Adoption in Pasco County
Are you pregnant and considering adoption in Pasco County? We are a Florida adoption agency based in New Port Richey (on Congress St.), serving Pasco, Pinellas, and Hernando counties with adoption answers 24 hours a day via our talk and text line at 1-800-923-6784.
With a modern Florida adoption, you can learn about the adoption choices you have like:
- The Adoptive Parents. You can pick from many approved adopting parents, both in Florida and other states. You can talk to them and get to know them first if you wish.
- Contact After Adoption. You can decide if you want updates like letters and pictures, connections on social media, or even getting together for an annual visit – these create an open adoption. If you prefer no updates, that is an option too.
- The Help You Need. If you need financial assistance, we can help! Help with rent, food, transportation, even your cell phone bill. Let us know what your needs are, and we can help you get it.
- The Hospital Plan. You can see and hold your baby, even decide who is in the delivery room with you. (Many women in Pasco County will deliver at Trinity Hospital but we can work with you anywhere!)
- Counseling & More! There are many other things we can help you with if you want. Every woman is in a different situation and we want to help you design a custom Florida adoption plan.
A Pasco County Adoption Agency
Located locally at 6640 Congress St., Suite101 in New Port Richey, we are convenient, between Main St. and Massachusetts Ave. You can stop by and visit, or reach us 24 hours a day by phone or text. We can also meet you for coffee or lunch if you would like to learn more in person from one of our caring adoption coordinators.
If you already have had a child removed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, we can help you. Many women are still able to create a custom adoption plan even if their children are in Florida foster care. Call us and we can help you evaluate your unique situation to see if an open adoption is possible.
How Does Adoption in Florida Work?
The first step is simply to call or text and speak with a caring adoption coordinator. Everything is private and they can help answer your questions and share about the process. Typically, the adoption process follows a pattern like this:
- Speak with a coordinator about your specific situation. Receive information by email, mail, or in person including a questionnaire and more about approved adoptive families.
- Choose a family (or more if you wish to speak to more than one), talking to them to see if they are the ones you would like to choose as your child’s parents. Complete the questionnaire and return it with a proof of pregnancy.
- Work with your coordinator to create a hospital plan. When you deliver, your baby will usually leave the hospital with the adoptive parents and you will sign the legal papers with an attorney a day or so later.
- Theresa had just graduated Gulf High School here in New Port Richey and was enrolled in Pasco Hernando Community College, hoping to become a teacher. Over the summer, she discovered she was facing an unplanned pregnancy. We were able to help her stay on track with her goals and make an adoption plan for her baby boy. She choose a family in Miami, so she could easily have visits twice a year.
- Angela had lost her children through foster care due to drug use, so when she found out she was pregnant again, she called asking “What do I have to know to find a family for my baby.” We met with her at a coffee shop in Downtown Dade City and explained the options she has by choosing adoption in advance, instead of just letting the state take the baby into Florida foster care. We were able to help her find a family who were open to a drug-exposed baby, so she could have an open adoption with this child.
- Kara was pregnant and homeless by the Anclote, and her first thought was “I don’t want the baby.” We were able to help her get stable by getting shelter first, then getting seen at Trinity Hospital for some immediate medical needs. We continued to work with her, helping her sign up for Medicaid at the government center and getting some help with food through the WIC office. When she was ready, she chose a family for her baby and started planning a different future for herself. Ultimately, she was able to get a job in Holiday and is doing well today.
There is no cost to you. You can receive help with your pregnancy related expenses. And we are here with you every step of the way to walk with you.
We want to help you plan for your future too! So ensuring you have pregnancy counseling is important to us, as well as planning for life after adoption.
Local Florida Adoption Stories
We can help you explore safe pregnancy options for you in your situation. Here are a few examples:
Questions from Pasco County Pregnant Women Considering Adoption
Can I pick a family for my child or children in foster care?
In many cases, yes you can. This is called an “intervention” and we are happy to help you learn more about that. The benefits of requesting an intervention when a mother is about to have her parental rights terminated (TPR) is that she can choose the family and have an ongoing relationship with them, so she can get updates about the child or children. An open adoption resulting from an intervention has benefits for everyone, including the child.
