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  • When is National Adoption Day?

    • November 6th, 2014
    • Posted in Blog

    When is National Adoption Day?

    National Adoption Day is a wonderful holiday that all adoption and foster care organizations and agencies celebrate across the US. National Adoption Day always falls on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

    This year, National Adoption Day is on November 22, 2014.

    What is National Adoption Day?

    For those who don’t know, National Adoption Day is the day that courts across the country finalize thousands of adoptions. This year, the Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson will be performing adoption finalization hearings all day starting at 9 AM. Legal and adoption professionals organized the first National Adoption Day back in 2000. As of 2006, all US and Puerto Rico now celebrate it as a day of joy and of making families whole.

    Along with performing the adoptions, National Adoption Day is dedicated to adoption awareness. Numerous agencies from around the country come together to help raise awareness. Events happen across the country and recently we’ve pushed into social media to help reach birthmothers in an unplanned pregnancy and families that are looking for an alternative way to have a child.

    National Adoption Day has helped about 50,000 children find a loving adoptive family and raised awareness for millions of people across the country.

    As a whole, the adoption industry has significantly advanced through the use of National Adoption Day. Wonderful children have connected with loving families. National news stations cover true, beautiful adoption stories. And adoptive families have a chance to celebrate and connect with other adoptive families. The adoption community sees a lot of well-needed support and families going through difficult times, and National Adoption Day can help them can get the support and comfort they need.

    How You Can Help Raise Awareness

    If you’re interested in helping out on National Adoption Day, then you should know there are a few ways you can show your support. On National Adoption Day’s website, you can organize your own event. Although it can take a lot of work and, in many cases, skillsets, it is a huge help. A popular way is to organize a picnic with your community and spread the word about it. Picnics, parties, and fairs are a great attraction to people and can spread awareness. If you want to organize an event, please do so here and let them know so they can post it on their website. We would also love to hear about your event, so please be sure to let us know.

    You don’t have to organize a huge event to support National Adoption Day. One other popular way to spread awareness is to spread the word through the use of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. You can start by sharing this post with all of your friends!

    Lastly, if you’re a prospective adoptive family, this is the day to go forward with it. Contact us for more information on how to get started!

  • Maryland Adoption Agency

    • August 5th, 2014
    • Posted in Blog

    About Our Maryland Adoption Agency Adoption Makes Family is a Maryland adoption agency that matches unplanned pregnancies with loving and caring families looking to adopt. We are located just north of Baltimore, Maryland, but serve the entire state. Our goal… Read More

  • How and When to Talk to Your Child about Adoption

    • August 5th, 2014
    • Posted in Blog

    Parents often wonder “when is the best time to tell my child they are adopted?” For that matter, “how do I tell them they are adopted?” Some parents dwell on the question for too long and wait until the child… Read More

  • Effects of Adoption on Children

    • August 5th, 2014
    • Posted in Blog

    There are a lot of people who believe that adoption has negative effects on children, but that’s entirely untrue. The government would not support adoption if we were negatively affecting our youth, and neither would we. We all want the… Read More

  • Adoption Myths

    • August 5th, 2014
    • Posted in Blog

    Adoption is a confusing process to many people, and the media generally doesn’t make it easier. There are many misconceptions/myths about adoption that are false but are, to many people, “common knowledge.” Unfortunately, this can cause some negative connotations with the term instead of the truth. The whole purpose of adoption is to provide all children with a loving family that can and will care for them and accept them into their family. Here are 5 adoption myths and the truths about them:

    “Only married people can adopt.”

    Adoption is meant to combine people with children and make them a complete family. To many people the term “complete family” does not mean marriage. Married people often adopt, of course, but there are no legal restrictions on whether or not you have to be married to adopt a child. Same-sex couples still cannot legally marry in many states, which is a common concern in terms of adoption; however, if you are capable of raising a child, you can adopt. The same rule goes for single people looking to adopt.

    “You can’t adopt unless you’re rich and have a big house.”

     It’s not news that raising a child is expensive; however, you don’t have to be “rich” to adopt. If you can support the child with food, water, a bed, a roof, a healthy environment, safety, and an education, then you can adopt. There are adoption requirements that you have to meet in order to raise a child, but boatloads of money is not one of them. Think about it: if a child was dropped into your life right now, could you support him or her? Besides the financial requirements, your child does not even need his or her own room, although it’s highly recommended. The child only needs a bed by law; however, if you have multiple children, you need to meet other legal obligations such as living requirements of children over the age of 6. Contact us if you’re interested in adoption, but aren’t sure if it’s possible. We’ll help you find out if you can support a child for sure.

