Explore my Options
Pregnancy can be a stressful and confusing time, especially if it wasn’t planned or you’re unsure about what to do. Our Maternity Advocates are here to help you. We’ll give you all the information you need to make the best decision for you and your baby. Plus, we’ll help you set and reach your own personal goals.
Parenting
Many women really want to parent their child, but they face so many problems that being a mom feels impossible. Problems like not having a stable home, not having a way to get around, not having a job, and not having support from others can feel overwhelming. If you are in this situation, we will work with you to overcome as many of these challenges as possible to help you feel confident and ready to be a parent.
Adoption
Some women might think that adoption is the best plan for their child. Adoption is a permanent plan where a parent “gives up” their rights, and another family raises the child as their own. We will support you through the whole process, and you will be in control the entire time. We know you might have other important things happening in your life, so we also want to help you reach your goals beyond your pregnancy. Learn more about what adoption could look like here.
Other options
While Agape does not offer these services, we want you to know what is available if parenting or adoption doesn’t feel right for you. Each option has its own rules, requirements, and effects on the child and family. The best choice depends on your situation and what the child needs. If you need help finding these services, let us know and we can help connect you.
This is a service for kids who need a safe and stable place to live. Sometimes, kids can’t stay with their parents for different reasons, so they go to a temporary home that the state approves. In Alabama, the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) is in charge of child welfare. Kids might stay in foster care for a few days or many years, depending on the situation. The goal is usually to reunite the kids with their biological parents, but if that’s not possible, they might be adopted or get a guardian.
This happens when a child’s caregivers agree to place their child outside of their home with help from a child welfare authority. The caregivers must ask for assistance from the agency and sign an agreement. Federal law says that both the caregivers and the authority have to agree on the placement details. A judge is only needed if the placement lasts longer than 180 days. Caregivers do not need to give up legal custody of the child.
- Formal Kinship Care: Relatives are licensed by the state and get financial help.
- Informal Kinship Care: Relatives take care of the child without formal state involvement.
Like foster care, kinship care can be temporary or long-term, depending on the child’s situation and whether the biological parents can take care of them again.
This is a legal arrangement where a guardian is chosen to take care of a child when the parents can’t. The guardian has the legal authority to make decisions for the child. The court order will say how long this arrangement lasts, which can be from a few weeks to several months. Custody and guardianship orders can be reviewed and changed by the court if there are significant changes in circumstances. Either party can ask for a change if they think it’s best for the child.
- Split Custody: Each parent has full-time custody of one or more of the children when there are multiple children.
- Extended Family Custody: Extended family members can get custody through court orders.
- Temporary Custody: Temporary custody arrangements are often used in emergencies or while legal proceedings are ongoing.
Custody and guardianship orders can be reviewed and changed by the court if there are significant changes in circumstances. Either party can ask for a change if they think it’s best for the child.