The Childrens Home Of Pittsburgh

THE ORGANIZATION PROMOTES THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN.

PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY HOSPITALTHE CHILDREN'S HOME OPERATES A 30-BED, FREE-STANDING SPECIALTY HOSPITAL, WITH FOUR SPECIALIZED UNITS THAT PROVIDE CONTINUED ACUTE CARE FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN TRANSITIONING FROM HOSPITAL TO HOME. THE CHILDREN'S HOME IS A MODEL OF FAMILY CENTERED CARE AND SERVES AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL AND HOME. THE HOSPITAL OFFERS THE FAMILY THE "HANDS-ON" ABILITY TO DEAL WITH COMPLICATED TREATMENT PLANS AND TO RECOGNIZE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AT THEIR EARLIEST STAGES. IN ADDITION, WITH THE HELP AND INPUT FROM FAMILIES, THE CHILDREN'S HOME CREATES A CARE SCHEDULE THAT IS FEASIBLE FOR PARENTS TO MANAGE AT HOME. THE STAFF DEVOTES MANY HOURS HELPING FAMILY MEMBERS LEARN TO CARE FOR THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILD BY PROMOTING A PARENT-PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIP WHERE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS ARE PART OF THE CARE-GIVING TEAM.EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE ARE THE HALLMARKS OF THE CHILDREN'S HOME'S PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY HOSPITAL. THE MEDICAL STAFF INCLUDES: NEONATOLOGISTS, PEDIATRICIANS, AND PHYSICIAN SPECIALISTS. STAFF ALSO INCLUDES NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND REGISTERED NURSES WITH BETWEEN 2 AND 30 YEARS OF NICU AND/OR PEDIATRIC NURSING EXPERIENCE. CONTINUITY OF CARE IS CRITICAL TO THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF EACH CHILD. THUS, THE SAME PHYSICIANS WHO PROVIDED CARE FOR THE CHILD AT THE REFERRING HOSPITAL OVERSEE THE PATIENT CARE DURING DAILY ROUNDS AT THE PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY HOSPITAL. EACH CHILD'S CARE TEAM INCLUDES A PHYSICIAN, A PRIMARY CARE NURSE, A MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER, AN INFANT/CHILD DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST, AND THE PARENTS. AN INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT PLAN IS DEVELOPED FOR EVERY CHILD AND IS UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE STAY. A DETAILED DISCHARGE PLAN HELPS ENSURE THAT ALL NECESSARY CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING EQUIPMENT AND MEDICATIONS, ARE IN PLACE TO EASE THE TRANSITION TO HOME.FAMILIES HAVE THE OPTION OF STAYING OVERNIGHT AT THE CHILDREN'S HOME WHILE THEIR CHILD IS AT THE PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY HOSPITAL. WE CALL THIS NESTING. WE OFFER NESTING AT THE BEDSIDE IN SOME OF OUR PRIVATE PATIENT ROOMS, OR FAMILIES CAN STAY OVERNIGHT IN ONE OF THE PRIVATE BEDROOMS IN THE LEMIEUX FAMILY CENTER. THE FAMILY LIVING AREA INCLUDES EIGHT PRIVATE BEDROOMS, OR "NESTING ROOMS," THE AUSTIN LEMIEUX SIBLING PLAYROOM, FULL BATHROOMS, COMMON LIVING ROOMS AND KITCHEN AREAS, A WASHER AND DRYER, TELEPHONES, AND AN EMERGENCY NURSE CALL SYSTEM CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE NURSING STATION. THE NESTING ROOMS ALLOW FAMILIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO CARE FOR THEIR INFANTS PRIVATELY AND INDEPENDENTLY, INCLUDING OVERNIGHT STAYS, WITH THE REASSURANCE THAT THE NURSING STAFF IS NEARBY. THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIVE VISITING HOURS AT THE CHILDREN'S HOME, ALLOWING PARENTS' ACCESS TO THEIR CHILD AT ALL TIMES. FAMILY MEMBERS MAY VISIT AT ANY TIME, EITHER AT THEIR CHILD'S BED SIDE OR IN THE NESTING ROOMS. SINCE INCEPTION, 6,530 BABIES AND CHILDREN HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE CHILDREN'S HOME'S SPECIALTY CARE. ON AVERAGE, MORE THAN 350 FAMILIES A YEAR INTERACT WITH THE HOSPITAL. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IS 20.39 DAYS WITH A DAILY CENSUS OF 16.05.NURSING SCHOOLS IN THE HOSPITAL NURSING STUDENTS RECEIVE THEIR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE IN PEDIATRICS IN THE PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY HOSPITAL. EACH ACADEMIC TERM, THE SCHOOL SENDS STUDENTS TO WORK ON THE HOSPITAL FLOOR WITH PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE CURRENT LIST OF SCHOOLS INCLUDES:- CITIZENS' SCHOOL OF NURSING- FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY- OHIO VALLEY SCHOOL OF NURSING- ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY - UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH- WEST PENN HOSPITAL SCHOOL OF NURSING - DUQUESNE UNIVERSITYTHE PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY HOSPITAL ALSO TOURS MANY NURSING SCHOOLS AS PART OF THE STUDENTS' PEDIATRIC ROTATION. THE TOUR EXPOSES STUDENTS TO THE FAMILY-CENTERED ACUTE CARE SERVICES OFFERED IN A "HOME LIKE" ENVIRONMENT.

