Support resources in Florida

Adoption process, Adoption services, Social services, Pregnancy resources & support

1. I am dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, what are my options? 

Unplanned pregnancy is a surprise which creates a lot of thoughts and need for big decisions. Only you know if you will be able to parent or if an adoption plan is a better option for you. We wish you lots of wisdom and strength. We would be honored to be a support for you or answer any questions you may have when making this not-simple decision.  

When making an adoption plan, we will ask for proof of pregnancy and copy your ID when we first meet. We will email profiles of potential adoptive parents or we will bring them in person when we are meeting. We can also schedule a meeting with a potential adoptive family of your choice, if that is your preference and you prefer to choose the family.  

You have the right to name or not to name biological father. If you name him, we are obligated to contact him and have his consent for adoption in place as well. A biological father has the right to sign relinquishment paperwork before the child’s birth or you can do it together after the birth of the child. If you chose not to identify the father, it is his obligation to put his name on the registry and to notify the agency about his intention to parent. We can talk to the biological father if you release his name, but we can never push him or influence his decision one way or another.

We are able to set up an adoption plan within an hour. If you just delivered the baby, we would need to follow the policy of the hospital regarding when you could sign paperwork. It is typically sometime between 24 and 48 hours after birth but could be longer. We place children from infancy to school age. If you just delivered the baby, you could call us right away and we will present profiles of fully approved adoptive parents. In some situations, women will not want to choose the family, and we can do that for you. It is your decision.

2. I am already parenting, what are my options?

You have the option of adoption even if you are currently parenting your child. As an agency we are very intentional to make sure that, based on the background and unique needs of the child, you are introduced to appropriate fully approved families. We will need to learn from you about your child’s personality. What they like, don’t like, medical needs, behaviors, things they like to eat, etc. The more we know, the better if job we can do to help your child be put in the right situation in life.

Through the years, we have dealt with many situations where a biological mother made a decision to place a sibling group for adoption. If it meets the hopes of the biological parents, we will always make a huge effort to place children in one family. We will also want to learn about the personalities, medical needs, behavioral needs, etc of each child. We are very intentional in our work, and we will present potential adoptive parents who we feel are fully equipped to provide a good life for your children, even if they are a multiple sibling group.

3. What are the options and decision-making opportunities involving a present or potential child removal?

We will work with your DCS caseworker if you are currently working with one. We encourage you to contact us before or as soon as your child was placed in the custody of DCS. If you are a mother who delivered a baby in the hospital and DCS was called because of substance abuse, you can call us before or after the DCS caseworker comes in and we will work with them directly. If DCS has come and removed child, please always ask for a business card for the caseworker and we will connect with DCS worker.

We can provide profiles of fully approved adoptive families so you can can choose the family for your adoption plan if that is your preference. We can also choose the family from fully approved adoptive parents for you if you prefer. DCS will typically inspect the home of our fully approved adoptive family.

We want you to understand the permanency of an adoption plan and the difference between plan for reunification, which involves DCS, and permanent adoption- which you would do with a private adoption plan. If you feel a private adoption plan is the right option you will have the choice of the family, and from an open/semi-open/ or closed adoption. You have control of who will raise your child and the ability to have long term relationship with the child and adoptive family who is parenting your child. It is a big decision, we don’t want you to take it lightly; it is important to know both your options and choices. You do have a say.

4. How can I make an adoption plan if I am in the middle of legal issues, incarceration, or addiction or mental health treatment?

First of all, we are sorry it is such a difficult time in your life. As a parent you have a voice and choice and if you feel this is the best decision for your child, this is a decision you can make, regardless of other opinions- friends, family, people who represent you. Parents are entitled to make this decision and so many don’t know they have that right.

It is important to put together a list of questions that are very important to you. You might want to make sure the family will keep your heritage life in the child’s life. You might want a family who will give your child the best education and travel and explore the world. It might be a family who would support your child in their interests and gifts you gave to the child and will allow them to become who they are meant to become. Whatever it is that is really important to you, you can look in the profile of potential adoptive parents and ask these questions upfront to us or to the potential adoptive parent.

