Q. Is Graceful Adoptions a licensed adoption agency?
A : Yes, Graceful Adoptions is a full-service, licensed adoption agency in the state of Iowa. We work with clients nationwide by meeting each state’s requirements through a network of agency partners.
Q. How does Graceful Adoptions ensure that babies are placed with great families?
A: At Graceful Adoptions we are very selective when it comes to the families we work with - our screening process is incredibly thorough. We’re confident that the families we present to expecting parent(s) will provide a safe, secure and loving environment for their baby. Learn more about Adoptive Parents.
Q. Why does Graceful Adoptions have such great success matching and maintaining relationships compared to some other adoption agencies?
A: Our success is based on three main factors:
1. We are selective with regards to the expectant and adoptive parents we work with.
2. We don’t match expectant and adoptive families until the third trimester, thus we can get to know expectant parents before we match them with a family.
3. We genuinely care for expectant and adoptive families. This is a good foundation for building relationships.
Q. How much will the adoptive family know about the expecting parent(s)?
A: That will depend on the type of adoption selected; open, semi-open or closed. With a closed adoption only medical and social history is shared, while with an open adoption names and contact information are exchanged, any more than that is based on the relationship established.
Q. Will the expecting parents and the adoptive family talk before the adoption?
A: That depends on the type of adoption and the preferences of the expecting parent(s). The expecting parent(s) will have the opportunity to think through this and discuss it with their Adoption Partner. Then, once they decide what is best for their baby, they will include it in their Adoption Plan. If they decide to have contact with the adoptive family, the first contact is usually over the phone.
Q. Does the birth father have to be included in the adoption?
A: In most states the birth father will be notified of the adoption. But the adoption can proceed whether he signs a “consent to adoption” form or chooses not to be involved altogether. If he is supportive we will work with him to make sure we have all the information for a successful adoption.
Q. Can the expecting mother’s parents stop her from choosing adoption?
A: In most states parents cannot legally stop an expecting mother from creating an adoption plan or working with Graceful Adoptions. However we encourage every expecting mother to try to include their parents in their decisions so they can better understand why adoption is the right choice.
Q. Should friends be informed about an adoption decision?
A: We usually recommend sharing the decision with close friends so that they may provide support, however if a decision is made to keep an adoption plan confidential, Graceful Adoptions will honor that request. The Adoption Partner will help decide what is best for each expecting parent.
Q. Will the expecting mother be able to see the baby in the hospital?
A: The expecting mother’s wishes are followed throughout the adoption process. She can see the baby, hold the baby, feed and change the baby…it’s her choice. And if she wants to include the adoptive family, she can do that, too. Of course, if she prefers not to see the baby, we will honor her wishes and the baby will be placed with the adoptive family immediately.
Q. How do expecting mothers cope with their emotions after the birth of their baby?
A: Having a baby is always an emotional experience. Adoption only makes it more emotional. She may feel sadness, loss, regret and many other emotions…all are completely normal. That is why we help expectant mothers create a support plan that she can rely on.
Q. Who is eligible for the Dreams Made Real Scholarship Program?
A: At Graceful Adoptions we truly care about ALL expecting parents. Our Dreams Made Real Scholarship Program is available to any woman who has placed a child for adoption, regardless if she worked with Graceful Adoptions or another agency.
Q. As an Adoptive Parent how do I get started?
A: The first step in our process is to fill out and submit our Agency Application and Fee. To see our complete process visit "Our Process".
Q. How does an adoption home study work?
A: An adoption home study is a process that ensures the adoptive parents are ready to parent an adopted child. Although the requirements vary by state, most adoption home studies include at least two face-to-face meetings, with at least one taking place in the home. It also includes medical, financial, social and criminal background checks which can take up to twelve weeks to complete. Once a family decides to adopt a child, beginning the home study as quickly as possible is highly recommended.
Q. Can adoptive parents choose the baby’s gender?
A: Yes, a specific gender may be requested. However, keep in mind that the more you narrow your preferences, the longer it’s likely to take to create a match.
