Adoption Consultants, Inc.
Birth Parent Line:
1-800-605-4588
(1-800-605-4LUV)
Adoptive Parents:
(818) 766-2222
Adoption Consultants, Inc.
E-mail: info@adoptionconsultantsinc.com
Contractual Facilitation Program
CONTRACTUAL FACILIATION PROGRAM
(Recommended program for maximum exposure to birthmothers)
***Adoption Consultants, Inc. strongly believes our Contractual Facilitation Program stands well above the
rest! To view a comparison chart as to how this program excels compared to other facilitation programs,
Click: Comparison Chart***
At Adoption Consultants, Inc. you are provided with guidance throughout your entire adoption
journey, from initial consultation and informational gathering, through the finalization process.
The office can assist in coordinating key elements which we believe are vital to a successful
adoption plan. Prospective adopting parents may benefit from the following general facilitation
services listed below, although services may vary from case to case.
Initial consultation/interview with adoptive parents and explanation of the adoption process in
general and Adoption Consultants, Inc.'s services;
General advertising, including Yellow Page advertising reaching into hundreds of communities with a population
exceeding several million people, and Internet presence, to locate birthmothers;
Outreach program in connection with the routine domestic adoption of one child or sibling group;
Distribution of our very own Adoption Book of Waiting Families to organizations who assist pregnant women as part of the office's current outreach program;
Individual counseling to assist you in determining what criteria is important to you in creating your adoption plan;
Individual counseling to assist you in creating a profile (Dear Birthmother Letter) and/or photo album not only unique
to yourselves, but eye-catching to a birthmother;
Assistance in drafting your birthmother letter and selection of accompanying photographs;
Guidance in preparation of adoptive parents’ questionnaires and other necessary information;
Adoption education, guidance and emotional support for both you and your birthmother;
Screening, accessing and evaluating potential birthmothers, including comprehensive in-depth intake of birthmother
to help determine interest in adoption and commitment level to an adoption plan, as well as explanation of the adoption
process to the birthmother;
Obtaining confirmation of pregnancy;
Request signed and dated Authorization for Release of Medical Records document from birthmother allowing access
to a birthmother’s medical and health records;
Request applicable available medical records concerning birthmother and child;
Presentation of birthmother letter and/or photo album to potentially suitable birthmothers;
In-person meeting with birth parent(s), if possible;
Obtaining available medical/health and psychosocial information on birth parent(s) and child as provided to Adoption Consultants, Inc. from birth parent(s) questionnaires;
Remittance of birth parent(s) background information and available applicable medical records to adoptive parents
for review and evaluation;
Arranging, or assisting in arranging, for birthmother to speak with an adoption attorney and/or agency;
Request birthmothers be tested for drugs/alcohol and HIV/AIDS;
Facilitating the “mutual match” between adoptive parents and birthmother;
Coordinate initial telephone contact between adoptive parents and birth parent(s);
Provide assistance to adoptive parents in communicating with birthmothers, such as what questions to ask
and possible “red flags.”
In office initial meeting between adoptive parents and birth parent(s), if requested;
Provide written confirmation of the “mutual match” between adoptive parents and birthmother to adoptive parents;
Guidance to adoptive parents in arranging for a Home Study, if requested;
Assist adoptive parents and/or birthmother with information concerning housing arrangements, food, clothing,
medical physicians, child birth classes, therapeutic therapists, and government programs such WIC, Cash-Aid,
Medi-Cal/Medi-Caid/Access, as requested;
Provide attorney/agency with available health/medical and psychosocial information on birth parent(s) as provided to
Adoption Consultations, Inc. from birth parent(s) questionnaires;
Passing onto adoptive parent’s and birthmother’s attorney(s) of any pertinent or desired information;
Adoption Consultants, Inc. will communicate all pertinent information on developments Adoption Consultants, Inc. is
aware of to adoptive parents;
Discuss with birthmother and adoptive parents birthmother’s preferences during her hospital stay;
Alert appropriate hospital departments of birthmother’s preferences during her stay;
Interface with appropriate hospital staff, including hospital social worker and attending nurse, throughout
birthmother’s stay to help facilitate and assure a smooth transition at the hospital for both adoptive
parents and birthmother;
Attendance at hospital by an Adoption Consultants, Inc. Adoption Advisor following birth of child, unless distance
or circumstances preclude attendance;
Provide on-going support and guidance post-birth and post-placement to adoptive parents and birthmother
throughout the adoption process;
Offer birthmother peer counseling and support from other birthmothers who have previously placed their
children for adoption;
On-going communication with birthmother following birth for a long a time period as birthmother desires.
