Will My Child End Up in Foster Care if I Place Them for Adoption?
Facing an unexpected pregnancy raises many “what ifs.” What if my parents kick me out of the house? What if my partner says he’ll leave me? What if I can’t manage as a mom and my child winds up in foster care?
You have three options for your unexpected pregnancy: have an abortion, make an adoption plan, or choose to parent. If abortion is out of the question, you may be contemplating parenting your child.
Parenting is a wonderful experience, but it can be difficult. Circumstances like a lack of safe housing, violence in relationships, or addiction mean your child may be taken from you and placed in foster care.
Many people confuse foster care and adoption. Whether you are currently expecting a baby or you’ve already given birth, you can still make an adoption plan that avoids foster care. Let’s take a closer look.
What is Foster Care?
Foster care is a temporary government service, such as Child Protective Services (CPS), for children who can no longer live with their biological parents. In Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) oversees the foster care system.
The court gives DHHS temporary legal custody of the child(ren) due to abuse, neglect, or substance abuse on the part of the parents. If relatives or others close to the family can’t provide a stable living environment, the child is placed in foster care.
The DHSS will assign a Child and Family Safety Specialist (CFSS) to locate a placement for your child. Foster care is a temporary service with the goal of reunifying a child with their biological parents, if possible.
The biological parents’ parental rights remain, but the child stays in foster care until circumstances change and they can safely return home.
What is Adoption?
Adoption is a permanent choice. It is not co-parenting. When the biological mother (and father, if available) signs a consent to place their child for adoption, their rights and responsibilities are terminated and legally given to the adoptive family.
Women choose adoption for many different reasons. If you live in an unsafe environment, do not feel capable of handling the day-to-day responsibilities of parenthood, have limited financial resources, feel you’re too young, or already struggle to care for the children you have now, making an adoption plan for your child keeps them from foster care.
Choosing to place your child is a difficult yet loving decision made in the best interest of your child’s well-being. Only you know your situation and what lies ahead for both you and your child. Being a parent is wonderful if you are ready. It can also be scary if you don’t have the support of others.
How Can the Assure Women’s Center Assist Me?
Adoption today is significantly different from what it was a few decades ago. Now, the expectant mother or birth mother makes all of the decisions. She chooses the adoptive couple that meets her standards and decides what type of ongoing relationship she would like to have with them and her child in the future.
All adoption agencies’ services are completely free, and they take care of all of your medical and legal expenses. In some cases, other pregnancy-related expenses are also covered.
You are free to contact a local adoption agency and ask any questions you may have. It doesn’t require you to commit to placing your child just to get more information.
Assure Women’s Center isn’t a licensed child-placing agency, but we can provide referrals to reputable adoption professionals in our area.
We have two convenient locations. Schedule a free and confidential appointment to discuss your situation, adoption, and all your options. We’re here for you.
