Frequently Asked Questions For Perspective Adoptive Parents

WHAT IS A HOME STUDY OR PRE-PLACEMENT STUDY?  

The Home Study or Pre-Placement Study is a complete family assessment designed to evaluate the stability of a prospective adoptive family. An approved Home Study is a requirement to adopt within the state of New Mexico. At a minimum, each family assessment includes two to three meetings in the family home. Meetings include one joint interview with the entire prospective adoptive family and individual interviews with each family member.

 

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE ASSESSMENT?

Prior to the interview portion of the assessment, prospective adoptive parent(s) must submit required documentation that includes medical examinations, reference checks, employment, financial verification, and verification of marriages, births, and divorces. You must also complete a criminal background check and New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) Abuse and Neglect Check.  

  

WILL THERE NEED TO BE MORE THAN ONE HOME STUDY COMPLETED DURING THIS ADOPTION PROCESS?

According to New Mexico state law, your completed and approved Home Study is good for one year from the date of completion. A Home Study Update will be conducted one year from the Home Study completion date. The Home Study Update is less extensive than the initial Home Study but does include meetings with the All Faiths Adoption Services staff. You will also need to update your Criminal Background Check, CYFD Abuse and Neglect Checks, medical clearances, and pet vaccinations as they expire. We will notify you 2 months prior to the expiration of your Home Study to ensure you have adequate time to update all required documentation.

 

HOW DOES A BIRTHMOTHER/FATHER SELECT OUR FAMILY?

Many birth parents choose to have a role in the selection of the prospective adoptive family. All Faiths Adoption Services provides guidance to birth parents throughout the selection process. In order to facilitate selection, a perspective adoptive family provides a photo album/profile book that we will use to present to birth parents. Prospective adoptive families are supported with information on how to create an album/profile book. The book includes photographs and information about your family. The completed profiles are presented to birth parents who are considering an adoption plan for their child.

On rare occasions, a birth parent will specifically request that All Faiths Adoption Services identify the prospective adoptive family for their child. When this happens, a match with a family will be determined by utilizing criteria that the birth parent/s has provided to us, along with information we have about our prospective adoptive families.

 

WHAT IS A MATCH MEETING?

When a birth parent selects a family they would like to meet, All Faiths Adoption Services Staff will schedule and facilitate a Match Meeting between the birth family and the prospective adoptive family. Several topics are covered during Match Meetings, such as openness to continued contact, family traditions, child-rearing beliefs and practices, and any other issues of concern to the birth family or prospective adoptive family.

  

HOW LONG WILL WE HAVE TO WAIT TO BE MATCHED?

There is no typical wait time. We cannot know when prospective adoptive parent(s) will be selected by a birth parent. It is possible for a family to be selected by a birth parent within days of having their approved Home Study completed, or to wait for a period up to two years.  All Faiths Adoption Services staff offers support and encouragement throughout your wait time.

 

CAN WE LIST WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO FIND A CHILD?

Yes, you can be a waiting family with All Faiths Adoption Services and other private adoption agencies at the same time. This does not include families who are currently providing foster care or waiting to adopt with the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD).

 

DO WE NEED THE SERVICES OF AN ATTORNEY? 

Yes. We can provide you with a list of attorneys who are well versed in adoption law. Feel free to request this ahead of time, and call to inquire about the fees and services provided. Attorney fees are independent of adoption services fees, and each attorney sets their own rate. The birth parents will also need to obtain an attorney. Please speak with your Adoption Services Staff and let them know which attorney you are going to be working with; so that we can ensure that each family is working with a different attorney.

 

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE BABY IS BORN?

Most often, the baby transitions into the adoptive family’s home directly from the hospital. In some cases, an infant enters Cradle Care and then are placed with their adoptive family a few days later.

 

WHAT ROLE DOES ALL FAITHS ADOPTION SERVICES HAVE WHEN THE BABY IS BORN?

All Faiths Adoption Services staff is typically present at the hospital to help facilitate relationships between the biological family, adoptive family, hospital staff and attorneys. 

 

WHAT ARE POST PLACEMENT SERVICES?

Upon the birth of the baby, New Mexico state law requires post-adoption supervision for three to six months after placement. The first visit will be within 72 hours of placement. After that, All Faiths Adoption Services staff will schedule monthly in person visits until finalization. Additional visits or referrals may be required in certain cases. All required reports will be submitted to the court prior to finalization and will remain a permanent part of the case record.

 

Frequently Asked Questions For Birth Parents

 

WHY MAY ADOPTION BE A GOOD CHOICE FOR ME?

  • Right now, I am not equipped or ready to be a parent; it is not fair to me or to my baby.

  • I am not financially or emotionally ready to be a parent, I want this baby to have what I cannot yet give.

  • I love this baby and will do the best thing for him/her, because I know I cannot give him/her the life she/he deserves.

 

WHAT KIND OF EMOTIONS CAN I EXPECT?

