Adoption can be a rewarding yet challenging process for all involved. For hopeful adoptive parents, the journey to grow their families can be filled with excitement and anxiety as they navigate the adoption process. For birth parents considering adoption, it is an emotionally complex decision made with the child’s best interest at heart. And for adopted children, it is a life-changing opportunity to become part of a loving, permanent family. With the help of local resources, we believe that families should be empowered to choose life through adoption to give every person their best chance at life. The movies “Lifemark” and “Bella” are great testimonials to the power of adoption.
Iowa’s Safe Haven Act
This is a law that allows parents─or another person who has the parent’s authorization─to leave an infant up to 90 days old at a hospital, healthcare facility, or with an emergency responder (firefighter or peace officer) without fear of prosecution for abandonment in the state of Iowa. Please note that every state has a Safe Haven Law, but the time period may be different.
- More than 60 children have been declared safe havens since the Iowa law was enacted in 2002. For more information on Iowa’s Safe Haven Law, you can visit Iowa DHS Website
Note: All states have Safe Haven laws, although provisions differ. For more information on other states, please visit National Safe Haven Alliance – Find A Safe Haven.
If you have further questions, contact us.
Lutheran Family Service
Lutheran Family Service has several services including adoption services, unplanned pregnancy support, marriage counseling, mental health counseling, church worker wellness, and youth and elderly outreach.
Lutheran Family Service provides adoption services in the following areas:
- Iowa
- North and Central Illinois (2.5-hour radius of East Moline)
- Eastern Nebraska (3-hour radius of Omaha)
- Eastern South Dakota (3-hour radius of Sioux Falls)
To learn more about adoption, contact the local organizations below for assistance.
Birthright of Dubuque
https://birthright.org/dubuque/
Clarity Clinic
https://clarityclinic.com/adoption
Financial Resources for help with adoption costs
America’s Christian Credit Union
Post Adoption Search
Catholic Charities
Offers a program that allows any adult member of the adoption to gain knowledge about the other parties such as non-identifying medical information or contact information.
In cases where members of an adoption group mutually agree to be reunited, Catholic Charities’ staff provides counseling to assist the individuals in emotionally preparing themselves, and evaluating readiness for the event.
Movies that are based on true stories of adoption (available to DCRTL members through our lending library)
Lifemark: David’s comfortable world gets turned upside down when his birth mother unexpectedly reaches out to him. With the encouragement of his adoptive parents, he embarks on a journey of discovery that leads to a staggering truth from his past. Click Here to Watch Trailer
Bella: Based on a true story, an international soccer star (played by Eduardo Verástegui) is on his way to sign a multimillion-dollar contract when something happens that brings his career to an abrupt end. A beautiful waitress (Tammy Blanchard), struggling to make it in New York City, discovers something about herself that she’s unprepared for. In one irreversible moment, their lives are turned upside down…until a simple gesture of kindness brings them both together, turning an ordinary day into an unforgettable experience. Click here to watch the movie on YouTube.