Adoption

How We Can Help You
Facts About Adoption
Information for Birth Families
Other Adoption Resources

How We Can Help You (back to top)

As you begin your adoption journey, we would like to be there for you!

Adoptions and Aid International is an adoption program sponsored by Jewish Family Service of the North Shore. We are a private, non-sectarian agency licensed by the Department of Early Education, and we have a unique program servicing adoptive and birth families throughout Massachusetts. We will educate you about domestic and international adoption.

If you are a potential adoptive parent, we offer you free consultation and counseling. If you choose to join our agency, we will continue to support you throughout your journey.

If you are a potential birth family, there are no fees whatsoever. We will walk with you and support you through your journey as you create a permanent plan for your child.

• We are small, personalized, knowledgeable, experienced and efficient.
  
• Home studies are started immediately after application submission and completed in a timely fashion, with a minimum of headaches!
  
• We have partnerships with agencies both nationally and internationally.
  
• We will provide assistance in all paperwork.
  
• Adoption is a lifelong process, and we continue to offer families post legalization services.

We look forward to serving you.

Please contact Ann Woodfork at (978) 564-0760 or anns@jfsns.org.

Ann Woodfork - Director of Adoptions, and an adoptive mom, has been serving adoptive families for 39 years. Ann works primarily with the adoptive family doing consultations, home studies and post placements. Ann White, Adoptive Specialist, is the birth mother counselor. She has been working in the field for 17 years. The “Anns” are always available.

We had a wonderful experience. The “Anns” were
knowledgeable, patient, understanding and so easy
to work with. They are what makes the program a
success.” Participant

Facts About Adoption (back to top)

• Couples, singles, non-traditional families, families with children can adopt. We have no age restrictions.
  
• Adoption can be expensive, and we will help in locating resources on how to fund your adoption.
  
• JFSNS maintains a list of adoptive families who are happy to hear from you and share their success stories. Please reach out to us for a current list of references.

Please contact Ann Woodfork at (978) 564-0760 or anns@jfsns.org.

Information for Birth Families (back to top)

Is your pregnancy unplanned?

Help is available.

Call Ann, a birth mother counselor who made an adoption plan for her baby years ago; she is someone who understands. She can help you plan for your baby, discuss the adoption process and parenting options. You will have an opportunity to choose the adoptive family, and the option to receive pictures and letters after placement of your baby.

We can meet in your home, our office, or a restaurant; day or evening appointments are available and family or friends are welcome. If the father is involved, he is also welcome. If the father is not involved, we will discuss the legal process to terminate his rights.

The most important thing is that you are not alone anymore. We will totally support you through your pregnancy.

Ann White is a professional counselor with experience to help you plan for your unborn child. Sensitive and caring, she will treat you with understanding and respect, knowing that taking the first step is very scary. Anything that you discuss with Ann is confidential and will not be shared without your written consent.

She offers counseling before and after the birth; many birth parents stay in touch long after the birth. You also have the option to have legal counsel of your choice. Medical and financial assistance are available. There is no fee for any services to birth parents.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP.

Call Ann White at 1-866-441-7878 (toll free) or email awhite@jfsns.org.

Other Adoption Resources (back to top)

www.odsacone.org – A Massachusetts-based adoption organization with regional chapters, ODS provides educational events for adoptive parents, adoptees and birth parents.

www.adoptivefam.org – A monthly publication with helpful articles and up-to-date adoption information on events and happenings.

www.adoption.com – An excellent central location for adoption information on the internet.

www.spence-chapin.org – One of our international partner agencies with programs in Korea, Guatemala and China .

www.carolinaadoption.org – Another international partner agency with programs in Russia, Guatemala , Armenia , Peru , China , Vietnam , and many other countries.

www.adopting.org – An excellent starting point for access to numerous other national and international adoption resources.

www.travel.state.gov/family/adoption.html – Information on international adoption with links to country specific sites.

www.massadopt.com - A Massachusetts adoption attorney and counsel for our adoption program.