    “There aren’t really that many children up for adoption.”

    This statement is so far from true that it’s really mind-boggling how it came to light. There are over 100,000 children ranging from all ages, from infant to full-grown adults (age 21), waiting to be adopted. Where this myth originated is unknown, but it’s entirely false.

    “Adopted children have more psychological problems than biological children.”

    Adopted children are no different than birth children. An adopted child has the same genetic probability of having a disorder as a birth child. On top of this, an adopted child is raised in a similar environment to a birth child, resulting in similar psychological states. Actually, studies have been done that showed there are very small negative impacts of adoption on children and it does not result in higher chances of any social problems or mental disorders.

    “All adopted children will never see their birth parents again.”

    Although possible, it’s entirely dependent on the type of adoption the family goes through. If the family uses open adoption, a child could reconnect with their birth parents in the future. In many cases, the child doesn’t even desire to reconnect with their birth parents, so this is myth is only partially true. Learn more about the differences between open adoption and closed adoption here.

    If you have any questions about adoption feel free to contact us today. We’re more than happy to provide answers to any questions you may have.

  • Adoption Resources and Help

    Adoption Makes Family wants to ensure that everyone involved with the adoption of a child is well-informed and has the support necessary to make conscious decisions about their adoption. For this reason, we’ve put together a list of adoption resources to help you through the adoption process.

    Adoption is a wonderful part of today’s society. But unfortunately there are many women who have an unwanted pregnancy and simply cannot care for the child once he/she is born. In this scenario, the birthmother seeks an adoptive parent to take the child from birth to raise him/her as their own. You may be one of these potential adoptive parents and are looking to adopt a child, a birthmother going through a tough time with your pregnancy, or just someone looking for information on adoption. Here are some useful adoption resources and links that will help you get your research started:

    Adoption Support and Counselors

    At Adoption Makes Family we want you to be able to assist your child wherever possible and make for a strong, loving, and hopeful future for them, and we’re willing to act as another resource to help during the process.  We can help you create your own loving adoption plan and can essentially plan out the future your child would like to have and discuss ways of reaching these goals. We can provide you with the support and assistance whenever you may need it.

    Whether you have already adopted through us, are planning to adopt, or are just thinking about it, it’s worth mentioning that we have adoption counselors on-site and ready to answer any questions you may have. Birthmothers and birthfathers often have trouble dealing with the adoption emotionally and require additional support outside of traditional means. We’re here to help you through it and make the process go as smoothly and stress-free as possible. Of course, the same support is available for prospective adoptive parents and we would be more than happy to answer your questions or advise you on what to do next in the adoption process.

    If you have any questions or require additional assistance with your adoption, then please contact us:

  • How Many Kids Can You Adopt?

    There is often much confusion on how many kids you can adopt, but it all falls down to legal requirements. Each state has their own laws regarding adoption and will mention the limit on how many kids you can adopt; however, some exceptions can be made.

    Maximum Children per Household in Maryland

    The state of Maryland only allows for you to have a total of 6 children in your household. Some parents are looking to grow a very large family, sometimes up to a dozen children. If you are looking to raise more than 6 children in your household, then there are some things you need to know before making your next move:

    • Stress and Anxiety – Can you physically handle 6+ kids? Will you be physically or mentally incapacitated? As much as we like to think we can raise as many as we’re allowed, it’s not always the case. As it is when adopting any child, it’s best to weigh your options before adopting.
    • Financials – Can you afford 6+ kids? Take a look at your current situation and try to calculate having more children. Don’t forget to consider the future (teens to young adults).
    • Space Requirements – Do you have room for 6+ kids? Some prospective adoptive parents forget to consider spacing in their home when they look to adopt more children. If you have a full house now, then where will you place another child? If you upgrade your home, will you still have the money to raise the child? Be sure to consider when they will want to have their own rooms in their teen years.

    How Does it Work?