We will provide all the help we can to help you obtain all the required documentation. Legally, we will need ID and a birth certificate if you are parenting, or proof of pregnancy. We will walk you through the process so that you know what papers you need to complete.

The biological mother makes the final decision regarding placement of her child with a certain family she chooses. You can make a plan which would incorporate some visitations (open adoption), updates and pictures (semi-open), or closed. In this scenario of closed adoption, our agency would still reach out to adoptive family for pictures if you called us after placement.

5. I am pregnant and parenting and considering an adoption plan but worried about confidentiality or involvement of family members. Will you keep my adoption plan private?

We understand the sensitivity of your situation and will always keep confidentiality and respect your privacy. There are two scenarios that we are obligated to report: 1) if there is a child in danger or 2) someone’s life is in danger. Other than that, regardless of health or legal issues, we will work with you and respect your privacy. We encourage medical history which would be relevant to the child in the future will be shared with the adoptive family so that they can be fully equipped and ready to parent the child. This works the other way as well. If the adoptive family has a new situation that would affect their parenting, we would share that with you. Regardless if you are underage or dealing with difficult situations, we would not discuss this issue with your family.

6. I am undocumented or a refugee dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. Do I have options?

Yes, you have options for adoption. If you are pregnant or parenting it is possible, we just need the proper documents that establish you as the biological parent. We would be happy to look at each situation individually. Please call our office to discuss your situation, completely confidentially.

Resources in the State of Florida

1. I’m pregnant or parenting in Florida and don’t feel safe in my home or relationship.

Domestic violence shelters across the state of Florida include Trinity Rescue Mission, Coordinated Victims Assistance Center, The Caring Place, Harbor House of Central Florida, Victim Service Center of Central Florida, Alpha House Office, and The Spring of Tampa Bay Outreach Office. Please see the table below for location information and contact information for each shelter.

2. I’m pregnant or parenting in Florida and can’t afford to feed myself or my children.

Most counties in Florida are served by a local food bank. Pass It On Ministries Inc. and Evangel Temple Assembly of God serve the Miami-Dade area. Other food banks in Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, Tampa and Orlando include Mandarin Food Bank, Daystar Life Center Food Pantry, Feeding Tampa Bay, Joy Metropolitan Community Church and United Against Poverty.

3. I’m pregnant or parenting and homeless in Florida, are there places I can stay?

There are many shelters offering a place to stay across Florida:
Jacksonville: Family Promise of Jacksonville, Jacksonville New Life Inn
Miami: Lotus House Women’s Shelter, Miami Rescue Mission for Women and Children
St. Petersburg: Turning Point, Pinellas County Family Promise
Tampa: Homeless Helping Homeless
Orlando: Coalition for the Homeless

4. I’m pregnant or parenting in Florida and don’t have a doctor. Are there free resources for healthcare?

There are free clinics across the state of Florida, including Healing Hands Clinic in Jacksonville, Norland Medical Center in Miami, St. Petersburg Free Clinic, Red Crescent Free Clinic of Tampa Bay, and True Health – Lake Underhill.

5. I’m pregnant or parenting in Florida and I’m struggling to pay my rent. What resources are available to me?

Help with rent is available in multiple cities in Florida.
Jacksonville: Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. Jacksonville Regional Office, Northeast FL Community Action Agency
Miami: Sunshine For All, Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development
St. Petersburg: Pinellas County Department of Human Services, St. Petersburg City Housing
Tampa: Tampa Housing Authority, University Community Resource Center
Orlando: Heart of Florida United Way, Christian Service Center

6. I’m pregnant or parenting in Florida, are there places I could live?

There are pregnancy homes across the state including The Salvation Army (Jacksonville), Lotus House Women’s Shelter (Miami), Alpha House St. Petersburg, Alpha House Tampa, and Covenant House Florida (Orlando).

7. I’m pregnant or parenting in Florida, and I was raped or in a sexually abusive relationship. What are my options and resources?

There are many rape crisis and sexual assault support centers in Florida and all are listed on the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence website. Just click to look for the organization in your area. You may also contact the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. You may wish to be seen by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner- a Registered Nurse who has received special training to provide comprehensive care to sexual assault victims.