You can expect a full range of emotions from joy, to grief and loss. Our Adoption Services Staff work closely with birth parents throughout their adoption experience and are ready to assist you on your personal journey.

 

HOW ARE ADOPTIVE PARENTS APPROVED FOR ADOPTION?

Adoptive parents are approved through the process of a Home Study, which is a complete family assessment. Home Studies are designed to measure safety and stability and include a home inspection, background checks, and other verification of identities, character, lifestyle and personal histories. Prospective adoptive parents go through extensive interviews to ensure they are physically, financially and emotionally capable of parenting and can provide a stable and loving home for your baby.

 

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF ADOPTION FOR A BIRTH PARENT?

First, we invite you to speak with our Adoption Services Staff about your options, to assist you with determining the best choice for you and your baby. You can reach us via e-mail at info@afadoptions.org, or by phone at (505) 313-1641.

If you decide to proceed with a plan of adoption, an All Faiths Adoption Staff will work closely with you to provide support along the way. During the process, you may view our approved prospective adoptive families’ profiles. Know that all prospective adoptive families are thoroughly screened and evaluated. You will be able to meet with them if you choose to. Once an adoptive family is identified, they can have as much or as little involvement in the pregnancy as you are comfortable with. 

You will consult with an attorney regarding your legal rights during the adoption process. This legal consultation is free of charge to you. After the baby is born, you will go to court with your attorney and All Faiths Adoption staff. This court experience is not the same for birth parents as it is for someone who has broken the law. The judges we work with hold birth parents in high regard and understand that you have chosen to do what is best for your baby at the expense of your own feelings. The judges want to ensure that you have been made aware of your rights and that you are certain of your decision to relinquish your rights as a parent.  We will be there to support you through this process.

Pregnancy-related financial assistance is available and is determined based on an assessment of need. All Faiths Adoption Services staff can provide you with more information regarding this. If you want to come in for support and/or counseling for the next 18 years, we will welcome you with open arms. We will not leave you alone to deal with your feelings after the baby is born. If you have chosen an open adoption plan, you will begin to receive letters and pictures of the baby.  

 

WHAT CHOICES DO I HAVE IN THE ADOPTION PLAN?

  • Complete confidentiality, if desired.

  • You can select the adoptive family for your child, or ask All Faiths Adoption Services staff to assist you.

  • You can meet the adoptive family if you choose.

  • You may involve the adoptive family in the pregnancy and birth if you want.

  • You choose your prenatal care, your physician and hospital, your birthing plan and amount of time you want to spend with your child in the hospital.

  • You will receive as much supportive counseling as you wish during the adoption process.

  • You will receive specific preparation for the birth and the adoption.

  • You may receive some financial support and help for housing, childcare, and pregnancy-related needs during the adoption process.

  • You will receive birthing support if you wish.

  • We will interface with the medical staff to help your birthing and adoption plan go smoothly.

  • You will receive independent legal counsel to ensure your legal rights are protected, free of charge.

  • You may request letters, pictures, and/or some level of structured visits with the adoptive family after the adoption.

  • You may receive as much counseling related to the adoption as you wish, free of charge, until the child is 18 years of age.

  • You will have an identified All Faiths Adoption Services staff working directly with you.

  • You will have access to Adoption Services staff 24 hours/day; 7 days/week.

 

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE HOSPITAL AND AFTER?

At the hospital, the birth mother determines which persons are present during her labor and delivery. You will also be able to decide when and how you want to see the baby. Normally, the baby will be kept in the labor and delivery room with you for the recovery period, about two hours. If you desire, the baby may be placed in another room with the adoptive parents. After the recovery period, the baby is usually taken to the nursery for a bath and a full assessment. This takes place as you are being moved to your hospital room.

You and the baby will normally be kept for 24-48 hours for a vaginal delivery and about 3 days for a C-section. You often have some say in how long you stay unless there are complications. During that time, you may see the baby as much as you are comfortable with. When the physician gives permission, you will be discharged from the hospital. Sometimes the physician will allow you to discharge early, due to the plan of adoption. You may wish to say goodbye to the baby and/or the adoptive parents. You may wish to take pictures and you may take as many as you like. You may not wish to do any of these things. Just be sure that you get what you need by communicating with All Faiths Adoption Services staff, hospital staff and adoptive parents.

 

WHAT  IS AN OPEN ADOPTION?

There are many aspects of open adoption, from meeting the adoptive family before the baby is born to involving them in the prenatal doctor visits, to ongoing communication after the adoption process has been finalized.  

Most open adoptions consist of letters describing how the child is doing, and pictures of the child. You may request to receive letters and pictures until the child turns 18. You may request letters and pictures, even if you wish your identity to be kept confidential. 

Some birth parents request structured visitation after the baby is born. There may be a one-time visit or more. These visits are at a neutral location, along with the adoptive family.

You may determine what level of openness you would like if any. Some birth parents do not wish to have any openness. This is completely understandable, and your choice.