    The state does not generally allow you to adopt more than 6 kids because it assumes that your space could not accommodate more than 6 kids and maintain a healthy environment. The state of Maryland believes that no parent should raise more than 6 children; however, we understand that sometimes you feel like you have to break this restriction.

    One of the few scenarios in which the state will step aside for you is if you are adopting a group of siblings. If you currently have 6 children and would like to raise twins, then by state law you are technically not allowed; however, it is common practice to find that the state will accept sibling groups to be taken into 1 home and be viewed as 1 unit. In this case, you can have more than 6 children living under one roof. Siblings are oftentimes separated during adoption, even with all the pushing from agencies and the government to ensure the siblings stay together. This exception is very helpful and in the long run will benefit the family as a whole.

    We’re Here to Help

    Contact Adoption Makes Family today for more information on adopting children and our advice on adopting into large families. If you need help with the adoption process, we have adoption counselors ready to help you in your situation.

  • Open Adoption vs. Closed Adoption

    At Adoption Makes Family our goal is to find a loving home for any child that is without a parent, or will be without a parent due to an unwanted pregnancy. We understand that it’s a difficult and emotional time for adoptive parents, which is why we offer various support options. Our counselors are here to help you through all the difficult decisions throughout the adoption process. One of the most difficult decisions is to decide between open adoption and closed adoption. In order to choose, let’s break down each of them.

    Open Adoption

    So what exactly is open adoption? Open adoption has various meanings to different people; however, there is one aspect that is absolutely undebatable: the adopted child can have connections with their birth parents if they wish to. An open adoption means that the birth mother, adopted child, and adoptive parents are all in contact with each other. From this point of the definition on, there is much debate over what an open adoption should enclose. Lawyers and various adoption agencies will tell you different reasons to be for or against open adoptions. In the end it’s the birth mother’s and the adoptive parents’ decisions. You will have to work through this with each other and decide which terms you want.

    An open adoption can mean that the birth parents are invited to visit on all special occasions, events, and so on; however, it could also be what some refer to as “semi-open” in which it is an “open” adoption, but there are some limits on what the birth parents want to participate in. Some birth parents want long-distance contact through pictures and letters, but not in person. Other times, the adoptive parents and the birth parents want a “closed” adoption.

    Closed Adoption

    In some cases, the birth parents and the adoptive parents want a closed adoption. In a closed adoption, both the birth parents and the adoptive parents do not want any contact whatsoever. Many people assume that the adopted child will want to meet their biological parents, but that isn’t always the case. In many cases the child will not think twice about it because their adoptive parents are the ones who are there for them and that’s all that matters; however, this is not always the case. It all depends on the child and current situations.

    In a closed adoption, the adopted child will have no connections and the adoption agency will be legally bound to deny access to any connections to their birth parents. The same goes for the adoptive parents. The adoptive parents and the adopted child can request a change in the adoption to be open, but the birth parents have to agree and then there has to be a legal review. If you want to change to an open adoption, it is possible, but it is also complicated.

    Open Adoption vs. Closed Adoption

    If you believe that somewhere down the line your child will want to be in contact with their birth parents, or you will want to be in contact with the birth parents, then consider open adoption. If you do not believe this and would like to be completely separated from the biological parents, then a closed adoption makes sense for you. Adoption Makes Family offers both closed and open adoptions.

    Contact us and ask about how our open or closed adoptions work, or to discuss which option is best for you.

  • How long does it take to adopt a baby?

    • October 29th, 2013
    • Posted in Blog

    Probably the most common question I am asked when people inquire about adoption is how long does the process take?  The honest answer is, I have no idea.

    I can tell you that the home study process is almost completely dependent on the Prospective Adoptive Family (PAF).  Once the PAF sends in the home study application and fee to Adoption Makes Family, the home study documents are unlocked through our website.  The PAF then has five (5) months to complete all of the paperwork and submit them to the Agency.  Once we have all of the documents, the law allows us 90 days to complete the home study.  I have had PAFs complete the home study documents in just a few weeks and I have had situations where PAFs take over a year. 

    As for the placement phase of the adoption, there is just no predicting how long that will take.  Several factors are in play.  First, we must wait for a call from birth parents who are looking to create an adoption plan.  We have many outreach programs going on and the Agency’s name is well circulated around Maryland and on the Internet.  We network with hospitals, clinics, schools and many different types of media all across the state of Maryland.

