Option 1: Foster Care

• Medical professionals are required by law to contact Child Protective Ser- vices (CPS) if there are any concerns about the welfare of the baby or safety of the home environment.

• Paternity tests will be required, and once established, the father will have parental rights and responsibilities.

• If concerns are considered valid, the baby becomes a ward of the state and CPS assumes custody, retaining deci- sion making powers.

• A case worker will be assigned to the mother and baby.

• CPS will interview the biological mother (and father if paternity is established) to create an ongoing plan for reunification, including regu- larly scheduled CPS visits deemed necessary.

• A judge determines if and when reunification will occur and settles a permanency plan.

• The social worker at the hospital will interview the extended family for a biological relative with whom the baby can be placed, not at the discre- tion of the biological mother or father.

• Legal charges will be filed for illegal behavior, substance abuse, negli- gence, or abuse of any kind during pregnancy or delivery. Subsequent drug testing and sobriety will be required by law for reunification.

• Per child support guidelines, biologi- cal parent wages will be garnished while the child is in Foster care.

Option 2: 6-Month Placement

• The biological parent(s) can choose a family willing to accept temporary responsibility for the baby, giving them time to decide on a permanent solution.  

• This placement is a renewable 6-month option.

• An assigned lawyer will prepare a Power of Attorney to be granted to the temporary placement family. Parental rights are shared with biological parent(s).

• If the biological father has paternity established, they will also need to sign the 6-month POA to share legal rights for the baby.  

• Legal and other costs associated with 6-month placement may be covered by the placement family.

• If a baby is placed into adoption, any pending legal charges against biological parents that may be filed during pregnancy or at birth may be dismissed.

See the placement families tab for more information on current 6-month placement families.

Option 3: Adoption

• An adoption or placement plan can be made and modified by the bio- logical mother at any point during pregnancy.

• If there is already a plan in place, Child Protective Services will not become involved at the birth of the baby.

• An Adoption Coordinator from the hospital will prepare the necessary paperwork with an assigned lawyer which can be completed at the time of birth.

• If the biological mother is married, paternity has been established, or the biological father’s name is on the birth certificate, the father must sign parental termination paper- work.

• Biological parent(s) may look through adoptive family portfolios to select a family for placement of the baby.

• Adopting family may choose to assist the biological mother with counseling and therapy sessions.

• Expenses for placement of the baby will be covered by the adopting family. The biological mother's medical expenses as approved by a judge may also be covered.

• Biological mother may choose to remain a part of the baby’s life through open adoption.

• If a baby is placed into adoption, any pending legal charges against biological parents that may be filed during pregnancy or at birth are dismissed.