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AFTH's Two New Programs for Expecting and Birth Parent Support
Adoptions From The Heart creates new programs to provide holistic support to birth parents.
(Wynnewood, PA) – Adoptions From The Heart (AFTH), a nonprofit open adoption agency, now offers two programs dedicated to expecting and birth parent support: Expectant Parent Pre-Placement Services and Birth Parent Post-Placement Services.
The services are designed to provide support to women before, during, and after placing their child for adoption. The mission of the programs will be carried out through Needs Assessments. During an intake, social workers gather information about a mother’s essential, medical, and transportation needs, mental health, and career goals. Based on the assessment, AFTH will provide resources to assist with the mother’s overall well-being.
Parents in need can request a donation from the Expecting and Birth Parent Support Fund to cover expenses such as groceries, clothing, and utilities. The agency can assist mothers with applications for medical assistance and transportation to and from doctor’s appointments. Interested birth mothers will also be connected to therapists to process the adoption and participate in free therapeutic workshops held by licensed social workers.
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Expectant Parent Pre-Placement Services include legal and social supports. AFTH can connect birth parents with adoption attorneys to assist with any legal concerns. The agency can also draft Postadoption Contact Agreements (PACAs) to outline the agreements that may be had between the birth and the adoptive family after an adoption is finalized. Expecting parents can seek assistance explaining their adoption to their family. The agency also connects expecting parents to support groups or birth parent mentors. The service provides expecting parents with guidance and reassurance by learning from someone who has shared their experiences.
The Expectant Parent Pre-Placement Services are led by Kristin Kachmar of AFTH’s Allentown office. Kristin has been with the agency for three years as a social worker. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from Marywood University.
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The need for new services arose from conversations among AFTH’s social workers. Kristin and fellow social workers realized birth parents received support before, during, and after placing their child for adoption. The agency needed roles dedicated to empowering and helping women in the long term and getting them out of the situations that might have led to them placing their child.
To learn more about Kristin Kachmar’s new role and AFTH’s services, visit: http://bit.ly/3aDTWYj
About Adoptions From The Heart (AFTH):
Adoptions From the Heart (AFTH) was founded in 1985 by Maxine Chalker, our President and CEO. Maxine, herself an adoptee, wanted to give adoption a new face by breaking down the barriers and taking some of the mystery out of the adoption process. AFTH is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide safe, loving homes for children and offer comprehensive, high-quality services to adoptive families, birth parents, and children. The agency is licensed in PA, NJ, DE, CT, VA, and NY.