Traditional agency matching... a placement system where the agency selects the parents for a particular child, based on their own criteria; the birth parents and adoptive family having communicated background and preference. The birth parents and family have little or no involvement in the actual decision-making and selection.

Designated adoption … occurs when the birth parent or parents specifies the adoptive family or the adoptive family specifies the birth parent(s).

Traditional adoption... the identity and personal information regarding the birth parents and adoptive family are kept confidential. Minimal non-disclosing information is shared, such as health history. After the infant or child is placed with the family, there is no contact between the birth parents and the adoptive family or the child.

Birth parent family selection.. .the current system used by many agencies where the birth mother and possibly the birth father choose the couple that will adopt their child. They may select them from agency home studies and profiles; this is defined as an agency match. If the adopting couple and birth parents have met outside of the agency and have the agency facilitate the adoption process, this is termed a designated adoption.

Open adoption... the non-traditional adoption situation where the birth parents and adoptive parents may have contact prior to the birth of the child and may have some contact after the child is released for adoption. They may or may not know last names, addresses, etc. They know a great deal about each others backgrounds, family history, lifestyle, situations, etc. They have an agreed to some amount of contact with the child. They may exchange pictures and letters, video tapes and progress reports periodically or they may have visitation with the child. Each case is highly individual and planned according to the degree of openness desired by all involved.

Adoptive family profile... a brief letter with accompanying photographs from a potential adoptive couple that serves as an introduction to a birth mother who is in the process of choosing a family for her child. Several profiles are given to the birth parent that meet her specifications for a family, i.e. race, physical description, background, education, income, etc. She then picks those families that interest her. The agency then provides more information on each “chosen” couple. In a family profile, usually only first names are used, last names and address are kept confidential.

Networking... this is the process used by adoptive couples to find a birth mother who is planning adoption for her child and is interested in them as prospective parents. If they find one, then this would be a “designated” placement, not an agency’s matched adoption ...see terms defined above.

Voluntary Release... .the birth mother chooses as adoption plan for her child and willingly and knowingly relinquishes her rights to the child. The biological father may voluntarily relinquish his rights or they may be terminated by the judge in court at the release hearing if he is found to be unsuitable or incapable of parenting the child, or if he has shown no interest in the mother and child and has not been supportive emotionally or financially during the pregnancy.

Putative father... this is the biological father of the child as confirmed by the birth mother; paternity testing usually has not been done. If the mother names a man as the “biological” father, and if she testifies in court that he is the only possibility, he is found or identified as the biological father. This may be confirmed by a paternity test.

Legal father... is the term given to a man married to the birth mother; he may or may not be the “putative” or “biological” father. Since he is still legally married to the birth mother, his rights must also be relinquished and/or terminated.

Contested Release... happens when a birth mother plans adoption and the birth father opposes her decision. He has the legal right to appear in court and present his case before the court, with or without an attorney. If he successfully prevents the adoption, the mother may choose to parent the child, or he may petition the court for custody if she is willing.

Direct Placement... occurs when the child is released directly to the adopting couple before the temporary placement hearing is held. A parent of the child may make a direct placement of the child for adoption by making a temporary placement or a formal placement. A temporary placement becomes a formal placement when the court orders the termination of the rights of the parent or parents and approves placement of the child.

Maternal Rights... the birth mother has the right to custody of her child; if she plans adoption, she may take the child home until the release hearing or sign it over to the agency that places the baby with licensed foster care parents or licensed foster care adoptive parents, or temporary transfer custody to the adoptive parents. The hearing is typically scheduled shortly after the birth of the child, about two weeks later. Birth mother has the right to change her mind regarding adoption anytime before or even at the time of the hearing. She has the right to appeal to the court for a re-hearing within 21 days; her request will probably not be granted unless she can prove duress, fraud or coercion. She can not simply change her mind without presenting a very serious reason.

Paternal Rights... the birth father has the right to be notified of the child’s birth; if he has not previously signed away his paternal rights to the child. He may do this before the child is born. If he has no contact with the mother, he must receive notification of the birth and of the scheduled release hearing. He must have a full two weeks notice.

Pre-placement Assessment… also known as a Home Study on Adoptive Parents. The agency is required to give the parent an opportunity to review the pre-placement assessment.