Additional Detailed Information
General Adoption Advertising and Nationwide Outreach:
Adoption Consultants, Inc.'s general advertising is focused and concentrated 100% on locating
potential birth mothers. In addition to Yellow Page advertising and Internet presence, we also
utilize an outreach program to help locate birthmothers. Additionally, the office visits facilities
birthmothers may contact for assistance such as hospitals, medical and community facilities to
ensure they are aware of the services this office provides to birthmothers, and that they have an
ample supply of our materials on hand to share with birthmothers who are exploring their options.
As part of Adoption Consultants, Inc.'s current outreach program, our very own Adoption Book of
Waiting Families (consisting of our waiting families profiles) is distributed to organizations that assist pregnant women. Additionally, the office distributes our materials to facilities which geographically we are unable to personally visit, and continues to follow up. Our Center also offers to speak about the adoption process and our services to any interested organization that assists birthmothers in order that their staff and/or birthmothers are well informed about the adoption process, as well as our services. Adoption Consultants, Inc. firmly believes when a facility or organization comes to know you personally through continuing, ongoing and routine contact, they will think of your services and share them with a birthmother who is seeking direction and options.
Discussing and Planning Your Adoption Criteria:
The office will discuss with you what criteria are important to you in locating the right birthmother for you, such as age, race, general characteristics, degree of contact pre and post birth, living expense assistance needs, any medical costs, length of time until delivery, and birthmother’s state of residency.
Initial Screening of Birthmother Calls:
When birthmothers are not properly screened by experienced adoption professionals, your risk increases of having a failed adoption. Founder and Director Cathy Mantell, M.S., is well skilled to screen and assess birthmothers, having worked in the adoption field since 1989. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from U.C.L.A., a Masters of Science Degree in counseling, graduating with Distinction, as well as has practical experience in providing therapeutic counseling in non-profit counseling centers for individuals in crisis, including at a crisis trauma center catering primarily to women, as well as crisis hotline. Cathy is aware of what “red flags” to be on the lookout for, as well as how to assess a birthmother's circumstances surrounding her interest in placing in order to help better assess her commitment level.
The office performs an initial screening of all new potential birthmothers, including a comprehensive
intake to help determine interest in adoption and commitment level to an adoption plan. In a caring
and non-judgmental manner, the office inquires into sensitive areas such as why a birthmother is
considering an adoption plan, expected due date, degree of birth father involvement, general health,
pre-natal medical care, substance use (drugs, alcohol, smoking), health/medical history, if she has
considered other options, how her family and friends, as well as the birth father’s family, have
reacted or might react to her plans for adoption, any pregnancy related living expense financial needs or need for financial medical assistance. She is provided with information about adoption and the adoptive process, and any questions she may have are addressed. The office inquires as to what criteria are important to her in finding the right adoptive family. The office is available to personally meet with local birthmothers to discuss adoption, help them create an adoption plan that best meets their emotional needs and comfort level, and share prospective adoptive parent profiles.
Obtain Background Information on Birth Parents:
Background paperwork is provided to all birthmothers, including a medical/health and psychosocial history background. Adoption Consultants, Inc. requests a proof of pregnancy and photographs of the birthmother, birth father and any children the birthmother may have. Upon receipt of a signed and dated Authorization for Release of Medical and Social Information form from the birthmother, the office can request available applicable medical records for the birthmother and child. When a birthmother selects you as an adoptive family she would like to place with, you will be notified. Information received regarding the birth parent(s) and/or baby’s health will be shared with you. The office will also report in writing to you information provided the office by the birth parent(s) concerning a particular child. At the time you and a birthmother mutually decide to proceed forward with an adoption plan, the office will continue to keep you informed whenever there is information to share.
