• 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?