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The Baby Fold’s
pregnancy counseling program provides counseling
and support services to expectant parents to
assist them in dealing with options related to
the pregnancy, birth, and future care of their
child. Birth parents identify what needs to be
addressed, including medical care, financial
assistance, housing, employment, educational
services, child care, parenting and adoption.
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An assessment is completed to help birth parents
identify the needs that they have related to the
pregnancy. Areas that can be discussed include:
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Medical
care
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Financial
assistance
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Housing
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Parental
rights
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Employment
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Parenting
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Adoption
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Foster care
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Child
development
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Educational
services
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Baby care
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Individual,
couple, and family counseling.
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Grief and
loss
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Preventing
future unplanned pregnancies
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Decision
making
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Living
arrangements
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Building
healthy relationships
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Prevention
of STDs and AID
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The desired outcome is
that the birth parents will make a decision that will
meet the needs of the child.
Pregnancy
Counseling brochure
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When individuals choose to parent their child, The Baby
Fold offers Family Support Services to ensure that
parents have the resources and support needed to be the
best possible parents. Services offered include
assistance in locating housing, parenting classes,
seeking employment, and childcare.
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In making an adoption plan for a child, birth parents
are placing the needs of the child above their own.
Adoption may be the most loving decision that they can
make.
In order to legally make an adoption plan for a child,
both birth parents must sign surrender documents in
front of a counselor or a judge. If the birth father is
uncooperative or cannot be located, legal steps can
facilitate this process. Birth parents are assisted in
this process every step of the way.
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When individuals choose to make an adoption plan for
their child, The Baby Fold carefully prepares adoptive
families for the adoption experience. Adoptive families
go through an intensive home study and licensing process
before being approved. Adoptive parents are educated
about the benefits of ongoing contact and communication
with birth parents. Adoptive parents make commitments
regarding the level of openness with birth parents that
they are willing to accept. Birth parents are presented
with the profiles of adoptive families that accept the
level of openness that the birth parents desire. Birth
parents can be actively involved in the selection of an
adoptive family by choosing from several adoptive family
profiles. Birth parents’ requests and preferences are
taken seriously. Birth parents may also meet the
adoptive parents, if they choose to do so.
The Baby Fold believes it is important to share
information about the birth parents with the adoptive
parents so that they can answer the child’s questions as
the child grows. It is also important for a child to
know the birth family’s medical history.
Birth parents may see their child following delivery.
We encourage birth parents to spend time with the baby
prior to placement. When birth parents are certain that
they want to make an adoption plan for their child, it
is possible to place the child directly with the
adoptive family. When birth parents have any doubts, the
child can live for a short period of time with a foster
family that is licensed by The Baby Fold, while the
birth parents make their final decision. Visits between
the birth parents and the child can be arranged during
this time.
Each adoption plan includes an agreement between the
birth parents and adoptive parents that The Baby Fold
facilitates and that addresses their desires for ongoing
communication and contact. The options for ongoing
communication and contact range from very little
communication, to contact that is mediated by The Baby
Fold, to a very open adoption arrangement. The agreement
seeks to respect the wishes of everyone involved. The
agreement is flexible, as the needs of the birth
parents, adoptive parents, and child may change over
time. Serving the best interests of the child is always
at the heart of these agreements.
Prior to the final adoption hearing, The Baby Fold
asks adoptive parents to share photographs and reports
with the birth parents regarding the child’s adjustment.
The Baby Fold can help facilitate contact between the
birth parents and the adoptive parents via letters and
pictures over the years.
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The Baby Fold offers a birth parent support group to
assist birth parents in connecting with others who
understand the loss of making an adoption plan for a
child. This group can help birth parents heal from this
experience. Any birth parent who has made an adoption
plan for a child is invited to join the birth parent
support group. This group provides an opportunity for
healing, emotional support and personal growth. Meetings
are held on the first Wednesday of every month from 5:30
– 7:00 p.m. at The Baby Fold, 612 Oglesby Ave., Normal,
IL 61761.
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We’re here for you as long as you need us, before and
after your baby is born.
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We will work with you to help you make the best
possible decision for you and your baby.
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Counseling is always free to you and anyone else
involved in the pregnancy.
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If you cannot travel to us, we will come to you –
anywhere in Central Illinois.
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The Baby Fold’s pregnancy counseling program is
completely voluntary, confidential, and free of
charge.
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Services are available to the expectant mother, the
father of the child, and other family members or
significant individuals that the birth parents choose
to involve.
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Anyone living within a 100-mile radius of The Baby
Fold that desires The Baby Fold’s service is eligible.
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Services can be provided in the individual’s home
community if that is most convenient.
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Counselors at The Baby Fold are trained to help you
with the difficult decisions you need to make.
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Frequently Asked
Questions
For more information, to make an appointment, or
to sign up for the birth parent support group,
contact the pregnancy counseling program at:
The Baby Fold
612 Oglesby Avenue
Normal, IL 61761
Phone: (309) 454-1770
Fax: (309) 454-9257
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