The season two premiere of Adoptions From the Heart’s (AFTH) podcast, Heart to Heart, is up on Spotify. This week’s episode is led by Jenna Smith (Domestic Program Manager), Kristin Kachmar (Expecting Parent Services Manager), and Amanda Aliberti (Post Placement Services Manager). Kristin and Amanda explain their new roles and how their wrap-around services benefit expectant and birth parents.
Expecting Parent Service Manager
The Expecting Parent Service Manager role came from the lack of focus on expecting parents’ needs. In many cases, expecting parents’ needs were being overshadowed by the needs of the child. The role provides much-needed support and advocation for the parents. A Needs Assessment is now a part of every expecting parents’ plan. A Needs Assessment allows social workers to support their clients in more than just their pregnancy needs, like the need for proper food and shelter.
Post Placement Service Manager
The Post Placement Service Manager came from the desire to establish more long-term support for birth parents. Placing a child can be a difficult time in his or her life. This role provides services to help improve struggling birth parents’ circumstances. Also, workshops for resume building and interviewing were created, along with support groups and options for financial aid.
Wrap-Around Services
These two roles provide wrap-around services by advocating for and supporting parents from pregnancy to after the child is born. Therefore, the need for support does not end when the child is placed. Having a sustainable plan for the future is important, and AFTH wants to provide information, support, and opportunities to its expectant and birth parents. Many of these parents live on or below the poverty line. As a result, Financial support in emergency situations comes from adoptive parents’ and from community members’ donations. This supports those who want to attend a college, university, trade school, or obtain a GED. Both new roles strive to provide a path to those who would like to make beneficial changes in their life.
Appointments and Transportation
Physically supporting expectant parents means assisting in their medical needs. Some need help finding an OB-GYN that aligns with their insurance. Others need help obtaining insurance. AFTH can accompany women to their prenatal appointments whether it be for emotional support or for access to transportation. Having someone with you who understands the adoption process can alleviate uncomfortable situations, like a doctor not knowing to use adoption positive language. Physical transportation is a barrier that can prevent many expectant parents from the services they require. As a result, AFTH has its own Uber account to provide aid to Birth Parents needing to get to different appointments.
Support Groups
Along with physical, tangible support, AFTH also advocates mental support. Support groups and peer-to-peer mentorship help both expectant and birth parents in their journeys. Likewise, we also offer in-person, Zoom, and Facebook support groups. Having these platforms allows people to share their stories to heal. It also provides invaluable insights to parents struggling in similar ways. Giving people an outlet and a place to have their voices heard is a powerful part of the healing and growth process. In conclusion, a strong support network allows people to connect and break through barriers.
To listen to this podcast go to S2 Ep.1 – In-Depth Support & Wrap Around Services for Expecting and Birth Parents by A Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart • A
