A Testimonial from One Our Adoptive Families
“From the moment we began working with Joining Hearts, we were met with incredible professionalism and a wonderful support network of people who were always available and approachable. We felt this program was truly ethical as their intentions were always to prepare a plan best for birth mother. Joining Hearts is a cohesive team of people who are for each and every client and it shows.”
-Carrie, adoptive mother.
Infant Adoption in Arizona
Unlike adopting from foster care, private adoption in Arizona happens when a birth mother voluntarily chooses adoption for her unborn or recently born baby and enlists an adoption agency to facilitate that process.
As an adoption agency, Joining Hearts does more than just connecting adoptive parents with birth parents. They manage the complicated process and provide professional, legal and emotional support.
Catholic Charities is the only Catholic adoption agency in Arizona; however, you do not need to be Catholic to obtain adoptive services with us. Married couples from every faith background are welcome.
Adoption Process in Arizona
Our adoption specialists provide education on the adoption process and work with you to complete your home-study assessment, handle legal services and work for the best possible match with a birth parent. Additionally, we believe in post-placement support. You will never feel alone. If an adoption related issue arises in the future, our team will help resolved it. Catholic Charities has been an adoption agency for over 85 years! Every year we help multiple families with information and support on past adoptions.
How are adoptive families matched to a baby?
Adoptive families complete an assessment that helps their adoption specialist match them to a baby and birth mom. This assessment is an opportunity for adoptive couples to consider all the factors that should be taken into consideration. While some things may be unknown or uncertain, other facts like medical history, drug use, mental health concerns, race, etc. are considered in the assessment.
Brian and Kristin carefully considered their assessment. “At first we were concerned about adopting a baby exposed to drug use or medical conditions like HIV, and then we prayed about it,” said Brian. “After prayer, we opened up to all the possibilities.” Soon after they were chosen to adopt a Safe Haven baby who had been surrendered at a local hospital. Adoptive parents cannot choose the gender of the child.
When can adoptive families and birth parents meet?
While birth parents who make an adoption plan can begin working with Joining Hearts as soon as they know they are pregnant, we recognize a lot can happen during a pregnancy. Once the birth mom reaches the third trimester, our adoption specialists will present her with all the couples who match her situation based on the adoptive family’s assessment and the birth mom’s circumstances and history. The birth mom will then consider each family. If chosen, a meeting will be scheduled.
When Karen and John were matched as adoptive parent, Emily, the birth mom opted for an open adoption, Karen was able to attend doctors’ appointments and ultrasounds. When Emily went into labor, Karen and John were both in the delivery room. John was even able to cut the umbilical cord.
Sometimes, women don’t decide to make an adoption plan until after they have given birth. When this happens, the birth mother is still presented with the matches, but the meeting may take place in the hospital. In some situations, a birth mother may choose an adoptive family and choose not to meet them.
Joining Hearts Team Member
“I am so fortunate to be able to work with an agency that truly cares about birth parents and adoptive parents. I carry with me always the privilege of meeting many women and couples who are making one of the most important decisions of their lives, and I do not take this for granted. Our goal at Joining Hearts is to always provide personalized services that demonstrate compassion and empathy while celebrating the gift of life.”
-Sharon Hopkins, Adoption Specialist
Success Stories Most Recent Posts
Becoming a Forever…
Council on Accreditation | GuideStar Profile | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Employee Login and Support | Board Member Login
Catholic Charities is committed to making reasonable accommodations to the special needs of individuals with disabilities meeting the eligibility requirements of all versions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) so these persons have access to available employment opportunities and services.
To contact us if you are deaf or hard of hearing, please dial 7-1-1 to access the free telecommunications relay service.
