• Welcome
• Opening Prayer
• Cell phones, Restrooms, etc.
• Program Overview
INFANT ADOPTION ORIENTATION AGENDA
Bethany Christian Services
manifests the love and
compassion of Jesus Christ
by protecting and enhancing
the lives of children and
families through quality
social services.
BETHANY’S MISSION STATEMENT
• Began in 1944 in Grand Rapids, MI
• National network of offices, COA accredited
• More than 75 locations nationwide
• More than 33,000 children have joined their
forever families
HISTORY OF BETHANY
• Date began
• Programs offered
• Placement numbers
HISTORY OF THIS BRANCH
• Domestic Infant Adoption
• Intercountry Adoption
• Older Child Adoption
• Embryo Adoption
TYPES OF ADOPTION
• THEN: Secretive
~ No contact
~ Agency-controlled
• NOW: Openness
~ Birthfamily selects
~ Every child is adoptable
~ Adoption is discussed
~ Adoption recognized as a lifelong process
~ Internet
ADOPTION: THEN AND NOW
• Bethany’s eligibility requirements:
~ Both adoptive parents are active members
of a Christian church
• State eligibility requirements:
~ Application
~ Assessment
~ Paperwork requirements
~ Interview, home visit
• Family portal• Approval
(continued)
ADOPTION PROCESS
(continued)
• Profile/Web
• Wait
• Role of birthparent selection
• Pass-through costs
• Selection and meeting
• Preparing for placement
ADOPTION PROCESS
• Placement options
• Legal risk
• Relinquishment
• Birthfather issues
• Post-placement supervision
• Finalization
PLACEMENT/LEGAL ISSUES
• Defining continuum of options
~ Open
~ Semi-open
~ Closed
• Benefits of openness
~ Child
~ Families (birth and adoptive)
• Openness = relationship = trust
OPENNESS IN ADOPTION
• Who are they?
• What are their reasons?
• Best interest of the child
• Myths about birthmothers
• Counseling is client-centered and needs-based
• They participate in and drive the process
BIRTHMOTHERS
LETTING GO VIDEO
• Healthy newborns
• Babies with special placement needs
• Babies with possible challenges based
on prenatal or genetic histories
CHILDREN AVAILABLE
• Branch-specific fee schedule
• What the fee covers
• Benefits
FEES
• Tax credits
• Bethany loan
• www.bethany.org/financingadoption
FINANCING ADOPTION
• All adoptive placements, like all other
services, are supported by some level of
donation dollars
• Bethany is committed to social services
for children and families here and abroad
• Bethany families become part of Bethany’s
worldwide ministry
BETHANY IS MORE THAN AN ADOPTION
AGENCY
www.bethany.org
QUESTIONS?