If you live in Minnesota or northwestern Wisconsin, a HOPE social worker can meet with you either at our office or at a location you choose to explain how adoption works. You may make an appointment simply by calling HOPE. If you and your baby's other parent are making this adoption plan together, your social worker will want to meet with both of you, either together or separately.

Your social worker will help you consider whether adoption is the best option for you. We'll be there to answer your questions and help you find resources. We'll be part of your support network throughout the pregnancy, birth and placement; help you through the process of choosing an adoptive family and deciding how much openness you wish to have with them; arrange for your wishes to be carried out at the hospital and with a bridge care family (if you choose to have one), and ensure that the adoption goes smoothly for everyone involved.

Placement
You have the option of having your baby placed directly with the chosen family or going to a bridge care family – a family that HOPE has licensed to care for babies as they wait to join their adoptive family or until the birth parent is sure of their decision. The bridge care family provides a place where birth parents and adopting parents can visit the baby without feeling they're intruding on each other's lives.

There are two ways to transfer parental rights in Minnesota. One is by Consent signing, which can occur 72 hours after the baby is born and is irrevocable in 10 business days. The other way is by Termination of Parental Rights (TPR), which is done in court.

In Wisconsin, a TPR hearing is required and is scheduled shortly after the baby's birth (usually within three or four weeks).

After Placement
In many cases, there is continuing contact after placement between birth parents and the families who adopt their children. It may be through direct contact or HOPE may act as an intermediary between you and the family by sending pictures and letters through our office. We also can provide you with someone to talk with later on should you feel this would be helpful. We realize that the experience of placing a child for adoption is one that has lifelong implications. We respect the courage you are showing by considering adoption.

Costs
HOPE’s services to you and your baby are provided without cost to you. If you are concerned about other birth and adoption-related expenses, please let your social worker know so we can make arrangements to also have these expenses covered.