    Once birth parents contact Adoption Makes Family, we inquire about what type of family the birth parents are seeking for their adoption plan.  We meet with the birth parents to learn more about them and understand their very personal adoption journey.  

    A family could be waiting just a day and birth parents call for a family that is a perfect match for the new family.  Other situations may be that a family is waiting for a long time because there is not a match between the PAF criteria and the birthparents’ wishes.  On the other hand, if the PAF has particular criteria for an adoption plan, it may be longer to find birth parents who fit those criteria.

    The next question asked by many PAFs.  What can be done to shorten the waiting time?  The answer: take a look at the criteria you have selected for your adoption plan.  Be sure your criteria are not so limiting that very few birth parents would fit into your criteria.

    If you have more questions, you are always welcome to call us directly at 410-683-2100 or email dr.kirschner@adoptionmakesfamily.org.

     

     

  • Birth Mother Expenses Soon to be Allowed under Maryland Law

     

    Starting on October 1, 2013, Maryland adoption agencies will be permitted to facilitate assistance for certain birth mother expenses.  The new law allows for reasonable expenses to be paid for transportation for medical care associated with the birth mother’s pregnancy or birth of her child.  The law also permits birth mothers to receive financial assistance for reasonable food, clothing and shelter costs associated with the birth mother’s pregnancy or birth of her child.  Also permitted will be reasonable expenses associated with any required court appearance relating to the adoption.  Once paid, the expenses are not refundable to the adoptive family, even if the adoption plan fails.

     

    To qualify for the payment of these expenses, the birth mother’s physician must submit a letter stating that the birth mother is unable to work or otherwise support herself because of medical reasons associated with the pregnancy or birth of the child.

     

    Birth mothers are looking forward to this change in the adoption law.  Several times, birth mothers have been influenced to go to other states to try to get financial assistance.  This is a violation of Maryland law and could cause problems for the birth mother.  Now, Adoption Makes Family will be able to facilitate financial assistance when assistance is truly needed, and at the same time, protecting the legal rights of the birth mother.

     

    Adoptive families have expressed both relief and concern about this change in the law.  First, there is great relief that birth mothers who are in a financial crisis due to medical issues surrounding the pregnancy will be able to receive assistance.  Adoptive families have expressed their concern about the birth mother and her well being.  Adoptive families have wanted to assist birth mothers who are genuinely in a financial crisis.  However, in the past, there were legal restrictions prohibiting adoptive families from providing assistance.   Fortunately, those restrictions have been removed and Maryland adoption agencies will soon be able to facilitate this financial assistance.

     

    Adoptive families are, as well, concerned about this change in the Maryland adoption law.  There are numerous cases where birth parents have received assistance from hopeful adoptive parents.  For whatever reason, the birth parents elected to abandoned the adoption plan and parent the child.  In some cases, it has been learned that there was fraud involved and the birth parents never intended to carry out an adoption plan. In those fraudulent cases, adoptive families have worked with legal authorities to take legal action.  In either case, this change in Maryland adoption law does bring with it an increased risk for the adoptive family in the adoption process.

     

    Adoption Makes Family, a licensed Maryland adoption agency, will work to assist birth mothers in Maryland with the financial assistance as prescribed under the law should the need arise.  We will work to screen potential financial crises with birth mothers who wish to create an adoption plan through Adoption Makes Family.  It is our hope and goal to facilitate assistance only where assistance is truly needed and appropriate under the law. 

     

    A yahoo group called “Adoptionscams” has been developed and can be an aide to help adoptive families in their adoption journey.  One issue often discussed is whether a particular birth parent has a history of financial scams. 

     

Adoption Makes Family is for the adoptive family as well, providing adoption services to a family choosing to embark on their own adoption journey. Adoption Makes Family is located just north of Baltimore, Maryland, serving birth parents throughout the state and adoptive families across the country.
10635 York Road
Cockeysville
Maryland
21030
USA
Adoption Makes Family was founded to meet the needs of birth parents and adoptive parents in a manner that is sensitive, compassionate, and personal. We are a non-profit (501-C3), licensed adoption agency based in Maryland. Our highly trained staff is prepared to meet the needs of birth parents and adoptive parents, as well as children in need of a loving home.
10635 York Road
Cockeysville
MD
21030
USA