Presentation of Your Birthmother Letter to Potential Birthmothers:
As a contracted client, upon receipt of your birthmother letters, the office can begin presenting you to
potential birthmothers whose criteria you meet, as well as who meet your criteria. Because Adoption
Consultants, Inc. limits the number of contracted families the office assists at any one time (approximately
30 families.), our families never have to compete with hundreds of other families to have their profile
shown to potentially suitable birthmothers, a definite plus! Whenever your criteria meets a birthmother's
birthmother’s criteria, your profile will definitely be shared!
A minimal number of profiles are initially shared with a birthmother for review, depending on the birthmother’s criteria, how general or specific it is, as well as the client's criteria. Of course, limiting our clientele also helps to facilitate matches within a reasonable amount of time! The timeframe to be identified by a birthmother as a family she is interested in placing with is anticipated to be less than one year following remittance and distribution of your profile. Our quickest matches have been within 2-3 days!
Arranging Initial Contact Between Birthmother and Adoptive Parents:
When a birthmother identifies you as a family she is would like to place with, the office will contact you. Background information will be shared with you. If you are interested, the office can assist in setting up an initial 3-way conference call between yourself, the birthmother and office at a mutually convenient time. Following your call, should you both like to meet, the office can arrange an initial meeting at our office where a staff member will be present to help facilitate the conversation and meeting along. (Meeting with a birthmother prior to matching is not a mandatory prerequisite. It is strictly optional.)
Guiding You on Your Initial Contact with a Birthmother:
It is important to realize not only are you nervous about this call, but the birthmother is just as nervous. By acknowledging this outright, both parties can feel more comfortable. The office will coach you ahead of time on making this call, and provide assistance as to how to communicate with a birthmother, what questions to ask and what “red flags” to watch for. Following the call, the office will check in with both you and the birthmother to obtain feedback as to how each party felt the call went and their interest level in pursuing this potential placement.
Assisting Your Adoption Attorney and/or Agency:
At the time you and a birthmother have mutually selected each other for the purpose of pursuing and
completing an adoption plan, you must seek legal advice and services of a competent adoption attorney
and/or licensed agency to handle the legal aspects of your adoption plan, including termination of
parental rights and finalization, and ensure the laws of both your state as well as the birthmother’s state
are abided by. The office will provide your attorney and/or agency with available health/medical and
psychosocial information on the birth parent(s), as well as pass on any pertinent or desired information.
We will be happy to assist your legal counsel in any manner we can. We will continue to remain in contact
with both you and the birthmother throughout the adoption process, providing ongoing support and
guidance. Although you may retain whomever you would like as your legal counsel, the office does network with ACAL and AAA attorneys as well as licensed agencies nationwide and can refer you to reputable adoption professionals, upon request.
Fees and Ongoing Services:
Adoption Consultants, Inc. divides our facilitation fee into two parts: an initial remittance of less than half (approximately 40%) of our facilitation fee becoming due at the time a Contractual Facilitation Agreement is remitted, with the balance only becoming due at the time a birthmother and client mutually agree to enter into an adoption plan. Not only do we find this assists our families in financing their adoption pursuit, but also provides them peace of mind, knowing the balance of their fee will not become due until a birth mother they deem suitable has been located. Additionally, should you choose to terminate the adoption process pre-match the balance remaining will not apply.
Once matched, the office does not assess additional fees for the ongoing post-match services that it renders while helping to guide our clients all the way through the adoption process. In the event your adoption plan does not successfully complete for any reason, Adoption Consultants does not assess a re-match fee to render additional facilitation services under the existing terms of your Facilitation Contractual Agreement.
You may always choose to pass or terminate an adoption plan in the event any information received regarding the birth parent(s) or child is not acceptable. Your decision will always be supported!
How do I contract on as a Facilitation Client of Adoption Consultants, Inc.'s?:
Click here: Next Steps for Contractual Facilitation Program
Unsure of which program is best for you? View our Comparison Chart which highlights our plans unique aspects! Click here: Contractual Facilitation Program vs. Registration Program.
You can access additional adoption information by clicking on any of the following topics below:
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