Adoption in Panama City, FL
Panama City Adoption, Home Studies and More
Adoption Services for
Birth Parents and Adoptive Families
Please choose where you’d like to begin:
Information about placing
a child for adoption
or
Information about adopting a child
Are you in Panama City, FL, and interested in learning more about open adoption? Lifetime Adoption coordinators are ready to answer your questions. Lifetime has connected birth mothers and loving adoptive families for over three decades. Our experienced adoption coordinators are here to guide you through the adoption process. As a nationwide leader in open adoption, Lifetime Adoption Agency will give you access to the education and resources you need through one-on-one support, webinars, articles, counseling, referrals, and much, much more.
Help for Pregnant Women in Panama City, FL
Are you experiencing a pregnancy you didn’t expect in the Panama City area? If this is causing you stress, help is available. Reach out to Lifetime Adoption, where a coordinator will give you all the information you need about open adoption and can help you make an adoption plan for your baby.
Does the thought of an adoptive family that is emotionally and financially ready to bring a child into their family ease your stress some? Through Lifetime Adoption, you can choose a family with the lifestyle and values desired for your baby. It may comfort you to know that you are not saying goodbye to your baby forever because you can pick a family that is open to the same amount of contact you want.
Unexpected expenses can be a part of an unexpected pregnancy. However, you can receive some help with these expenses if you are choosing adoption. Just ask your adoption coordinator for what you need help with, such as transportation to doctor’s appointments, food, maternity clothes, rent assistance, phone, and more.
Many times people only think of adoption in the case of newborns, but it is actually never too late to choose adoption. If you are struggling to parent a toddler, special needs child, or sibling set, Lifetime Adoption can still help you create an adoption plan.
That first call can feel uncomfortable but don’t hesitate to call or text Lifetime Adoption. You will get all information you need about our Florida adoption services in Panama City. A kind and non-judgmental coordinator is always available to listen and provide open adoption information to you.
Adoption Agencies in Panama City
Your Lifetime Adoption coordinator will provide you with information along with:
- Adoptive parent’s profiles that meet your criteria. You can be sure the Lifetime families have background checks and their home study completed.
- She will set you up with peer and professional counseling both during your pregnancy and after at no cost to you if you would like.
- There may be some assistance available for pregnancy-related expenses such as labor bags, maternity clothes, and other pregnancy items you may need
- And much more!
Adoption Counseling in Panama City
Peer counseling is also available. A Lifetime peer counselor is a birth mother who has chosen to help other birth mothers with the adoption process. A peer counselor can help you understand your emotions, and because she understands what you are going through, she can give you some good advice.
Maternity Hospitals in Panama City
- Who would you like in the room with you when it is time to deliver your baby?
- Who would you like to cut the cord? Perhaps the doctor or the adoptive mother or father?
- Who do you prefer holds and feeds your baby first?
These are just a few of the questions your adoption coordinator will ask you.
If you are in Panama City, the hospital with labor and delivery service is:
More Helpful Resources for Pregnant Women in Panama City
If you are homeless or are in a domestic violence situation, you first need to find safe housing. Here are some local resources for women’s shelters in Panama City and the surrounding area:
Salvation Army Domestic Violence Program
Panama City Rescue Mission
If you are struggling with hunger, WIC, which stands for Women, Infants, and Children, provides an EBT card to purchase healthy food such as milk, whole grains, eggs, cheese, vegetables, and fruit. This program is available for pregnant women and mothers of young children. They also provide referrals for local services. The WIC Program of Escambia County is a valuable resource. Learn more by visiting their website:
Addiction is a serious struggle for some women and getting involved in a treatment program is a brave step. It is important to involve a professional treatment center because it can be dangerous to suddenly stop using drugs if you are pregnant. You can have access to medications (like methadone and suboxone) that will help you slowly wean off the opiates if you are addicted to prescription drugs or opiates. Find a treatment center that offers counseling. Here is a resource in Bay County:
Treatment Center of Panama City
If you are in need of other resources, your Lifetime Adoption coordinator will help. She will provide confidential help for any issues you are currently dealing with. We can help with transportation, rent, maternity clothes, pregnancy verification, prenatal care, and more. Call or text today.
The Panama City Adoption Process
The adoption process can seem complicated but to get started is easy. Simply call or text Lifetime Adoption, or fill out the contact form. You will hear from a Lifetime Adoption coordinator who will give you all the information you need to begin your adoption journey.
Your Lifetime Adoption coordinator will show you how to access online adoptive family profiles, she can send you family profiles she believes would suit you and your baby, or if you do not want to choose, she can choose a family for you. You can look at Lifetime family letters and photos and review their personal information. Most families even have video messages you can view as well. Click here to view adoptive family profiles online.