Q. Is there an additional fee to select the baby’s gender?
A: No additional fees are charged to specify a gender.
Q. Will adoptive parents receive medical or background information about the baby’s mother?
A: Yes. Expecting mothers complete medical and social history forms which are provided to the adoptive parents.
Q. Does Graceful Adoptions request expecting mothers to see a doctor?
A: Yes. We want to do everything we can to ensure the mother and her baby are healthy, thus every mother
who works with Graceful Adoptions is encouraged to see a physician.
Q. Does the agency ask expecting mothers to provide proof of their pregnancy?
A: Yes. In some states proof is required in order to provide certain benefits to pregnant women such as health insurance.
Q. When do the expecting parent(s) terminate their parental rights?
A: Although each state has its own laws regarding this, the process typically starts after the baby is born…usually within 48 hours of the baby’s birth.
Q. What happens if the adoptive parents become pregnant while waiting to be matched?
A: Congratulations!! Graceful Adoptions will allow you to continue as a waiting family however your home study must be updated with this wonderful news.
Q: How is an adoptive family matched with a child?
A: The match is created by the expectant parent(s). Based on information expectant and adoptive parents answered similarly, the expectant parents will be provided with several profiles for review. After considering each profile they will then decide if they want to talk with a few adoptive families, or they might decide they’ve found the one family that is perfect for their baby.
Q: When does Graceful Adoptions typically match adoptive and expectant parents?
A: Graceful Adoptions’ policy is to wait until the expecting mothers’ third (3rd) trimester prior to matching her with an adoptive family. This allows Graceful Adoptions to get to know the expecting mother, while avoiding unnecessary challenges which often occur with making a match too early in the pregnancy.
Q: What type of information is shared with the adoptive family to help them decide if they want to accept a match?
A: The adoptive family is provided with several documents at the time a match is presented:
1. Proof of pregnancy,
2. Expecting parent(s) medically diagnosed conditions,
3. Expecting mother’s drug and alcohol usage, if any, and
4. Medical and living expenses which may apply.
Q: Does Graceful Adoptions work with the adoptive family through the finalization of the adoption?
A: Graceful Adoption maintains contact with the adoptive family through finalization and beyond. The laws of most states prevent Graceful Adoptions (or any other agency) from representing the adoptive family for the finalization of the adoption. However, Graceful Adoptions will work with the adoptive family’s attorney to ensure they have all the necessary information to finalize the adoption. If the adoptive family does not have an adoption attorney, Graceful Adoptions is happy to recommend one to complete the adoption.
Q: I see that Graceful Adoptions has very reasonable fees, when are the fees due?
A: The Application Fee is due with the submission of the Agency Application.
The Family Profile Fee is due with the submission of the Family Profile.
The Family Activation Fee is due at the time the Agreement is executed.
The Agency Fee is due in two equal parts. The first installment is due upon execution of the Match agreement, the second installment is due 30 days prior to the expected delivery date.
Q: What is included in the Agency Fee?
A: At Graceful Adoptions, we want to help adoptive parents budget for their adoption expenses, therefore we include more in our fees than is typically included in adoption agency fees. The Agency Fee covers expenses associated with matching your family with an expecting mother, up to three hours of birth mother counseling, as well as up to three hours birth father counseling. Most agencies charge separately for these fees.
Q: What is Graceful Adoptions' refund policy?
A: If a match is disrupted through no fault of the adoptive parents, they may elect to; 1). Apply 100% of the Agency Fee paid to their next adoption through Graceful Adoptions, or 2). Request 75% of the Agency Fee paid refunded to them.
Q: What options exist to reduce the cost of adoption?
A: The most significant savings comes from the Federal Adoption Tax Credit which may reduce your costs up to $12,650, other benefits include various state tax deductions, credits from the US Military up to $5,000, as well as many employers offer adoption benefits. In some cases, adoption costs may be reduced to almost nothing.