In North Carolina, pregnant women cannot legally be “paid” in exchange for choosing adoption. However, as an expectant mother:
- Adoption is always free to you
- The law allows you to receive reasonable living and medical expenses related to your pregnancy up to six weeks after the delivery.
- We guide you to community resources for continued financial support so that you are self-sufficient after you have your baby.
Our adoption counselors are committed to helping you obtain as much financial and emotional support as possible during and after the adoption process. Below, find answers to your questions about financial assistance for birth mothers.
Does putting a baby up for adoption cost money?
The answer to this question is always no. As an expectant mother, you are entitled to all of the services and support you need throughout the adoption process at no cost to you, including the extensive emotional support provided by our licensed adoption counselors.
In addition, the costs of prenatal care, your hospital stay, and any other medical expenses related to your pregnancy will be covered for you, as well as any legal expenses you incur in connection with the adoption. We help you obtain Medicaid if you have not yet done so, and if you are covered by insurance the adoptive parents will pay the costs not paid by insurance.
How does financial assistance for adoption work in North Carolina?
While adoption for compensation is not legal, pregnant women and mothers can be “paid” for adoption in the form of pregnancy and adoption-related medical and living expenses.
When you decide to make an adoption plan with A Child’s Hope, your adoption counselor will work with you to create a budget. Your budget will include information about your income and any financial assistance you are currently receiving, as well as your financial needs that aren’t being met. Once your counselor understands your financial situation, she can provide the financial assistance you need to cover your “living expenses,” including:
- Rent or mortgage
- Utilities
- Groceries
- Transportation including gas for your care
- Maternity clothing
- Medicines
According to North Carolina adoption laws, women who choose adoption can receive these living and medical expenses throughout their pregnancy and up to six weeks after their child’s birth.
Whatever your financial needs, your adoption counselor will work with you to ensure you have all of the resources and support you need to keep yourself and your baby safe and healthy during the adoption process. Based on your circumstances, she may also be able to help you find additional resources to meet your needs, such as community housing for mothers placing a child for adoption, food banks, government programs for support, and more.
Do living expenses continue after the adoption?
Your adoption counselor cares about you and wants to ensure your needs are being met, not only during the adoption process, but also after placement. You can continue to receive reasonable living expenses up to six weeks after your baby is born.
In addition, your counselor can help you access community resources that will continue to benefit you long after the adoption. If you need help affording medical care, groceries, or finding a place to stay, there are many options available to you — and your adoption counselor will help you find them.
Taking the Next Step to Receiving Adoption Financial Assistance
Your adoption counselor is committed to helping you make the best decision possible for yourself and your baby — and that decision should not be made based on financial concerns. As a woman considering adoption, you deserve to have peace of mind that your financial needs will be met during your pregnancy. We offer financial support to help keep you and your baby healthy, and to allow you to focus on the important decision you are making.
To learn more about the emotional and financial support we can offer during your pregnancy, call or text us to speak with an adoption counselor any time, with no obligation.
Click a star near where you live on the NC map to see what counselor would be assigned to you
Kelly Dunbar
Adoption Counselor/Homestudy Supervisor - Triangle
As an adoptive parent I truly have a passion for adoption. There is no greater joy than helping to create a family! I love this job and I love working with adoptive parents as well as the birth parents. When it all comes together it is an awesome experience! Kelly is a graduate of NC State University where she earned a Bachelor of Social Work. She also received her Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Kelly has been working with children, families, in the home and in communities for 18 years. Kelly has been working with birth mothers and adoptive parents for the last 5 years. Besides working, she has a great husband and three fabulous children, Landon, Parker and Ansley. Kelly and her husband adopted their daughter with the help of ACH and feels as though her personal experience helps her relate to other adoptive families.
Sloane Mosley
Greensboro
Sloane completed her undergraduate degree in Human Services Counseling at Old Dominion University and holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Sloane has been working with children, birth mothers and adopting families for more than 10 years. She loves advocating for children and helping women during pregnancy.
Lakisha Brown
Winston-Salem
Lakisha completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology with a concentration in Social Welfare at Winston-Salem State University. She received her Master of Social Work from Syracuse University. Lakisha has worked with children, individuals and families for more than 12 years. Her experience includes working with at-risk youth, homeless children and families, child mental health, as well as school social work and case management. She is also a long-time basketball fan, a former player and coach. She played at Winston-Salem State University and coached women’s basketball at Elon University and Syracuse University. Lakisha and her husband reside in Alamance County, with their young son.
Jessica Otolinsky
Asheville
Jess completed her undergraduate degree in Communication at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Messiah College. Her professional experience includes case management, education, women’s behavioral health including a focus on pregnant mothers, and working with kinship and domestic adoptive families who have experienced trauma. Jess is a native of central Pennsylvania though loves living in Asheville with her significant other. When she is not working, she is likely caring for her puppy and dog, painting, practicing yoga, camping or planning her next road trip to see family and friends or have an adventure in some new place!
Sylvia Senbel
Charlotte
Sylvia is a graduate of Western Carolina University, where she earned a Bachelor of Social Work. She also received her Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina. Sylvia has been working with children and families for more than 19 years. She enjoys gardening, reading, hiking, and spending time with her husband and three boys. She also loves animals, especially her dog Jazzy.
Nicole Barnes
Jacksonville
Nicole completed her undergraduate studies at Chowan University in Psychology with a concentration in Alcohol & Drug Studies and a minor in Criminal Justice. Nicole has provided services to adolescents, teens, college students, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Parole and Probation, the NC Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Transportation, and the Department of Defense. She is a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor and has been working in the mental health field for 15 years.
Suzanne Mangum
Triangle
Suzanne was the primary pregnancy care manager stationed at Duke high-risk perinatal clinic for 20 years. She has a BS in Social Work at UNC Pembroke and is a licensed School Social Worker. She recently worked as a case manager in a substance abuse disorder residential program for women with young children. Suzanne is a “Durhamite” but has resided in Wake County since graduating. Her biggest accomplishment has been happily raising her 14 yo daughter and 3 poodle mixed pups.
