Who are we?
As one of the largest private adoption agency in the United States, Bethany has been bringing families together since 1944. Bethany Christian Services of Northern California is part of a network of Bethany branches across the country. California's first office was established in 1981.
We are licensed by the State of California to provide the full range of domestic adoption services. We exist as a not-for-profit agency; our funding comes from the Christian community and through adoption service fees.
Our Primary Mission
"To express God's love by providing superior services that protect and enhance the lives of children, young people and their families."
Our Adoption Program reflects Bethany's "ministry" emphasis, and is committed to providing compassionate, sensitive yet professional services to each member of the adoption triad:
Adopted Child
Birthparents ............Adoptive Parents
Bethany works
"to assure that the needs of
all parties are fully and equally met."
Adoptions have changed
Agencies have changed, too. At Bethany, we assist our clients by designing their adoption based on their unique needs and comfort levels. Traditional closed adoptions have become quite rare. Birthparents are actively involved in selecting and meeting their child's adoptive family and having ongoing communications throughout the years. The positive benefits of these connections are also recognized by adoptive families. Relationships between birthparents and adoptive parents develop - relationships that are built on mutual trust and respect - all with the child's best interest in mind. There are a wide range of options in open adoptions. Education, counseling, and mediation are vital in creating a successful adoption.
We Believe:
- the child is central in an adoption plan
- adoption is a positive way of creating families
- adoption is NOT for everyone
- adoption is NOT a cure for infertility
- adoption is a lifelong process
- parenting by adoption is different from parenting a biological child
- birthparents and adoptive parents can successfully join together in planning for the child’s future
- agency staff acts as mediators and facilitators, NOT controllers
- open adoption is NOT the same as co-parenting; it is however an honest and humane approach to adoption for all involved
Procedures
Bethany is looking for couples who...
- are committed Christians and actively involved in a Christian congregation
- have been married for 3 years or longer
- are experiencing fertility problems
- can meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial needs of a child
- are open to learning, stretching and growing through the unique joys and challenges of adoption
- want to join the ministry of Bethany in promoting life affirming options
What are the steps?
- Application / Orientation
- Education
- Assessment / Approval
- Adoption Planning
- Placement
- Post-Placement Follow-Up
- Finalization
- Post-Legal Counseling Services
Fees:
Fees or costs are dependent on location. Additional fees or costs may be “passed-through” to adoptive families for the payment of reasonable pregnancy related expenses of the birth mother and child. Specific fee information is available upon request. more>>
Designated Adoptions:
If you are already involved with a birth mother in adoption planning, consider utilizing Bethany's Designated Adoption Program. Assessment, counseling, mediation as well as legal services to both parties are provided to ensure a mutually agreeable adoption plan.
We, at Bethany, recognize...
...the heartache of infertility
...your desire to become parents
...the strength it takes to pursue a second choice (not second best) way of building your family
We, at Bethany, like you, trust...
...in a sovereign God who has our best interests at heart even more than we do!
 If you would like to learn more about parenting by adoption and of our adoption services, consider joining the ministry of Bethany.
Rules for acceptance and participation in the program are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, religion, or handicap.We are members of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and the Council on Accreditation (COA).
|