Making the decision to make an adoption plan is a courageous and can be difficult to come to.
You are not alone!

Q: If I chose to make an adoption plan, will my infant end up in foster care?
A: Great question! The answer is an emphatic no.
When biological parents make an adoption plan, the infant immediately goes into the care of their adoptive family, who has been thoroughly vetted and is ready to raise them and be involved for the rest of their lives.

Q: What is the difference between foster care and adoption?
A: Foster care is a state-run system whose goal is to reunite the child(ren) with their biological parents who are deemed by professionals to be unable to provide adequate care. Children in the foster care system are placed with individuals who have been trained and certified by the state to more safely care for the child(ren) during the time that they need care. Foster care is almost always assumed to be a temporary situation and child(ren) are returned to their parents once the state has deemed that they are able to be cared for financially, physically, and socially.

On the other hand, adoption is an arrangement that is made when the biological parents of a child voluntarily give up their rights to a child after they decide that adoption is in the best interest of their child. The level of contact (or openness) that biological parents choose is up to them, and as the biological parent, you get to choose the family your baby will be placed with. You are guaranteed to find a family who would be interested in adopting your child, even if you choose adoption after the baby is born.

Source: Considering Adoption

Adoption Agencies We Have Relationships With

Please note, this list is not exhaustive and there are other agencies in Colorado.

If you need somewhere to meet with an agency (not just those listed above), please reach out at 970.221.5121. We can reserve a room for you at Alpha Center.

What does an adoption agency help with?

You may not know if you want to parent yourself or make an adoption plan yet, and that's okay! Many women don't make a final decision until after the baby is born, and an adoption agency can be there and provide support through each step of the way.

Picking up the phone to talk to an agency does not mean that you are under obligation to go through the adoption process, and you are able to change your mind at any time before the final papers are signed.

If you need a place to meet with a social worker, reach out to us. We are happy to provide a safe place for you to meet.

Pregnancy Support

A Friend For You: Unconditional emotional support, a friend to have coffee with, ask questions, receive support and attend appointments with you if you need it, gifts during and after pregnancy.
970-481-4787
www.afriendforyou.org

Serve 6.8: Serves Northern Colorado families by providing support and mentorship during spiritual or financial crises, food resources, clothing, employment coaching, legal consultation, and money management. www.serve68.org/resource-center

FAQ:

Q: If I chose to make an adoption plan, will my infant end up in foster care?
A: Great question! The answer is an emphatic no.
When biological parents make an adoption plan, the infant immediately goes into the care of their adoptive family, who has been thoroughly vetted and is ready to raise them and be involved for the rest of their lives.

Q: What is the difference between foster care and adoption?
A: Foster care is a state-run system whose goal is to reunite the child(ren) with their biological parents who are deemed by professionals to be unable to provide adequate care. Children in the foster care system are placed with individuals who have been trained and certified by the state to more safely care for the child(ren) during the time that they need care. Foster care is almost always assumed to be a temporary situation and child(ren) are returned to their parents once the state has deemed that they are able to be cared for financially, physically, and socially.

On the other hand, adoption is an arrangement that is made when the biological parents of a child voluntarily decide that adoption is in the best interest of their child. The level of contact (or openness) that biological parents choose is up to them, and as the biological parent, you get to choose the family your baby will be placed with. You are guaranteed to find a family who would be interested in adopting your child, even if you choose adoption after the baby is born.

Source: Considering Adoption

Source: Hope's Promise.

For more questions, contact an adoption agency to speak with a professional, or click the button below to download a list of FAQs for birth fathers and adoptive families answered by Hope's Promise.

Q: When can the mother of the baby start the adoption process?

A: In Colorado there are 2 major parts to adoption. First are the voluntary relinquishment and/or involuntary termination of parental rights; and second, is adoption by adoptive parents. A birth mother can start planning an adoption in her pregnancy. The first step in the relinquishment/termination process for the birth mother generally begins the week following delivery.

Q: Can the birth mother choose the adoptive parents?

A: Yes, she has the choice of whether to choose or not choose an adoptive family.

Q: Can the birth mother see and hold the baby after the birth?

A: Yes, the birth mother has complete parental rights to her child until she releases him/her in a court of law.

Q: What expenses can the adoptive parents pay to or on behalf of the birth mother and child?

A: Medical and living expenses directly related to the pregnancy may be reimbursed by the adoptive parents on behalf of a birth mother. All such expenses must be disclosed in a court of law.

Q: Can a minor mother independently sign legal documents placing the child for adoption (or consent to the adoption)?

A: Yes (Birth father must also voluntarily relinquish or have his parental rights involuntarily terminated).

Q: When does the birth mother actually sign the legal documents required for the adoption?

A: There are two types of voluntary relinquishment in Colorado: traditional and expedited. With traditional relinquishment, the birth mother may sign legal documents at any time following the birth of her child and attend a court hearing to give testimony. With expedited relinquishment, the legal documents may not be filed with the court until at least 4 days after the birth of her child. If approved by the court, expedited relinquishment does not require the birth mother to attend a hearing.

Q: Can the birth mother change her mind before signing the legal consents to the adoption?

A: Yes, the birth mother can change her mind prior to signing legal documents for relinquishment.

Q: Can the birth mother change her mind after signing the legal consents to the adoption?

A: Yes. With traditional relinquishment, the birth mother can change her mind at any time up until a court of law rules on her petition for relinquishment of parental rights. With expedited relinquishment, she may change her mind prior to filing the legal paperwork with a court of law. Once a Final Order of Relinquishment has been signed by a court of law, a birth mother cannot change her mind on either case.

Q: Can a birth mother communicate with the adoptive parents and child after the adoption?

A: Yes, a birth mother can choose the level of openness in her adoption plan; however, at this time, open adoption is not legally enforceable under Colorado Law.

Q: Can a birth mother anonymously surrender a newborn child?

A: Yes, a birth mother may surrender a newborn child to a fire fighter or hospital staff person within 72 hours of the child’s birth.

Q: What happens if the birth parents do not agree that adoption should be the plan?

A: If both parents do not agree, there will be no adoption. If the birth father disagrees with a plan of adoption but has not responded properly to the court about the intent to terminate his parental rights, the court may override his objection. If the birth father has responded properly and objects, there will be no adoption unless the court finds that the birth father:

-Cannot personally assume legal and physical custody of the child, taking into account the child’s age, needs, and individual circumstances;

-Is unfit;

-Has not established a substantial, positive relationship with the child; or

-Has not taken substantial parental responsibility for the child.

In considering termination, the court must give paramount consideration to the physical, mental, and emotional conditions and needs of the child.