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ATLANTA--The Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Program of Catholic Social
Services, Inc., sponsored its first Birth Parent Conference April 25 at the
Holiday Inn at Peachtree Corners. This conference was the first in the
Southeast and is planned to be an annual event.
This conference was a response to the open adoption services for birth
parents at CSS and placed an emphasis on the role of the birth parent in the
adoptive family they help create.
Sixteen birth parents and extended family members participated in this event
which recognized that the act of making an adoption plan is a lifelong decision
that deserves honor and respect. The event also recognized that birth parents
need their loss to be remembered and supported in the years after the placement
of a child. In the past, many birth parents were expected to “forget”
about the child whom they had placed.
Kate Coopersmith of the Barker Adoption Agency in Maryland, who is a birth
mother herself, was the keynote speaker. Her discussion challenged participants
to use the experience of placing a child for adoption to define who they were:
courageous, strong and adapting individuals. Rosalyn Roesel, a therapist from
Savannah, also led a discussion group for extended family members.
One participant noted that “you don’t have to have a large number
of people to have a sacred event.”
The event has led to the formation of a monthly Birth Parent Support Group.
This group will meet on the third Thursday of each month. For more information
about the support group or services for birth parents, please contact Michelle
Heekin at the Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Program of Catholic Social
Services, Inc., at (404) 885-7467.
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