CHILD'S WAYCHILD'S WAY IS A PEDIATRIC EXTENDED CARE CENTER FOR MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO TWENTY-ONE. ORIGINALLY LICENSED TO AGE EIGHT, THE CHILDREN'S HOME WORKED WITH PARENTS AND LEGISLATORS TO RAISE THE AGE LIMIT TO TWENTY-ONE. ON AUGUST 3, 2012, GOV. CORBETT SIGNED HB 1960 IN A CEREMONY HELD AT THE CHILDREN'S HOME. CHILD'S WAY OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE OR SUPPLEMENT TO IN-HOME NURSING AND THERAPY CARE FOR MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN. LICENSED AS THE FIRST PEDIATRIC EXTENDED CARE CENTER IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, THIS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED TO FILL A GAP IN SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY. OVER SEVERAL YEARS OF STRATEGIC PLANNING, CONDUCTING SURVEYS AND PRUDENT FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FAMILIES HAD NO ALTERNATIVE TO HOME CARE FOR THEIR MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN. THIS LEFT FAMILIES IN NEED WITHOUT AN INCOME OR AN ABILITY TO RETURN TO WORK BECAUSE THEY HAD TO STAY AT HOME TO CARE FOR THEIR MEDICALLY NEEDY CHILDREN. CHILD'S WAY OPENED ITS DOORS IN MAY OF 1998 AND HAS NOW SERVED OVER 458 CHILDREN.ON A DAILY BASIS, CHILD'S WAY PROVIDES DAYTIME NURSING CARE (MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 6:30 AM TO 6:00 PM), CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, THERAPY SERVICES, EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, AND HIGH STAFF TO PATIENT RATIO (1:3). IN ADDITION, CHILD'S WAY OFFERS SPECIALIZED TREATMENTS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: WOUND CARE, FEEDING THERAPY, BLOOD DRAWS FROM PERIPHERAL OR CENTRAL LINES, OSTOMY CARE, TRACHEOTOMY CARE, GLUCOSE MONITORING, AND GASTROSTOMY FEEDINGS.CHILD'S WAY WAS AWARDED THE TOP DESIGNATION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS. THE CHILDREN'S HOME JOINS A PREMIERE GROUP OF CHILD CARE PROGRAMS WITHIN PITTSBURGH THAT MAINTAIN THIS HIGHEST RATING, OR 4 OUT OF 4 KEYSTONE STARS. THE KEYSTONE STARS PROGRAM IS AN INITIATIVE FOR QUALITY CHILDCARE IN PENNSYLVANIA AND PROVIDES STAFF TRAINING ANNUALLY TO ENSURE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CHILD'S WAY IS A SUPPLEMENTAL HEAD START PRESCHOOL PROGRAM SERVING 2 CHILDREN ON A DAILY BASIS. OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF HAVE ACCESS TO MORE MATERIALS AND TRAININGS THAT BETTER THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN. AS AN ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT, CHILD'S WAY RECEIVES SEVERAL VISITS A YEAR FROM:- THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY READING PROGRAM- CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER- PITTSBURGH YOUTH BALLET- SPECIALIZED VOLUNTEERS/PRESENTERS PROVIDING CULTURAL, MUSICAL, THERAPEUTIC, OR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.EDUCATIONUNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE RESIDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TOUR CHILD'S WAY AND THE PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY HOSPITAL AS PART OF THEIR CHILD DEVELOPMENT ROTATION. MANY PHYSICIANS WHO ARE ACTIVE MEDICAL STAFF HAVE FIRST BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE MEDICAL PROGRAMS OF THE CHILDREN'S HOME AS A RESIDENT.NURSING SCHOOLS IN CHILD'S WAYTHE CHILD'S WAY PROGRAM PROVIDES CLINICAL EXPERIENCE TO REGIONAL NURSING SCHOOLS AS PART OF THEIR CLINICAL CURRICULUM. SCHOOLS THAT PLACE STUDENTS IN CHILD'S WAY INCLUDE:- CITIZENS' SCHOOL OF NURSING- FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY- OHIO