Pregnant?
If you are pregnant and considering adoption, the staff at Family & Children’s Agency can help you understand your choices without feeling pressure to make any specific decision. Contacting Family & Children’s Agency does not mean that you have to make an adoption plan – we will help you create the plan that you feel is best for you and your baby.
This service is available free of charge, and every call is confidential. Whatever you decide, we can help you obtain the resources you will need, such as:
- Medical Care
- Financial Assistance
- Counseling
- Maternity Clothing
- Interim Care
If you decide to parent your child, our Child & Family Development programs can be an ongoing resource and provide parenting education and support so you and your baby can thrive. Click here for more information about these programs.
If you decide to make an adoption plan, we are experienced in adoption planning in Connecticut and New York and can help you understand the process and your rights.
You can tell us what you are looking for in an adoptive family for your child, and we will help to find the right family. You will want to consider lifestyle, location, religion, personalities, interests, and whether there are other children in the family. You can also decide if you want to meet the family, and how much information you want to share with them.
Coming to terms with your feelings about adoption is an important personal process. You may want to continue counseling in the months after you have given birth, and FCA can connect you with those services. We can facilitate communication between birth and adoptive parents so you can be kept informed of your child's development and well-being. Our birth parent and adoption counselors work closely together to ensure the best plan is made for you and your baby. At FCA, we view adoption as a lifelong process, and we’re committed to helping you find the solution and support you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are pregnant and considering adoption, the birth parent counselors at Family & Children’s Agency can arrange to meet with you at a time and place convenient for you. It helps to have someone to talk to who can help you think about all of your options without feeling pressured to make any specific decision.
We understand that you have a lot of questions. Rest assured our staff is here to help you understand the process. We have compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions we receive. If you still have questions after reading our FAQs, feel free contact us at 203-855-8765 or email Margaret Woglom, Assistant Director, Adoption & Early Childhood.
Family & Children’s Agency believes in a caring approach that is concerned with the needs and rights of all parties involved as we work to create safe and permanent plans for children. We view adoption as a lifelong process where we work to support all members of the adoption triad – birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees.
FCA counselors are neutral, compassionate, and informative. A birth parent counselor will come to meet you where you are and help you explore all of your options. There is no charge for this counseling. Our birth parent counselors may help you find some resources or support that you had not thought of.
Coming to Family & Children’s Agency does not mean you have to plan an adoption. We want you to take the time to find the best solution for your own situation. Regardless of your decision, we will help you obtain the resources you need, such as housing, medical care, and financial assistance. The choice is yours. You do not need to commit to an adoption plan to make use of Family & Children’s Agency's birth parent counseling services.
Yes. Your counselor will help you decide what is important to you in an adoptive family. You will be able to view profile albums created by prospective adoptive families waiting to adopt.
Some pregnant women who come to Family & Children’s Agency have already made a connection to a family with whom they want to place their baby. In that instance, we can help complete the adoption process in a supportive and safe environment.
If you do not have insurance to pay your medical bills or are entitled to a government subsidy, we will help you make those arrangements to ensure your bills are covered, whether you decide to place the baby in adoption or not.
If you choose adoption, your our-of-pocket medical costs pertaining to your pregnancy will be paid through the adoption process.
Yes. According to State laws, you are able to receive some financial support.
Your counselor will help you make a hospital plan that feels comfortable for you. Your counselor will be at the hospital to be a support and advocate for you and your baby.
Remember that you have choices. You may want some more time to think about your decision. You may decide to have the baby stay with one of our interim care families until you are absolutely certain that you are ready to relinquish your parental rights. Or, if you and the adoptive parents are really clear on your decision, you may want to place the baby with the adoptive parents from the hospital. Whatever you decide, our birth parent counselors will be there to help.
You remain your baby's legal guardian until you have decided to sign the papers to voluntarily terminate your parental rights and the documents are reviewed by a judge. Your parental rights are not terminated until the day of a hearing set by the court. Your counselor will be there to support you through each step of the process.
The law requires the father to be notified of your plan to place the child for adoption. Expectant fathers are also offered counseling and support throughout the process. We understand that your relationship may be sensitive and we will help each of you through this.
If you are over the age of 18, all of our work together is confidential. The law requires we talk to the legal guardian of birth parents under the age of 18.
Yes. The majority of adoptions today are considered "open," which includes the sharing of information and ongoing contact. The goal of Family & Children's Agency is to create a fluid plan that works best for all parties involved in each adoption.
Family & Children’s Agency is a private, non-profit human service agency with more than 75 years of experience in serving the needs of children, families, adults, and seniors through various programs and services.
We provide services to expectant parents considering adoption, couples or singles seeking to adopt, and supportive counseling for families formed by adoption. Our clients span all races and religions.