Considering Adoption?

For Expecting Parents

If you're an expecting parent considering adoption in Texas, there are services and resources to support you through the process.

Adoption Placement

If you’re considering adoption placement, understanding the steps involved can help you make the best decision for you and your child. Here’s what to expect:

• Referral to adoption professionals. Connect with knowledgeable professionals who can provide detailed information and support.
• Making an adoption plan. Decide on the level of openness you desire and select the adoptive family based on your preferences.
• Choosing adoptive parents. In open adoptions, you can view profiles and meet prospective adoptive parents. In confidential adoptions, the agency may select a family based on your preferences.
• Birth and placement. Discuss any additional time you may want with your child post-birth, as the baby is typically placed with the adoptive family shortly after birth.
• Relinquishment and consent. Understand your rights regarding the revocation period during which you can reconsider your decision.
• Post-adoption support. Continue receiving counseling and support. Depending on the openness of the adoption, maintain contact with your child and the adoptive family. You can also get more information about postpartum support for birth mothers through Thriving Texas Families or Maternal Behavioral Health.

Open vs. Closed Adoption

When expecting parents or birth mothers consider adoption, they can choose between open or closed adoption, or something in the middle. This choice determines the level of contact with the child and the adoptive family after the adoption.

Open adoption can let birth parents and the adoptive family keep talking and sharing information. They may also visit each other and keep in touch regularly, which can help build a personal relationship between the birth family and the child. It's also possible to have a semi-open adoption, where there is more mediation between the parties and more limited contact.

Closed adoption involves little or no talking or sharing of information between the birth parents and the adoptive family. People might consider closed adoption for personal situations or to maintain privacy. Once a closed adoption is complete, it may not be possible for the birth family, adoptive family or the child to make contact.

Ultimately, birth parents must choose whether an open, semi-open or closed adoption is best to support their emotional well-being and the future of the child. Contact an adoption agency to learn more about the available options and what rights you have in an open adoption.

Financial Help for Birth Mothers

From prenatal care to labor and delivery, pregnancy can be expensive. While birth mothers can't receive payment for adoption, they can receive help with essential living and medical expenses.

You may be eligible for assistance with pregnancy-related expenses. This can include housing, medical care and legal fees. To learn more about financial support options, contact your adoption agency.

For Prospective Adoptive Parents

Requirements

Prospective adoptive parents, whether single or married, must meet certain criteria to ensure the well-being of the adopted child. Basic requirements may include:

• Being at least 21 years old, financially stable, and a responsible mature adult.
• Completing an application and sharing information regarding your personal background and lifestyle.
• Providing relative and non-relative references.
• Agreeing to a home study that includes visits with all household members.
• Completing a criminal history background check and an abuse and neglect check on all adults in the household.

Depending on the type of adoption, there may be additional requirements or training.

Responsibilities

Adoptive parents have a lifelong commitment to their child. This responsibility includes:

• Providing a permanent home and lifelong commitment to children into adulthood.
• Providing for the short-and long-term needs of the children.
• Addressing emotional, mental, physical, social, educational and cultural needs according to each child's developmental age and growth.

The Adoption Process

Adopting a child takes time. The adoption process prepares adoptive families for their new responsibility and ensures the well-being and best interests of the child. Understanding each phase can help prospective adoptive parents navigate the process with clarity and purpose.

When adopting a child, you can generally expect to go through these steps:

• Orientation
• Home study
• Matching
• Pre-placement
• Placement and post-placement supervision
• Adoption finalization
• Post-adoption counseling