VALLEY SCHOOL OF NURSING- ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY - UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH- WEST PENN HOSPITAL SCHOOL OF NURSING - DUQUESNE UNIVERSITYALLIANCE FOR INFANTSTHERAPISTS FROM THE ALLIANCE FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS - AN ORGANIZATION FOR LICENSED THERAPISTS THAT IS THE MAIN POINT OF CONTACT FOR EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY - TOUR THE HOSPITAL AS ONGOING EDUCATION REGARDING RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

FOR MORE THAN 125 YEARS, THE CHILDREN'S HOME HAS BEEN RESPECTED IN THE COMMUNITY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR THE QUALITY OF WORK IN ADOPTION. MORE THAN 7,000 INFANTS AND CHILDREN HAVE BEEN PLACED WITH FAMILIES THROUGH THE CHILDREN'S HOME. THE ADOPTION PROGRAM PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, BIRTH FAMILIES, AND ADOPTED CHILDREN AND ADULTS. THE SUCCESS IS BASED ON A BELIEF THAT ADOPTION IS NOT A ONE-TIME EVENT, BUT A LIFELONG JOURNEY. THE PROGRAM OFFERS A LIFETIME OF SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGH A STAFF OF EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS. THE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY THE CHILDREN'S HOME INCLUDE INFANT PLACEMENT SERVICES, WHICH CONSIST OF BIRTHPARENT COUNSELING SERVICES, ADOPTIVE FAMILY SERVICES AND TRANSITIONAL INFANT CARE; POST ADOPTION SERVICES; PRIVATE ADOPTION SERVICES; INFERTILITY COUNSELING; RESEARCH AND REUNION; COMMUNITY EDUCATION; ADOPTION FROM FOSTER CARE SERVICES; AND SERVICES PROVIDED FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S STATEWIDE ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY NETWORK (SWAN.)THE CHILDREN'S HOME IS ALSO A LEADER IN THE FIELD OF OPEN ADOPTION. WE BEGAN CONDUCTING OPEN ADOPTIONS OVER 27 YEARS AGO AND HAVE LEARNED MUCH FROM THE CLIENTS WE'VE SERVED AND FROM SPECIALIZED STAFF TRAINING. OPEN ADOPTION CAN BE A REWARDING, POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR ALL INVOLVED - BIRTH FAMILIES, ADOPTIVE FAMILIES AND CHILD - WITH THE RIGHT SUPPORT.INFANT ADOPTION PROGRAM - THE INFANT ADOPTION PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:BIRTHPARENT COUNSELING SERVICES - PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING SERVICES PROVIDE BIRTHPARENTS WITH NONJUDGMENTAL SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE. IF THE BIRTHPARENTS CHOOSE ADOPTION, THE COUNSELORS ASSIST IN CREATING AN ADOPTION PLAN FOR THE BABY. COUNSELING AND GROUP SUPPORT IS PROVIDED DURING AND AFTER THE PREGNANCY. ADOPTIVE FAMILY SERVICES - ADOPTIVE PARENTS ARE OFFERED SUPPORT, COUNSELING AND EDUCATION. A THOROUGH ORIENTATION IS CONDUCTED FOLLOWED BY AN APPLICATION PROCESS AND THE COMPLETION OF A FAMILY STUDY AS REQUIRED BY PENNSYLVANIA LAW. A FAMILY IS THEN SUPPORTED THROUGH THEIR WAIT TIME, PLACEMENT AND FINALIZATION.TRANSITIONAL INFANT CARE - SHORT-TERM FOSTER CARE IS AVAILABLE FOR BABIES OF BIRTHPARENTS WHO NEED TIME TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT ADOPTION. TRANSITIONAL INFANT FOSTER FAMILIES ARE CAREFULLY SELECTED, APPROVED AND SPECIALLY TRAINED BY STAFF OF THE ADOPTION PROGRAM. THEY ARE SUPPORTED DURING AND AFTER THEIR TIME CARING FOR AN INFANT AND HELP TRANSITION INFANTS TO THEIR PERMANENT ADOPTIVE HOMES.POST-ADOPTION SERVICES - INFORMATION, EDUCATION, CONSULTATION AND SHORT-TERM COUNSELING ARE PROVIDED FOR INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES, AND FAMILIES DEALING WITH ADOPTION-RELATED ISSUES. A VARIETY OF ADOPTIVE FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS ARE ALSO OFFERED.ADDITIONAL SERVICES - IN ADDITION TO THE INFANT PLACEMENT SERVICES AND POST-ADOPTION SERVICES, THE CHILDREN'S HOME PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL SERVICES:PRIVATE ADOPTION COUNSELING SERVICES - WE OFFER INDIVIDUALIZED, SHORT-TERM COUNSELING SERVICES FOR BIRTHPARENTS IN PRIVATE ADOPTIONS. