The birthparents with whom we have had the honor of working so far this year have been extraordinary men and women. They have made their adoption plans in many states including: Washington State (2), Massachusetts (2), Pennsylvania, California (3), Texas, Kansas, New Hampshire and Vermont. We have been impressed by the devotion and support many birthfathers have given to birthmothers during a time that is both physically and spiritually challenging. Many of our birthparents have shown a lot of trust and openness to the adoptive parents and have created warm relationships with them.
We have witnessed great strength and courage in these birthmothers during their pregnancies and placement periods. Many birthparents are already parenting children, and are very loving and capable parents. Other birthparents, who are placing their first child, will go on to be wonderful parents at a later point in their lives. We have been moved to see birthmothers caring for their children, caring for themselves physically while pregnant, and making time for telephone conversations and meetings that may be involved in considering an adoption plan. Often birthparents have shared their hopes and dreams for their child with the adoptive parents. It has been an honor to witness the love and commitment of birthparents through their thoughtful planning for the future of their child.
Birthparent Buddy Program One birthmother recently acknowledged that it may be easier to access this network after making an adoption plan, as opposed to before. She observed that, prior to making an adoption plan, a woman may worry that someone may urge her in one direction or another. Or, if there is sadness around the corner, one may feel reluctant to hear about those feelings. The Buddy Network is available whenever birthparents want to connect with others who’ve considered similar plans. If it’s most helpful after the decision to place or parent, that’s fine. We understand. If it can be helpful while you’re waiting, this is fine too. Please know that the women and men who’ve agreed to be in the Buddy Network know how important it is to you to have the space to listen to your own heart. They remember how important it was for them to have this space as well. Birthparent Support Group Please Note: Folks who've attended the Support Group have included individuals who placed their children recently as well as those who’ve placed many years ago; folks who've placed through Full Circle and through other agencies. We welcome everyone including folks who decided to parent! Thanks for your courage in considering this group! Hope you'll keep coming! Birthparent Request Column
Please note: For birthparents and adoption professionals with whom we are working in states other than Massachusetts, we continue to follow the law of your state. We are pleased to report that, as of April 1998, Massachusetts regulations have changed to be more consistent with what is permitted elsewhere in the US. Massachusetts adoption agencies can now provide allowable living expenses to birthmothers for a period up to six months during the pregnancy and up to 6-8 weeks (depending upon medical need) after delivery. For birthmothers who may be in school and worried about continuing, the new regulation also allows up to $500 per month for educational or vocational services during the pregnancy. A complete copy of the legislation is available upon request from either our agency or the Office for Child Care Services (617) 727-8900. We routinely provide a copy of 102 CMR 5.09 to all birthmothers with whom we are working and anyone else upon request.
During several recent placements, there were heartfelt decisions made by birth
and adoptive families to be more open than the agency's typical "semi-open"
adoptions. In one case, the adoptive and birthfamilies visited each others' homes
and met members of their extended families. In another case while the birthmother,
child and adoptive parents were in the hospital, the birthfamily introduced the adoptive
parents to visiting family as “Jane and Tom, Sarah’s parents.”* (*using
different names for privacy reasons). In another case, the birthfather and adoptive father
shot "pool" as they talked and got to know each other. After the
surrenders and placement documents were signed, the two families shared a meal together
and spent several hours admiring the baby they all loved, before the adoptive family
returned home. Most birth and adoptive families remain comfortable with a semi-open approach (where they meet and know each other's first names, but not necessarily last names or addresses). But we've been interested and warmed to bear witness to the degree of connection that has sprung spontaneously from the relationships that have developed during the adoption process. Thank you to all the families for your courage and openness of heart. We are fortunate to have the expertise of many clinical social workers with expertise in adoption. These colleagues offer to counsel and assist birthparents during their decision-making process and prospective adoptive parents with homestudies and support during the adoptive process. This column will serve to introduce you to them.
We are fortunate to enjoy the expertise of several clinical social workers with expertise in adoption. These colleagues offer to counsel and assist birthparents during their decision-making process and prospective adoptive parents with homestudies and support during the adoptive process. This column will serve to introduce you to them.
Laura Lewis has been promoted to supervisor of office staff. In addition to her work for Full Circle, Laura has been on the Board of Directors of the Hampshire Community Action Commission, a local group dedicated to assisting low and moderate income families with needs such as affordable child-care. Thank you for your great work for Full Circle! Melissa Vincent has joined the staff as a graphic design consultant. We are also pleased to congratulate Melissa on her upcoming engagement to Tom Banerjee.
