Kentucky Adoption Agency Guide

Placing Your Baby for Adoption in Kentucky

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and living in Kentucky, you may be considering adoption. Adoption can be a positive choice for anyone who is not yet ready to parent. While it is common to hear the outdated phrase “give up for adoption,” adoption is anything but giving up. It requires strength, devotion, and love. It means putting the needs of your child before your own and making a plan for their life. For this reason, we like to say, “making an adoption plan.” There are a number of adoption agencies in Kentucky that can walk you through the adoption process.

If you are considering adoption in Kentucky, read on. In this guide, we will share what supportive services adoption agencies in Kentucky can offer you – at no charge to you – and what to look for as you research reputable adoption agencies in KY.

Introduction to Kentucky Adoption Agencies

It is critical to work with a fully-licensed adoption agency in Kentucky. Adoption agencies in Kentucky take care of everything related to your child’s adoption. They will facilitate the legal steps for the adoption process, ensuring the adoption is completely safe and legal. They will offer you counseling services – before and after the adoption is complete – and help you design the adoption plan that is right for you. The best Kentucky adoption agencies will also offer assistance in choosing your child’s adoptive family.

Adoption Resources in Kentucky

Post-Adoption Support in Kentucky

The best Kentucky adoption agencies offer counseling services. These services should continue beyond the court date to finalize the adoption. At Adoptions With Love, we understand that adoption is a life-changing experience. It brings a range of emotions for birth mothers, and these emotions do not magically stop once court is adjourned. We encourage birth mothers to continue regular counseling sessions as they process and heal. Counseling services are free for birth mothers for up to one year following the finalization of adoption.

Benefits of Open Adoption in Kentucky

There are many benefits that come with choosing a Kentucky adoption agency. In the state of Kentucky, expectant/birth parents making an adoption plan can receive financial assistance for many maternity and adoption-related costs. This means you can receive financial aid related to your pregnancy, childbirth, and living expenses during this time.

Pregnancy and childbirth can change your life completely. If you have a physically demanding job, you may need to cut back on your hours. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you may need to change your diet and/or have extra checkups and ultrasounds. You need support during this time in your life. Adoption agencies in Kentucky can offer expectant/birth mothers a wide range of services – from free counseling services to assistance designing an adoption plan that meets your needs.

Making an adoption plan in Kentucky can be an overwhelming experience. The best Kentucky adoption agencies should ease the stress and challenges for expectant/birth mothers.

Cost of Adoption Services in Kentucky

There are no costs associated with placing your baby up for adoption. At adoption agencies in Kentucky, such as Adoptions With Love, adoption services are always free of charge for expectant/birth mothers. In fact, there is financial assistance offered to help ease the stress and burden that an unplanned pregnancy can evoke.

Financial Assistance for Birthmothers

Adoptions With Love offers expectant/birth parents the following services when they choose adoption:

• Rent (other living expenses may also be covered, please contact us for details).
• Electricity and other utilities.
• Uninsured medical costs.
• Costs related to transportation to and from medical appointments.
• Maternity clothes.
• Ongoing counseling, before and after the birth of your baby – at no charge.
• Legal services throughout the adoption – at no charge.
• Custom-designed adoption planning – at no charge.
• Free assistance communicating with adoptive – and prospective – parents.

Types of Kentucky Adoption Agencies

Public Adoption Agencies

Funded by local, state, and federal sources, public adoption agencies facilitate the adoption of children from foster care. Foster care is typically the path taken when the state needs to step in and remove a child from his/her home. Expectant/birth parents do not voluntarily choose to place their children in foster care. They typically have less control over the situation.

Private Adoption Agencies

Private adoption agencies are most selected by women facing an unplanned pregnancy. These organizations prioritize the expectant/birth mother’s needs throughout the adoption process, ensuring that she is comfortable every step of the way. These agencies work hard to find the best possible family for each child in need, while offering the birth mother financial and emotional services.

With a private adoption agency, expectant/birth mothers are in control of their adoption plan. They have the option to choose a family for their baby. They may also meet the family or stay connected over the years. Private adoptions are carefully planned to ensure that each child is placed in a safe and loving home.

Working with a private adoption agency in Kentucky means that your adoption will be safe, legal, and official. The right Kentucky adoption agency will also provide you with comprehensive, supportive care.

Benefits of Choosing Adoption in Kentucky

Support Services

Kentucky adoption agencies provide various support services for birth parents – all free of charge – including:

• Financial assistance (as listed above)
• Compassionate counseling services, before and after adoption
• Legal support from Kentucky-trained adoption attorneys. These professionals can meet you at a time and place that is most convenient for you – including your home or hospital room – to ensure that you understand the adoption process and answer any questions you have.
• Adoption planning services
• Ongoing support

Emotional Fulfillment

For birth parents, choosing adoption can bring a sense of peace and fulfillment knowing their child is placed in a loving home. Adoptive families also experience joy and fulfillment in building their family through adoption.

Creating Forever Families

Adoption creates loving, permanent families for children who need them, providing stability and a sense of belonging.

For many birth mothers who choose open adoption, a deep, meaningful relationship with their child’s adoptive family is often formed. These two families come together, bonding over their shared love of this one, precious child. That child, in turn, grows up knowing they are loved by two families instead of one.

How to Choose an Adoptive Family in Kentucky

If you are considering adoption in Kentucky, you may be wondering how to choose an adoptive family for your child. Factors to consider include…

• Values – What are the values that matter to you most? Do you share similar values as this potential adoptive family? Will they raise a kind, considerate, respectful child?
• Background – Does the adoptive family’s cultural background differ from yours? Does this matter to you? Will they share – and celebrate – your cultural background with your child?

Lifestyle – Does this family live in a bustling city, or a rural community? Do they travel frequently for work? Can they give your child the type of childhood you wish for them?

Kentucky Adoption Laws

In Kentucky, birth parents must wait at least 72 hours (about 3 days) after their baby is born before signing consent to the adoption. This gives you (the birth mother) time to meet your baby and finalize your decision.

Role of Adoption Agencies in Legal Process

Kentucky adoption agencies oversee every aspect of the adoption process, including the highly crucial legal aspect. This ensures that every adoption is carried out safely and legally. At Adoptions With Love, our team of Kentucky adoption attorneys understand the ins and outs of the adoption process in the state. They work diligently to ensure that every adoption is carried out and the rights of the birth mother are upheld during every stage of the process.