
What
is Adoption S.T.A.R.?
 Adoption S.T.A.R. (Support, Training, Advocacy and Resources), a
State Authorized Non-Profit Adoption Agency, is a compassionate
and unique organization. The agency is committed to the best interests
of children and will offer all birth families regardless of race,
health, circumstances, or disability, the option of immediate adoptive
placement for their child. The agency encourages birth parents to
be as involved in the adoption planning as they desire. Adoption
S.T.A.R. is an agency dedicated to maintaining connections between
adoptive families and birth families and offers education and support
with an Open Adoption plan.
What
does Adoption S.T.A.R. offer?
 The agency offers free counseling, education, information, and referrals.
We are committed to making the adoption process easier for you by
offering you support, knowledge, assistance, privacy, confidentiality,
and most importantly, personalized attention.
If
I live far from the agency can you still work with me?
 Yes. We will often be able to help you even if you are in a different
location or a different State. We will identify the laws of the
State you reside in and make sure we comply with all States involved.
We will offer you the same options that local clients have.
Are
you pregnant?
 If you are pregnant, you may find yourself in an overwhelming situation.
Perhaps this was an unplanned pregnancy for you. Maybe you feel
that this is not the right time in your life to begin parenting
a child. Or maybe you have other children, and this child would
be more than you can handle right now. Perhaps this was a planned
pregnancy and you feel, due to certain circumstances, you are unable
to care for your child. Whatever your circumstance, we are here
to help.
Does
the agency only place babies?
 No. We place children of all ages for adoption.
Are
you parenting a child or children already?
 If you are at home raising a child or children, circumstances may
not be what you thought they would be. Events out of your control
may be making it difficult for you to parent your child or children.
These are some of the issues we would explore as you decide whether
to continue parenting or to place your child or children for adoption.
What
happens when I call the agency?
 After getting acquainted with you on the phone, and only if you
are ready, you will be assigned your own caseworker. She will be
available to you at any time. The caseworker will discuss many alternatives
and resources available to you. She will encourage you to be actively
involved in the entire process.
Does
it matter how far along in my pregnancy I am when I call the agency?
 No. We can work with you regardless of how far along you are.
What
if I just gave birth and never called you before, will you still work
with me?
 Yes. It may be a little of a rush, but you will have the same opportunities,
regardless of when you call us.
What
does adoption mean?
 Adoption is the legal process by which permanent custody of a child
is transferred from the birth parents, to the adoptive parents.
It is a legally binding, permanent decision.
What
if I'm not sure about adoption?
 Being unsure is normal. It is a tough decision, and nobody is ever
totally sure. You need to spend time thinking about your decision.
Talk to your caseworker. Talk to your family or friends, if you
are able.
Is
it selfish to place a child for adoption?
 No. Putting your child's welfare ahead of your own is an act of
love and courage. Adoption is very unselfish. It is difficult, hard
to decide; hard to think about, but it can be a truly caring and
truly loving decision.
Will
I feel sad after the placement?
 Yes. This is normal. Your caseworker will be there for you if you
need to talk. After placement you will go through what is called
the "grieving process." Sometimes, seeing pictures and
getting letters from the adopting family can help you through this
process.
Who
places their children for adoption?
 All different types of women -- single and married, of all ages,
backgrounds and circumstances. Women who believe for many different
reasons, emotionally, physically, financially, that adoption is
the best choice for themselves and their child at this point in
their lives.
Who
adopts children?
 All
different people adopt children. Most are married couples, some
are single. Some are childless and some have a child or children
already. All families interested in adopting children must be approved
by the agency. Any family interested in adopting must go through
a training and approval process. Adoptive parents must meet with
social workers, they must go through criminal history and child
abuse checks, they must supply medical and financial information,
and they must show a stable home environment. They must be stable,
responsible, loving, and caring adults.
Can
I choose the adopting family?
 Yes. You can select the family for your child, or we can do so
on your behalf. You can be as involved or non-involved as you like,
from looking at letters and pictures, to meeting with waiting adoptive
families. If you place your child, we offer you continued choices.
Some women like to receive letters and pictures of their children
as they grow, some even continue meeting with the adoptive family,
still others, prefer little or no contact. The choice is yours.
What
does Open Adoption mean?
 Open Adoption represents the joining of two families based on love
and trust. With an open adoption, birth families and adoptive families
will maintain significant ongoing contact after placement. In some
cases this takes the form of sharing non-identifying information
and sometimes it means the full exchange of identifying information
between birth and adoptive families, if all parties are comfortable.
Open Adoption allows birth parents the peace of mind they can only
get by meeting the family who will raise their child into adulthood.
They are given the proper respect for themselves, their decision,
and the important role they play in their child’s life. The
type of adoption you select is a personal decision. It is up to
you whether you feel an open, semi-open or closed open is best for
you and your child.
Will
my child go from one home to another home?
 No! Adoption is the permanent legal process of adding a child to
a family. Your child will be placed with a permanent, loving and
forever family.
How
does the baby get placed?
 Once you give birth in the hospital, it is important that you or
someone close to you gives us a call, and tells a social worker
at the hospital. Once the baby is able to be discharged, an agency
caseworker will pick up the baby from the hospital. The baby will
be immediately placed with the adoptive family. If you are placing
an older child or a child already home from the hospital, we will
work with you to set up the best type of placement for the child.
If
I use cocaine, smoke, or drink can I still place my child for adoption?
 Yes. It is, however, very important that you be honest with us
so that we can identify the best family for your child, and the
best services for you.
What
if my child has a disability?
 Our agency is dedicated to placing children. Including children
born with severe special needs.
Can
I talk to other birth parents that have placed their child?
 Yes. Adoption S.T.A.R. can connect you with birth parents in-person,
via e-mail, or by telephone.
Is
Counseling Available?
 Yes. Our social workers are trained to help you with the difficult
decision you are now faced with. Counseling is an option available
to you at no cost.
What
happens now?
 Whatever ends up being your decision, we are here to help. Give
us a call. We'll set up an appointment to meet you whenever and
wherever you need it to be. If you prefer, we can start by just
sending you some confidential information.
Unplanned pregnancy? Confused? We're here to help.
Please call the agency or email us at
info@adoptionstar.com.
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