Opening Prayer

1
INFANT ADOPTION
ORIENTATION AGENDA

• Welcome
• Opening Prayer
• Cell phones, Restrooms, etc.
• Program Overview

2
BETHANYS MISSION
STATEMENT

• 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.

3
HISTORY OF BETHANY

• 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

4
HISTORY OF THIS BRANCH

• Date began
• Programs offered
• Placement numbers

5
TYPES OF ADOPTION

• Domestic Infant Adoption
• Intercountry Adoption
• Older Child Adoption
• Embryo Adoption

6
ADOPTION THEN AND
NOW

• THEN Secretive No contact
  Agency-controlled
• NOW Openness Birthfamily selects Every
  child is adoptable Adoption is discussed
  Adoption recognized as a lifelong process
  Internet

7
ADOPTION PROCESS

• Bethanys 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)

8
ADOPTION PROCESS

• (continued)
• Profile/Web
• Wait
• Role of birthparent selection
• Pass-through costs
• Selection and meeting
• Preparing for placement

9
PLACEMENT/LEGAL ISSUES

• Placement options
• Legal risk
• Relinquishment
• Birthfather issues
• Post-placement supervision
• Finalization

10
OPENNESS IN ADOPTION

• Defining continuum of options Open
  Semi-open Closed
• Benefits of openness Child Families
  (birth and adoptive)
• Openness relationship trust

11
BIRTHMOTHERS

• 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

12
LETTING GO VIDEO
13
CHILDREN AVAILABLE

• Healthy newborns
• Babies with special placement needs
• Babies with possible challenges based on
  prenatal or genetic histories

14
FEES

• Branch-specific fee schedule
• What the fee covers
• Benefits

15
FINANCING ADOPTION

• Tax credits
• Bethany loan
• www.bethany.org/financingadoption

16
BETHANY IS MORE THAN AN
ADOPTION AGENCY

• 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 Bethanys
  worldwide ministry

17
QUESTIONS?
www.bethany.org