Where can I get a pregnancy test?
Call us or come in our office and we can help with that! We can also make a referral and help you get signed up for Medicaid or health insurance, as well as the Florida WIC program which will help you with food.
Can I get financial help for choosing adoption?
Yes, Florida Adoption Law allows women in Pasco County choosing adoption to receive help with pregnancy related expenses. This can be for food, shelter, transportation, clothing, utilities, and more. Call us to learn more!
I’m pregnant and going to jail. What do I do?
We can help you make an adoption plan in jail. We have worked with women in Land O’Lakes Jail and other Pasco County correctional facilities put their baby up for adoption. We can come meet with you if you are allowed visitors and you can still choose the parents and have contact afterwards.
What do I have to know to find a family for my baby?
You really don’t have to know anything – we will help you find adoptive parents for your baby who have had thorough background checks and screening. We will walk you through each step of the way.
Can you meet me? Can I come to your office?
YES! We would be happy to come to you with adoption information, including information on waiting families. We can also help you complete the questionnaire and answer your questions. We can meet you for coffee or lunch or meet-up somewhere like Southgate Shopping Center or the Outlet Mall. You are also welcome to come to our office in New Port Richey. We are on Congress St., not far from SR 54 or downtown. You can bring your baby’s father, your mom or sister, or a friend if you need some support.
What if I’m further away?
We can help you get adoption help in Zephyerhills, Hudson, Crystal Springs, even up in Lacoochee! We are a Florida licensed adoption agency so can work anywhere in the state. Pasco County is our home and we have helped women all over the county! We are also right on the Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) bus route, not far from Baycare Hospital.
Isn’t this just the same as Pasco County Safe Haven?
No, making an adoption plan in advance gives you more control than just choosing Safe Haven at the last minute. You can pick the parents now, which is important if there is something important to you, like the race of the family, special interests, or where they live. It’s even more important if you want updates about how your baby is doing. If you would prefer to choose Safe Haven, we are a Pasco County Safe Haven location and you can drop your baby off safely with us any time. We won’t judge you or your situation.
I’m still in high school. Can I do adoption?
Yes, we can help you learn about adoption. We have helped students in Anclote High School, River Ridge High School, and Fivay High School learn about adoption for their babies. You are not alone! We have helped many pregnant teens learn more about adoption and discover if it is the right choice for them. We can meet you somewhere if you want to learn privately, or you can call or text us anytime. Everything is completely confidential.
I’m in a Pasco County Drug Rehab program. I used drugs and alcohol during my pregnancy. Is there a family that would adopt my baby?
Yes! Every baby is adoptable! We work with adopting parents who are ready for drug-exposed or alcohol-exposed babies. Your adoption coordinator will not judge you, nor will the family. Just be honest with her and she will be able to find families for you to choose from. We have helped many women in similar circumstances, and they have found beautiful relationships with the adoptive parents.
I don’t know who the father is. It was some guy I met at Sims Park or Green Key. Does that matter?
Just share all the information you have with us and we will handle the rest. Every state, including Florida, has guidelines for terminating the rights of an unknown or unlocatable birth father. Here in Florida, in includes the Putative Father Registry, maintained by the Florida Department of Health. Depending on your circumstances, we will walk you through each step with legal assistance as needed.
I’m in Wesley Chapel. Is that too far from you?
I’m a student at St. Leo College and I have a 3-year-old. I’m finding I don’t have any time with him, and I want more for him than spending his life in daycare. Is it too late to do adoption?
No, not at all. We help with child adoption or toddler adoption frequently. It is never too late to choose adoption. You can still pick the family for your child and have contact (open adoption) afterwards. We help with a transition plan, so everything proceeds at your (and his!) pace. There is no cost to you for choosing adoption.
We are a hopeful adoptive family. Do you provide services for parents too?
Yes! As a fully licensed Florida Adoption Agency, we provide adoption services as well as Florida Home Study services for hopeful adoptive families. Please call our office at 727-493-0933 to learn more.
Questions from Pasco County Pregnant Women Considering Adoption
Can I pick a family for my child or children in foster care?
