Making decisions for an unplanned pregnancy can feel overwhelming, especially if you aren’t sure what you want to do. In order to make the most informed choice possible, you’ll need access to unbiased, accurate information about each of your options. As a trusted adoption agency for more than 30 years, Adoption Advocates can help you learn more about open adoption, but that’s not all. As part of our conversations, we’ll discuss all of your options with you, so that you can feel confident in the choice you make.
Clients in McKinney, Allen and surrounding areas in Texas, are served by adoption specialist, Shaelynn Wolfe.
Call: (972) 284-0027
Text (Expectant Parents Only): (972) 914-8490
Email: [email protected]
Services Offered for Expectant Parents
Placing a Baby for Adoption in McKinney
Unsure about how to get started with the adoption process? The first step is to call or text an adoption specialist to discuss your situation and get answers to your questions. After that, if you’re ready to take the next step, your adoption specialist will schedule a time to meet with you to complete paperwork so you can officially become a client – but don’t worry! You are not committed to placing your baby for adoption; that won’t happen until at least 48 hours after your baby is born. Once we can begin providing services, your counselor will help you create an adoption plan, hospital plan and provide profiles of adoptive families for you to choose from.
Ready to get started? Call or text now to start exploring adoption with Adoption Advocates.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It’s OK not to be sure about adoption right away. This is a really important decision! Take as much time as you need. Your adoption specialist will discuss all of your options with you — without pressure or judgment. Our goal is to provide support and answers, so that you can make an informed decision.
After speaking to an adoption specialist, you may decide that adoption is not right for you. That’s OK too. If you decide to parent, Adoption Advocates can direct you to resources to provide assistance during your pregnancy and your child’s early years.
No. Adoption Advocates offers all services for expectant parents, including counseling and legal services, free of cost.
As a licensed adoption agency in Texas, we may be able to provide financial assistance for pregnancy-related expenses while you make an adoption plan. Your adoption specialist can discuss your situation with you to see how much assistance you may be eligible for.
An open adoption means that you get to choose the adoptive parents, and you can maintain some degree of contact with them. In an open adoption, you will always be honored as the child’s birth parent, because that’s who you are. In almost all adoption plans, the adoptive parents provide pictures and letters and exchange phone calls with birth parents. Depending on the relationship that develops between you and your adoptive parents, sometimes there is visitation. The most important thing to remember is that an open adoption is what the participants jointly decide that it should be. Open adoption is an informal agreement based on trust and respect.
Yes, you can move forward with an adoption plan. Although things will move faster, you will still have the same rights and ability to make choices that an expectant mother does. An adoption specialist will visit you to answer your questions, help you complete paperwork, share waiting family profiles and discuss a post-placement plan. You will receive counseling and support after relinquishment as well, for as long as you choose.
Here’s a look at what to expect with the adoption process if your baby has already been born:
GET IN TOUCH: Reach out to us by calling (512) 477-1122 or texting (512) 270-8415. If you’re still in the hospital, you can ask the hospital’s social worker to help you get in touch with us. We already work with many hospital social workers throughout Texas.
MEET WITH A SPECIALIST: An experienced adoption specialist will visit you as soon as possible, usually within a few hours. She will explain your options, the different types of adoption and what comes next. After learning more about adoption, you’ll decide if you want to move forward with placing your baby for adoption.
MAKE CHOICES: If you’re ready, you’ll begin making choices for you and your baby’s future. You’ll need to decide if you want an open, semi-open or closed adoption. You can start looking at adoptive family profile books and choose one. If you do not want to choose the family, the agency can select for you. Remember, you are still in control of all of your choices.
SIGN PAPERWORK: If you’re sure about adoption and it’s been at least 48 hours since the baby was born, you’ll sign the relinquishment papers. Your chosen adoptive family will be able to take the baby home as soon as the hospital discharges him or her.
The adoption process moves quickly after a baby is born, and 48 hours may not be enough time for you to make a decision. Signing the relinquishment papers is permanent, so you need to be certain this is the right step for you. If you need more time, we can arrange for short-term interim care (also known as cradle care) after your baby is released from the hospital. You’ll be able to continue exploring your options and spend time with your baby before you make a final decision. Even though your relationship with Adoption Advocates began after your baby was born, we hope it doesn’t end there. Many women experience difficult emotions, including grief and sadness, after placement. We’re here to help you through those emotions with adoption counseling for as long as you need, at no cost to you.
Parents who adopt from Adoption Advocates are educated to respect the special bond between the child and the birth family. By knowing you and receiving information from you, they can raise the child that knows where they came from. Although open adoption agreements are not legally enforceable in Texas, chances are that you will choose a family who you like and trust, and they will be committed to honoring their agreement with you.
Pregnancy can be a challenging time for many women, and it’s even more stressful if you weren’t planning for it. Luckily, there are resources in McKinney that can help. From free or low-cost pregnancy tests to Labor & Delivery hospitals, these organizations can help support you through the process. And if you don’t currently have health care, you may qualify for Texas Pregnancy Medicaid that can pay for your pregnancy-related health care costs.
McKinney Pregnancy Testing & Family Planning
Hope Women’s Center
206 S Kentucky St.
McKinney, TX 75069
Phone: (972) 562-4673
Visit website
Real Options
1776 W. McDermott Dr. Suite 100
Allen, TX 75013
Phone: (972) 424-5144
Make an appointment online
McKinney Prenatal Care & Hospitals
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney
Lake Forest Drive
McKinney, TX 75071
(800) 422-9567
Website
Medical City McKinney
4500 Medical Center Dr
McKinney, TX 75069
Phone: (972) 547-8000
Website
Additional Resources
Texas Health & Human Services Benefits Office
901 N McDonald St, Ste 800
McKinney, TX 75069
Apply Online
Benefit Programs: SNAP, TANF, Medicaid for families and children
McKinney WIC
Collin County Health Care Servics
825 North McDonald St, Suite 120
McKinney, TX 75069
(972) 548-5543
Apply online
City House
830 Central Parkway East, Suite 350
Plano, TX 75074
(972) 424-4626
Get Help
Transitional living and emergency shelter
ADVICE FROM A BIRTH MOTHER
No matter where the baby ends up, people will often feel obligated to tell you to do what they feel is right or what you “should” do. Only you know what is right for you, and what’s right for what’s growing inside you.
Sarah D. | BIRTH MOTHER
Take the First Step Now
Ready to get started? Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch to discuss your situation and see how we can help. You can also reach out directly to our McKinney adoption specialist Shaelynn by calling (972) 284-0027.
