1. Are You Ready to Parent? Can I financially provide for my child?
Will my child have a “father figure” in his life?
Do I have supportive relationships in my life?
Will I have time to properly care for a child?
Am I ready to be a parent?

2. Safe Delivery Program
Effective January 1, 2001, a new law was passed to end the tragedy of unwanted newborns being hidden and left to die.

3. What does the new law provide?
Unharmed newborns, up to 72 hours old, can be taken to an Emergency Service Provider (ESP), meaning a uniformed or otherwise identified employee of a fire department, hospital or police station that is inside the building or on duty. Parent can leave the infant without giving any identifying information.

4. What are the rights of the surrendering parent?
Parent has the right to be informed that surrendering the newborn, the parent is releasing the newborn to be placed for adoption
Parent has 28 days to petition the court to regain custody of the newborn
Information the parent shares with ESP will not be made public and no criminal investigation will be initiated solely on newborn surrender.

5. What will happen to the baby?
Medical needs assessed and met and placed with a pre-adoptive family.
After 28 days a public hearing is held to terminate parent’s rights (public notice only, surrendering parent is not personally informed, nor is name published, even if known)
Infant is placed for adoption

6. Can the parent provide background information?
Identity of both biological parents
Prenatal care information
Family medical history and any parental substance use
Sign a release of parental rights
Receive information about confidential medical care mother may be in need of herself

7. Does this law encourage parental irresponsibility?
There is no evidence from other states that such laws encourage abandonment.
The purpose of this law is to reduce the tragic loss of life when parents of newborns react out of fear and panic.
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8. Adoption Options
In an Open Adoption, the birth parents and the adopting parents exchange identifying information. 
In a Closed Adoption the identities of the birth mother, birth father, and adopting family are not shared with each other.  The birth parents and adopting family can meet, share pictures and updates, and have ongoing contact through the agency, but they do not share last names, addresses, and other identifying information.

9. Adoption Resources Bethany Christian
Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan
Catholic Human Services of Northern Lower Michigan
DHS - Department of Human Services
American Adoptions