In many cases, yes you can. This is called an “intervention” and we are happy to help you learn more about that. The benefits of requesting an intervention when a mother is about to have her parental rights terminated (TPR) is that she can choose the family and have an ongoing relationship with them, so she can get updates about the child or children. An open adoption resulting from an intervention has benefits for everyone, including the child.
Where can I get a pregnancy test?
Call us or come in our office and we can help with that! We can also make a referral and help you get signed up for Medicaid or health insurance, as well as the Florida WIC program which will help you with food.
Can I get financial help for choosing adoption?
Yes, Florida Adoption Law allows women in Pasco County choosing adoption to receive help with pregnancy related expenses. This can be for food, shelter, transportation, clothing, utilities, and more. Call us to learn more!
I’m pregnant and going to jail. What do I do?
We can help you make an adoption plan in jail. We have worked with women in Land O’Lakes Jail and other Pasco County correctional facilities put their baby up for adoption. We can come meet with you if you are allowed visitors and you can still choose the parents and have contact afterwards.
What do I have to know to find a family for my baby?
You really don’t have to know anything – we will help you find adoptive parents for your baby who have had thorough background checks and screening. We will walk you through each step of the way.
Can you meet me? Can I come to your office?
YES! We would be happy to come to you with adoption information, including information on waiting families. We can also help you complete the questionnaire and answer your questions. We can meet you for coffee or lunch or meet-up somewhere like Southgate Shopping Center or the Outlet Mall. You are also welcome to come to our office in New Port Richey. We are on Congress St., not far from SR 54 or downtown. You can bring your baby’s father, your mom or sister, or a friend if you need some support.
What if I’m further away?
We can help you get adoption help in Zephyerhills, Hudson, Crystal Springs, even up in Lacoochee! We are a Florida licensed adoption agency so can work anywhere in the state. Pasco County is our home and we have helped women all over the county! We are also right on the Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) bus route, not far from Baycare Hospital.
Isn’t this just the same as Pasco County Safe Haven?
No, making an adoption plan in advance gives you more control than just choosing Safe Haven at the last minute. You can pick the parents now, which is important if there is something important to you, like the race of the family, special interests, or where they live. It’s even more important if you want updates about how your baby is doing. If you would prefer to choose Safe Haven, we are a Pasco County Safe Haven location and you can drop your baby off safely with us any time. We won’t judge you or your situation.
I’m still in high school. Can I do adoption?
Yes, we can help you learn about adoption. We have helped students in Anclote High School, River Ridge High School, and Fivay High School learn about adoption for their babies. You are not alone! We have helped many pregnant teens learn more about adoption and discover if it is the right choice for them. We can meet you somewhere if you want to learn privately, or you can call or text us anytime. Everything is completely confidential.
I’m in a Pasco County Drug Rehab program. I used drugs and alcohol during my pregnancy. Is there a family that would adopt my baby?
Yes! Every baby is adoptable! We work with adopting parents who are ready for drug-exposed or alcohol-exposed babies. Your adoption coordinator will not judge you, nor will the family. Just be honest with her and she will be able to find families for you to choose from. We have helped many women in similar circumstances, and they have found beautiful relationships with the adoptive parents.
I don’t know who the father is. It was some guy I met at Sims Park or Green Key. Does that matter?
Just share all the information you have with us and we will handle the rest. Every state, including Florida, has guidelines for terminating the rights of an unknown or unlocatable birth father. Here in Florida, in includes the Putative Father Registry, maintained by the Florida Department of Health. Depending on your circumstances, we will walk you through each step with legal assistance as needed.
I’m in Wesley Chapel. Is that too far from you?
I’m a student at St. Leo College and I have a 3-year-old. I’m finding I don’t have any time with him, and I want more for him than spending his life in daycare. Is it too late to do adoption?
No, not at all. We help with child adoption or toddler adoption frequently. It is never too late to choose adoption. You can still pick the family for your child and have contact (open adoption) afterwards. We help with a transition plan, so everything proceeds at your (and his!) pace. There is no cost to you for choosing adoption.
We are a hopeful adoptive family. Do you provide services for parents too?
Yes! As a fully licensed Florida Adoption Agency, we provide adoption services as well as Florida Home Study services for hopeful adoptive families. Please call our office at 727-493-0933 to learn more.