The benefit of open adoption is that you will be the one to make all of the choices for yourself and your baby. You can decide if you would like the adoptive family to live in Florida or maybe another part of the country? You may want the family to practice a certain religion? Would you like your baby to be an only child at this time or to have brothers and sisters? You will share your preferences with your Lifetime Adoption coordinator, and she will help you find families she feels will be a good match.
If you are living in Panama City and experiencing some unexpected expenses along with your unexpected pregnancy, a Lifetime Adoption coordinator can help connect you with the resources you need. You may need assistance with prenatal care, and perhaps you could use some maternity clothes, other personal toiletries, or other pregnancy-related needs. Just let your coordinator know.
Ready to get more information? Give us a call or text today.
Other Paths to Adoption in Panama City
You may consider kinship or relative adoption if there is a family member interested in adopting your child. Remember, adoption is a legally binding and permanent option. All parties need to consider all the pros and cons. You will want to talk about boundaries and make sure everyone is on the same page.
Consider all of the adoption options before choosing the option that is best for you and your baby.
Adoption in Panama City, FL
Have you been considering adopting a baby or young child in Panama City, Florida? Your adoption journey can begin today. Getting started is easy. Just contact Lifetime Adoption, and a coordinator will be available to answer your questions and provide the information and resources you need. Lifetime Adoption in Panama City, FL focuses on open, domestic adoption.
First, fill out the free online adoption application. Your application will be reviewed, and once pre-approved, an adoption coordinator will contact you. You will get all the guidance and help you need to get started on your adoption journey. If you are in Panama City and are interested in adopting a newborn, toddler, or child up to the age of six, give us a call at 727-493-0933 to access more information.
You will find all the education referrals, resources, and support you need at Lifetime Adoption.
Begin the Adoption Process
Starting the adoption process is exciting and quite easy. Simply fill out our free online application. You will not be obligated in any way. When your application is reviewed, and you are pre-approved, you will hear from an adoption coordinator who will get you started on your adoption journey.
Adoption Attorneys in Panama City
Home Study Services in Panama City
Your home study will include background checks, submission of financial and employment documents, and a home visit by your home study social worker. You will also need to show proof of mandatory education hours required by the state of Florida.
Some of the documents you will need to submit are:
- Financial Statements such as pay stubs,tax returns, profit and loss statements, and any other supporting documents.
- Health statements from a medical professional.
- Five written references from friends, co-workers, or anyone else that know.
- Autobiographical letters that explain why you are choosing to adopt and how you feel about parenting, marriage, and what your hopes and dreams are
During your home visit, your home study social worker will interview all members of your household and make sure your home is a safe and loving home to raise a child in. The final home evaluation will be reviewed by the judge at your adoption finalization.
The state of Florida also requires twelve hours of education. You will be given many opportunities to access educational resources, such as classes, articles, webinars, and podcasts through Lifetime Adoption.
Finalization of Adoption at Court in Panama City
Adoption finalization is the final legal step of your adoption process. According to Panama City, Florida laws, this will happen no less than 90 days from when you get custody of the baby. During those 90 days, you will have one home visit within one week of the placement and an additional three visits. Your visits will be conducted by your home study social worker once a month until they are done.
All the legal paperwork and the finalization hearing date will be handled by your lawyer. Your hearing will most likely be at the Bay County Courthouse in Panama City. A judge will review all adoption documentation presented by your lawyer and will then issue the adoption decree. Time to celebrate!
Other Paths to Adoption
Panama City International Adoption Agencies
There are other adoption options, such as international adoption. The news highlights orphans in other countries at times, and some couples feel a call to adopt a child from another country. If you are considering this, be sure to work with an adoption agency that has a successful track record with adoption in the country you are interested in. Every country has its own customs, laws, and requirements. The political and social climate of a country can also affect an adoption.
Keep in mind that any political or social issues can interfere with your adoption plans. The nations in Africa, China, and Eastern Europe are often popular countries to adopt from. Popular international adoption agencies are:
Foster Care Adoption
Foster Care Adoption in Panama City
If you are interested in foster to adopt, you will work with the Florida Department of Children and Families. Through them, you will complete the steps needed to qualify as a Panama City foster family:
- Attend the mandatory foster parent orientation.
- Complete the required foster parent education. Have a fingerprint-based background check.
- Complete your mandatory home study
You can also utilize AdoptUSKids to adopt a child in the foster care system. There you can view the children waiting to be adopted from Florida and other states. All adoptive families need to complete a home study and fulfill all other requirements mandated by the state.
Generally, foster care and international adoption usually involve children with special needs and older children. In these cases, the cost of adoption can be lower, as can the wait time than domestic adoption.
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We are a Safe Haven Approved Agency.
Lifetime Adoption, Inc. is a Licensed Child Placing Agency in Florida. (License FL 100096562)
Lifetime Adoption, Inc. is a Licensed Child Placing Agency in Arkansas. (License AR #00050809)
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