Our experienced staff is with you every step of the way.
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Call us anytime, 24/7.
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EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS.
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RECEIVE SUPPORT.
You are not alone.
If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, we are here to support you, provide you information about your options and empower you to make the decision that is best for you and your baby. Our compassionate and experienced staff is ready to help. You are not alone. We are here for you.
How we can help
Our Services
We offer the following free and confidential services to our birth parents in crisis.
Free and confidential support services
Medical expenses and other financial needs
Assistance with housing
Access to compassionate and experienced staff
Transportation
Our staff is available 24/7
Why choose WCS
When you first discover you are pregnant, you may feel hopeless and alone. We are here to provide you with non-judgmental, balanced and compassionate support as you explore your options. Whatever your decision, you will experience loss and grief. You deserve support and understanding. Let us help you as you make a decision that is best for you.
WE ARE...
A fully-licensed agency serving birth parents since 1911
Private and non-profit
Non-denominational
A Statewide Agency
Free pregnancy services
We can provide you with the following emotional and financial support.
Connect
The opportunity to connect with other women who have made this decision.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance for housing, food, transportation and prenatal care.
Support
Individual counseling, support, and understanding 24 hours/day.
Options counseling
Information and resources for each of your options.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, Wyoming Children’s Society is here to provide the help and support you may need at a difficult time in your life. For over 100 years, we have provided support and guidance to women in need.
The decision you make concerning your pregnancy will impact you and your baby’s life. This can feel overwhelming. However, we can provide you with information and discuss your options with you, which will help you make an informed decision about what is best for you and your baby.
Our professional staff is compassionate and experienced. We have worked with many pregnant women who have been in similar circumstances. While your situation is unique to you, you are not alone. We can help connect you with other women who would be willing to share their decision-making process and experiences with you.
Regardless of your decision, our support and services are available to you now and for years to come.
Your options
Women facing unplanned pregnancies have many options available to them. The decision is yours to make.
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Adoption
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Parenting
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Termination
Women facing unplanned pregnancies have many options available to them. Each of your options will impact you differently. It is important that you learn as much as possible about all your options so you can make a well-informed decision.
The decision is yours to make. Family and friends may try to support or influence your decision. Just remember, you do not have to make a decision today. Take time to discuss your choices and make a decision that will empower you. Regardless of your decision, we are committed to assisting and supporting you during your pregnancy and thereafter.
ADOPTION
Making an adoption plan is a loving and selfless decision. It is a responsible plan and takes time and commitment on your part.
If you choose to make an adoption plan, you have many decisions to make. Adoption has changed greatly over the years. Today, you can choose the family to parent your child. You can meet them and decide how much communication and contact you would like to have with them after placement. Your social worker will help you throughout this process and after the placement to ensure you are healing and feeling at peace with your decision.
Making an adoption plan is unique and special. Therefore, these are guidelines only. If you would like to view profiles of families waiting to adopt please click here:
TYPES OF ADOPTION
OPEN ADOPTION
In an open adoption, the birth parents can decide the level of communication. It is a relationship between the birth family and the adoptive family. The relationship is built on mutual trust and respect and always honors the best interest of the child. Open adoption may involve sharing identifying information such as last names, phone numbers, place of residence and email addresses. Letters and photos are shared directly between the parties. Visits can occur following placement as often as agreed upon by the adoptive parents and the birth parents. It is important that the expectations of each party be openly discussed prior to placement.
SEMI-OPEN ADOPTION
In a semi-open adoption, the birth parents usually select the family by reviewing profiles of waiting families. They will then meet the family, although identifying information is not shared. Communication is facilitated through Wyoming Children’s Society. The adoptive family will send letters and photos to the agency and the agency will forward these on to the birth parents. Visits may occur after placement. However, visits may be facilitated by the agency.
CLOSED ADOPTION
In a closed adoption, the birth parents may choose to select the adoptive family for their child or request that the agency select the family. Customarily, a closed adoption indicates that the birth parents do not wish to have visits or ongoing contact with the adoptive family prior to or after the baby is placed.
