Birthparent Counseling
If you are pregnant and considering placing your child for adoption, Graceworks Lutheran Services can help.Working With Your Social Worker
Our experienced social workers are trained to provide supportive, non-judgmental counseling to pregnant women, their families, and support persons. There is no fee for this service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our experienced social workers will:
- Share information about adoption and parenting
- Answer your questions
- Provide free counseling to help you decide what to do
- Assist you in finding good prenatal care
- Help you talk with your family and the baby's father
- Support you in whatever decision you make.
If You Decide To Make an Adoption Plan
The professionals at Graceworks will help you facilitate your adoption plan. You have choices such as selecting the family to parent your child and the amount of contact you would like to have before and after the placement. You can choose the adoptive family you feel best matches your criteria and your child’s needs.
In recent years the practice of adoption has changed and usually includes some level of contact between the birthparents and the adoptive family. Your social worker can guide you in deciding how much contact you would like to have with the adoptive family. Although openness in adoption is not legally binding, your social worker will assist you in negotiating a comfortable level of contact after the placement.
We will help you understand the legal issues of adoption in Ohio and your rights and responsibilities as the child’s birthparent. In most cases, you can complete the necessary paperwork confidentially without going to court.
Our Adoptive Families
Graceworks’ experienced social workers carefully screen prospective adoptive families before approving them to adopt a child. The families are required to attend pre-adoption education classes and participate in an adoptive family assessment, or home study. Graceworks family assessments meet the high standards of the State of Ohio. After adoption is completed, the family continues to receive support and education.
Post-Placement Services
We believe that adoption is a lifelong process for everyone touched by adoption. Therefore, we offer counseling, education, and support for birthmothers as needed throughout their lives.
If You Decide To Parent
If you decide that parenting is the best decision for you and your baby, Graceworks will help you access federal, state, and community resources designed to assist you in caring for your baby. We can provide helpful child development information and refer you to appropriate parenting classes. We want to make sure that, whatever you decide, your child gets a healthy start in life.
You are making a very important decision for you and your baby. You are not alone. We are here to help.