Barbara Fell-Johnson is the founder and head librarian of the Hampshire County Law Library in Northampton, MA. Barbara is the Clerk/Treasurer of our Board of Directors and is a tireless researcher with regard to legal matters related to adoption. Thank you Barbara for your participation in Full Circle Adoptions.
If you are a family (or know of a family) who might like to offer a
"welcoming home" please let us know. It can be a rewarding experience
to participate in an adoption through offering a young woman a short term place to live. Agency clinicians interview the birthmother prior to relocating her and educate her as to guidelines and house rules. We would also meet with the Welcoming Home family and the birthmother to insure that it is a good match. The birthmother frequently stays for 1-2 months during her pregnancy and usually wishes to return to her home state within 1-2 weeks after delivery. Thank you for considering this request! We are particularly eager to find homes in a 10-20 mile radius of the Agency in Northampton. Please call Director Marla Allisan with questions and/or interest in this program.
Our While You Wait group meets the first Tuesday of each month at Full Circle’s Northampton office. The group is facilitated by Mary Siano LICSW.
Child sizes: S, M, L - $10 Please include $3 for postage and handling and indicate size and color.. Send to: Full Circle Adoptions, 38 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
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Note: We are happy to send you a hard copy of the newsletter at your request. Expectant Parent Request for Services - Adoptive Families You Can Choose - EP Testimonials - EP FAQ - Expectant Parent Center This site Copyright 2007 by Marla Allisan JD, LICSW. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is strictly prohibited without express written permission from Full Circle Adoptions.. To request permission for reuse please send us an e-mail. |
Congratulations to Al and
Sue and big sister Kaleigh on the arrival of Madison Rose; Betsy and Frank on the arrival
of Isabelle; Terry and Corinne and big brother Alex on the arrival of Devon; Anders and
Catherine on the arrival of Mia; Ashley and Matt on the arrival of Chaney; Sue and Keith
(and big sisters Cory-Jean and Karen ) on the arrival of Benjamin David; Ellen on the
arrival of Dvora Rose; Chris and Elan and big brother Alex on the arrival of Julian
(Jules); Petra and Travis on the arrival of Tanner and Monica and Rob on the arrival of
Caroline! We rejoice with all our families on the good health of your children and the
love that you will share in the years to come.
She has since
offered to be a part of the buddy network. She has some perspective on how one may feel
about an adoption plan years after the placement. We are happy to include women and men
who have completed adoptions elsewhere. Thank you, Susan, for making yourself available to
other birthparents and for your enthusiasm concerning our web site.
Many prospective clients wonder what Full Circle Adoptions'
"position" is concerning openness. Full Circle's "position" is that we
follow the comfort level of our clients. We consider it part of our role to educate
clients about the wide range of options open to them. We also encourage clients to learn
about openness even if they don't think openness will suit their needs. If birthparents
who choose you, and whom you also like, are asking for some openness, you will be glad to
have read and considered this ahead of time. We have assisted with closed, semi-open
(first names only) and fully open adoptions. We are open to different degrees of
communication: let us know what is comfortable for you!
Molly
Reynolds, M.Ed., MSW, works at Full Circle counseling birthparents, helping
prospective adoptive parents with their “Dear Birthmother” letters and various
other social work activities. Molly has a private psychotherapy practice in Northampton
where she specializes in working with adopted children and adults, as well as with
adoptive families. Molly is an adoptee and has many years of experience working in this
field. She is on the steering committee for the local chapter of the Open Door Society and
is a member of TRY, an adoption resource and referral agency. She received her M.Ed. in
Counseling Psychology from the University of Massachusetts in 1990 and her MSW from
Springfield College in 1997.
Congratulations
to Director Marla Allisan, JD, LICSW on the recent publication of her
chapter "Adoption", co-authored with Donna Truesdell (a nurse) in Helen Carcio's
book recent excellent medical textbook on infertility. The book is published by
Lippincott. Feel free to call us for copies of the chapter.
The
welcoming home family receives a modest sum ($400-500) per month to defray costs
associated with the housing. The Agency provides financial assistance for food, maternity
clothing, as well as rent/utilities. The agency social worker assigned to the birthmother
will provide emotional support and help her with applying for Medicaid and accessing other
resources as needed. 
Thank you to
families and individuals who have contributed to this fund. We are hoping
to create a fund which will have sufficient resources to provide revolving loans and
outright grants for adoption expenses for families of modest means. Thank you for
considering this. Please remember that any contributions are deductible as
charitable contributions!
Our
100% cotton t-shirts are available in 4 vibrant colors: bright blue,
yellow, bright pink and lavender. Net proceeds will be directed to the adoption
assistance fund. Please be sure to state size with order.