Many expectant parents and birth families desire to be involved in the adoptive planning for their children. Birth parents involved in voluntary placements may be allowed more active participation and decision-making responsibility than those involved in nonvoluntary placements. These parents are often involved in preplacement counseling and planning, the provision of medical and social history, the selection of an adoptive family, the determination of the level of ongoing contact with the adoptive family, and activities to help children understand the transition to adoption.
This section includes information for professionals to share with pregnant women and teens, birth mothers and fathers, and other birth relatives, as well as information to counsel and support these triad members to be as involved as possible in making plans for and with their children.