HelpFul Resource
Brave Love is a pro-adoption movement dedicated to changing the perception of adoption by acknowledging birth moms for their brave decision.
PARENTING
Parenting is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. It is a wonderful experience if you are fully prepared and you have support. In order to determine if you are ready for this responsibility, you must honestly review where you are in your life. You may wish to discuss this with your social worker to evaluate your readiness.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
- Can you financially support a baby?
- Do you understand the needs and developmental stages of infancy, childhood and adolescence?
- Do you have childcare resources when you return to work or school?
- Are you emotionally stable and ready for the stressors that come with parenting?
- Who will be your support system?
- How will the father of the baby be involved? Will he be able to help you with parenting?
- What are your career goals? What are your educational goals?
- Can you provide for your child’s needs?
If you decide parenting is the right decision for you, Wyoming Children’s Society can refer you to the following community resources to help you successfully parent your child:
- Prenatal/Childbirth Education
- Parenting Classes/Child Development Classes
- Financial Assistance Programs
- Day Care
- Job Training/Career Development
- Continuing Education Programs
TERMINATION
Wyoming Children’s Society does not provide termination counseling. If you have experienced termination of a pregnancy and are dealing with feelings of grief and loss, we can assist you in accessing support services.
Frequently Asked Questions
IF I WANT TO CONSIDER ADOPTION, WHERE DO I START?
If you choose to make an adoption plan for your child, we can offer you a complete range of services to help you throughout your pregnancy and for the months that follow. The process begins with you. You can tell us the characteristics you are looking for in an adoptive family. We will also share with you profiles of potential adoptive families. These profile books are created by the family and include individualized photos and information about their family. As you look through these books and read the passages, you can get a better sense of who the family is and if they may be a good match for you.
During this time, you can also think about what degree of openness you would like to have with the family. If you would like to you can view some of the families who are waiting to adopt by clicking here.
IS THERE A COST FOR SERVICES?
No, there is no charge for our services. Wyoming Children’s Society can help you with rent, transportation, food, and medical costs.
DOES SUPPORT STOP ONCE I DELIVER THE BABY AND FOLLOW THROUGH WITH ADOPTION?
No. Wyoming Children’s Society staff is available to you for as long as you need. Several years may pass and you may find yourself needing to reconnect with our agency. Our goal is to empower you to pursue the goals and dreams you may have identified when making your adoption plan. We want to help you feel successful in your life.
IS THIS MY DECISION ALONE?
Whenever possible, we want to include the father of the baby in the decision to make an adoption plan. However, there may be times when involving the birth father is not possible. If this is the case, we will work with you on how to navigate this decision without the birth father.
DO I HAVE TO GO TO COURT?
Wyoming laws are very simple and permit birth parents to voluntarily relinquish their parental rights to allow adoption without going to court. We will explain the legal process to you so you fully understand your rights.
DO I HAVE TO TELL ANYONE OF MY DECISION?
No, you do not have to tell anyone of your decision to make an adoption plan. However, it is always wise to have the support and concern of people you love and who love you.
CAN I CHOOSE MY BABY’S FAMILY?
Absolutely! It is often the best feeling to know you have carefully selected a family who will parent your child. You can decide how involved you want the adoptive family to be with your pregnancy. You may want the family present at the birth of the baby, or perhaps you would like them to be waiting in the hospital. These decisions can be up to you.
Some of our waiting families’ profiles are on our website. Click here if you would like to view them.
CAN I WRITE A LETTER TO MY BABY EXPLAINING MY DECISION?
Many birth parents write a letter to their baby explaining their decision and the love they feel for them. This is truly a keepsake and will be treasured by the adoptive family until the child is old enough to have it. Birth parents and their families often would like to give gifts to the child. This can easily be arranged and coordinated through our agency.
CAN I HOLD MY BABY AND SPEND TIME ALONE, EVEN IF I HAVE MADE AN ADOPTION PLAN?
Yes, you certainly can hold your baby and spend as much time as you would like together. Adoption is a thoughtful, intentional plan. It can show your love for your baby.
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Contact us.
Waiting Families
The following adoptive families look forward to meeting you and growing their families through adoption.
