There are many reasons why you might choose to place your child for adoption. You may not ready to parent a child. Perhaps you want to finish school before you start a family. You want more for your child than you are able to provide at this time. This is never an easy decision, but sometimes, it is best for your child and you.

Making an adoption plan takes courage and maturity. It takes the ability to put your child's needs before yours. We respect the decision you have made to give your child life. In choosing adoption, you further demonstrate your love and concern for your child, and your desire that the child have the best start in life, even if you cannot provide that now.

We are here for you... to listen... to answer your questions... to provide you much-needed emotional, as well as financial support through this critical time in your life.

Take a moment to read through the services we provide birthparents who work with us. Then, if you decide to let us help you find your baby a loving family, please call. We have experienced, knowledgeable adoption professionals waiting to help.

Adoption Services for Birthparents 

all services for birthparents are at no cost

Choice of Adopting Parents

At Alabama Family Adoption Services, your child's adoption is individualized to meet your needs. You can participate in planning your child's adoption. You can:

• Select your child's adoptive family from profiles of families awaiting adoption
  
• Meet the adoptive family, if mutually agreeable
  
• Receive information about your child's adoptive parents
  
• Spend time with your child after birth, if you wish
  
• Give a gift and write a letter to your child and/or to the adoptive family
  
• Receive and send pictures and/or letters about your child after the placement

We also know that for some people it is easier not to know anything about the adopting parents. If this is your wish, it will help you to know that any adoptive parents available to you have approved home studies from Alabama Family Adoption Services before your child is placed with them for adoption.

 At Alabama Family Adoption Services, it is very important that we know all we can about the adoptive family and the atmosphere in which the child will be raised. Not everyone who applies to Alabama Family Adoption Services is accepted; not everyone who undergoes a home study investigation receives our recommendation for the placement of a child. We constantly strive to make sure the adoptive families we do work with will make the best possible parents to a child and that the child will be raised in a happy, secure, loving home.

The home study process is quite extensive. There is a thorough background check of criminal, financial, medical and other relevant information, as well as actual visits in the family's home and interviews with the family, friends, and co-workers. Additionally, each prospective adoptive parent must be cleared through the State Central Registry on Child Abuse/Neglect to assure us they have never been convicted or even accused, of child abuse or neglect.

It is also important for you to know that all adoptive families received extensive, on-going counseling regarding adoption throughout the placement of your child and afterward.

For more information about adoptive parent qualifications, see: General Qualifications for Prospective Adoptive Applicants.

Financial Support

Should you require it, current Alabama law allows us to provide assistance with approved medial expenses associated with your pregnancy and with the birth of your baby. We can also provide assistance with approved reasonable living expenses such as housing, utilities, food and clothing. This assures that you are well taken care of during your pregnancy and receive good prenatal care.

Legal Support

Our trained professional staff includes a reputable attorney with many years of adoption experience. You will educated about the legal process of adoption, and your rights and responsibilities as a birth parent. Alabama Family Adoption Services prides itself on the comprehensive legal work performed on each adoption.

Medical Support

Here at AFAS, your and your child's health are very important to us. We will work with you to ensure that you get the best prenatal care available. Additionally, we will ensure that you and your baby receive the best medical care at the hospital . We will work with you and your physician to make certain that you receive the medical care necessary to recuperate fully after the birth.

Professional Counseling

You will be working with our caring, trained professional counselors. We work with you in strictest confidence, and support your need for privacy. Our counselors will follow you throughout your pregnancy and delivery. We know that your emotional needs will not end with the placement of your child. We will be here for you whenever you need us, as long as you need us. We also offer you the option of meeting with a professional counselor outside the agency at no cost to you, should you feel the need for additional support. There is NO fee for any service, including counseling, provided to a birthparent.

We can answer many more questions for you if you give us a call. The types of questions frequently asked is covered on another webpage. Click here to see many of the questions other birthmothers have asked.