Adoption is a legal process by which you place your child with an individual who will raise your child and be a permanent parent to the child with all the rights and responsibilities of parenthood. The relationship between you as the biological parent, then, will be legally terminated by your own choice. The child becomes a permanent and legal member of the adoptive family, with full rights of inheritance. If you are considering such a decision, here are answers to some of your questions. Because I can not anticipate all the questions you may have, I will ask you to contact me via one of the methods listed at the bottom of this page for further information, or to consider profiles of waiting families with me.
The decision to make an adoption plan for your child is a very personal one that will forever impact the lives of all involved. Learn as much about adoption as you can. Ask questions. We primarily handle semi-open adoptions and a great deal of information is shared between the birth and adoptive parents. Usually the birth parents and adoptive parents spend some time together and all parties can be at the hospital if requested.
Services:
Mary Ann Scherer, as an Adoption Entity in the State of Florida, will provide you with counseling, education and support. She will respect your decision and assist you in making an adoption plan that will be your plan and one which preserves the dignity of you, your child and the adoptive parents who you will choose. Offer Counseling Although you may not feel a need for counseling free counseling will be offered to you if you desire. This counseling is also available after the placement of your child for Adoption if requested. Help Stabilize your Living Situation
Provide Adoption Planning It is important that you feel comfortable with the family who will adopt your child. You may choose the family for your baby and receive information about them. The families presented to you will already have been studied and approved by a professional Social Worker. We will introduce them to you and facilitate your speaking to them so you and the family can feel comfortable with one another and the Adoption Plan. If you have not already decided on a family, I will help you choose the family for your baby and provide you with information about them. The family presented to you will be selected by you and will already have been through the rigorous process of approval for adoption, which includes a home study, medical evaluations, criminal and child abuse background checks, and has been counseled about adoption by a professional in the field. You may participate in the placement process, and you can talk to and meet the prospective adoptive parents. Once a decision is made by you, the child can be immediately placed with the approved family. After placement, if there is an agreement between you and the adoptive parents to do so, they will send you pictures and information.
You may choose to
spend the time in the hospital after delivery with the child
Arrange Financial Assistance If you are unable to work or your work has been limited due to the pregnancy, we will request that the adoptive parent provide you with financial assistance in the form of assistance with your living expenses for up to six weeks after the pregnancy. We will assess your needs and work up a budget for you. Before you make the decision to accept financial assistance, please be very sure of your Adoption Plan. Someone’s life savings are often used in the pursuit of a child through adoption. Offer Post-Adoption Counseling Counseling can be provided to you for six weeks after the birth of the child. If you chose, you may receive pictures and periodic updates about your child if you make this desire known to us at the time you make this plan. The choice of adoption is a difficult one to make, and you may find it easier to say, “I’ll try to parent my child”. In making this decision, you will look at what is best for your baby, for yourself, and for others who are involved with you. Should you proceed with the adoption process, you will always remember this event, but find strength in the thought that you provided life to this child and then made a responsible, unselfish plan for his or her future. Begin by asking yourself these hard questions:
I am here to help you with answers to these questions. I will:
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If needed, we
will help you find appropriate, safe housing, food, transportation, and
medical care during your pregnancy. Your health, safety, and welfare are of
great importance to us. 
or parent the
child for a period of time. Or you may choose to place directly to the
adoptive parents without any further contact with the child. This is
entirely your choice. 