss any questions or concerns.
Placement – The expectant mom has gone into labor. If she chooses adoption for her child and the baby is healthy to be taken home, the adoptive parents are able to welcome the baby home.
Understanding Policy & Types of Adoption
The legality and regulations of Indiana adoption can seem daunting, so utilizing the best adoption agencies in Indiana can relieve stress and confusion from the process.
There are several steps to ensure the safety of the adoptee and the comfort of the birth mom. In step one of the pre-placement timeline, ASC will go over Indiana DCS Adoption Policy and laws regarding adoption. If you’re discussing an attorney or agency to use during the adoption process, it’s a good idea to consider what you want out of each, as both have a place in the adoption world.
An agency assists you in more than just the legal side, we’re there for questions and support beyond the placement process.
If you’re interested in adoption, understanding the languages and forms of adoption you can go through will help you find the best option for your family. Public adoption in Indiana is the adoption of children in the foster care system. Adoptive parents go through public adoption agencies and are a viable option if, as an adoptive parent, you’re fostering to adopt in Indiana.
A private adoption is also known as an independent or open adoption. Private adoption in Indiana is operated by the adoptive family working directly with the birth mother and going through a privately funded licensed adoption agency, like Adoption Support Center.
The Home Study
A home study is a comprehensive assessment of the prospective adoptive family. It is an essential step in any adoption process to ensure safety and comfort for the prospective adopted person.
Home study adoption for Indiana is a requirement by law. There are several steps to complete the home study and lots of paperwork. Adoption Support Center is fully licensed by the state of Indiana to perform home studies. Types of home studies ASC performs include:
Domestic Infant
Kinship /Guardianship
Step Parent
Embryo
Background Check Clearances Only (available only if the court waives a full home study)
To complete this step of the process, there are several Indiana home study requirements that must be included in the report:
Physical health reports
Financial stability statements
Extensive background checks
Familiar social history
Community resource list
Parenting philosophy
Home safety inspection
The family’s understanding of adoption
Choosing what to do with your pregnancy is your choice. If you find yourself looking at adoption centers in Indiana, finding one that will give you the facts needed, all options, and support along the way is helpful to ensure a smooth pregnancy while you explore your options. Making an adoption plan doesn’t mean you are committing to adoption. Adoption Support Center offers aid for all expectant mothers despite any complications or situations.
Adoption agencies in Indiana’s first priority is making sure you have control and options for you and your baby. As an expectant mother, you have many pregnancy options, and the choice is a personal one. No matter the situation, ASC is here for support. Some situations expectant mothers may be experiencing:
Your baby has already been born – you can still choose adoption.
Your situation is complicated. Adoption is still an option. This may look like:
You have past DCS involvement or an open case
You use or have used substances
You are or have been incarcerated
You have or have had legal issues
You struggle with homelessness
You have long-term medical issues
You’ve already placed a baby for adoption
You already have a family in mind. ASC offers a la carte support. As the birth mom, you are still entitled to legal representation and support.
Considering Adoption?
Finding the best adoption agencies in Indiana to help you on your journey and support your decisions no matter what can ease stress and create a birth plan based on how you want to move forward. If you choose to move forward with adoption, ASC can assist you in how to proceed:
Anyone can place their baby for adoption. Sharing your hopes and fears regarding adoption and the adoptive parents is completely normal. You’ll discuss with ASC which type of adoption is best for you:
Adoption with no-contact
Adoption with contact
Confidential private adoption is also an option. This occurs when using the Safe Haven Baby Box, boxes outside of fire stations and healthcare buildings, where you can safely and anonymously surrender a baby. Private adoption is also viable with ASC. This allows you to have control over who your baby goes to while still remaining anonymous.
As the birth mom, you can select the prospective adoptive family and choose to maintain a relationship with them if you agree to an adoption with contact. ASC adoptive families have completed a thorough home study and are eager to welcome a child into their lives.
If you have decided adoption is the option for you, ASC can help you make a placement plan. This will occur after you’ve met with possible adoptive parents and decided to move forward with the process. The adoptive parents have gone through the pre-placement timeline and are approved to adopt a child in Indiana. After the meeting, you will continue to develop your relationship with the adoptive parents. ASC will continue to offer you support as you consider adoption as well as explore other options.
Support for Birth Moms
Birth moms go through grief. Placing a child for adoption is a difficult decision, there is no wrong way to grieve your loss. Understanding what grief may look like and knowing how to cope can help you navigate these feelings after the adoption process.
Adoption grief counseling for birth moms is a free service at ASC. Provided by qualified, licensed therapists, they help birth moms process the complex feelings after placing a child for adoption. Handling your grief isn’t easy, and it may look different for everyone. You may experience depression and loss. Finding healthy coping methods and counseling can help you understand these emotions.
Support for birth moms is encouraged. Whether you’re interested in counseling, one-on-one, or group support, ASC can help you navigate your feelings as well as your relationship with your adoptive family. Find other moms in similar situations through ASC resources to get the help and support you deserve.
Being an adoptee is part of your identity. It is part of what makes you unique. It’s normal to have questions or want support as you explore your identity. Adoption Support Center offers lifelong support for adoptees including:
Looking for Support?
Adoption Support Center is a modern, ethical adoption agency. You’ll get transparency, honesty, and support during the entire process. Whether you’re an expectant mom, adoptive family, or adopted person, we offer support and resources to navigate the placement journey and beyond! Text or give us a call at 317-255-5916 today.