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF AN ATTORNEY, AT THE REQUEST OF THE BIRTHPARENT OR THE PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS, AND/OR IN FULFILLMENT OF A LEGAL REQUIREMENT BY THE STATE IN WHICH THE ADOPTION IS TO OCCUR.INFERTILITY COUNSELING - INFERTILITY-RELATED COUNSELING IS AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COUPLES AS THEY MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING THE TESTING AND TREATMENT OF INFERTILITY. THE CHILDREN'S HOME SUPPORTS THEM AS THEY COPE WITH RELATED ISSUES INCLUDING SEXUALITY, MARITAL CONFLICT, COMMUNICATING WITH FRIENDS ABOUT INFERTILITY, AND PERHAPS THE POSSIBILITY OF ADOPTION. SERVICES RANGE FROM SINGLE CONSULTATIONS TO ONGOING SUPPORT. AN INFERTILITY SUPPORT GROUP IS ALSO OFFERED ON A MONTHLY BASIS.RESEARCH AND REUNION PROGRAM - THE RESEARCH AND REUNION PROGRAM PROVIDES RESEARCH SERVICES AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR ADOPTED PEOPLE WISHING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR BIRTHPARENTS. SERVICES RANGE FROM BASIC BIRTH HISTORY INFORMATION TO FULL SEARCHES OF SEALED COURT RECORDS (AFTER COURT APPROVAL). THE CHILDREN'S HOME OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO BIRTHPARENTS WHO WANT TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE CHILDREN THEY PLACED FOR ADOPTION AND FACILITATES REUNIONS.COMMUNITY EDUCATION - COMMUNITY ADOPTION EDUCATIONAL EVENTS, OFTEN WITH CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEU'S), ARE SPONSORED BY THE CHILDREN'S HOME. THESE EVENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AGENCIES, AND INSTITUTIONS TO CONDUCT SEMINARS, TRAINING, AND CONSULTATION CONCERNING A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES SURROUNDING ADOPTION.SWAN PROGRAMTHE CHILDREN'S HOME OF PITTSBURGH OBTAINED A CONTRACT WITH THE STATEWIDE ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY NETWORK (SWAN) IN JULY OF 2012. THE MISSION OF SWAN IS TO HELP CHILDREN WHO ARE IN THE CUSTODY OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICE AGENCIES TO PREPARE FOR AND TO ACHIEVE PERMANENCY. THE ADOPTION PROGRAM PROVIDES SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF SERVICES UNDER THE CONTRACT. CHILD PREPARATION UNITS OF SERVICE ARE SESSIONS WITH CHILDREN THAT HELP THEM TO UNDERSTAND THEIR HISTORIES AND WHY THEY CANNOT LIVE WITH THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS. THIS HELPS CHILDREN TO BE WELL ADJUSTED IN THEIR CURRENT PLACEMENTS AND PREPARE FOR A PERMANENT PLACEMENT. CHILD PROFILES ARE ANOTHER UNIT OF SERVICE WHICH INVOLVES THE SOCIAL WORKER GATHERING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH FOR EACH CHILD AND COMPILING THAT INFORMATION INTO A DOCUMENT. THE DOCUMENT IS THEN USED TO HELP A CHILD'S FAMILY BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CHILD'S HISTORY AND TO HELP EACH CHILD BE MATCHED WITH THE BEST FAMILY POSSIBLE. THE CHILDREN'S HOME ALSO TRAINS AND COMPLETES FAMILY PROFILES ON FAMILIES INTERESTED IN ADOPTING THROUGH THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND SUPPORTS THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS OF BEING MATCHED WITH A CHILD. AFTER MATCHES ARE FACILITATED, THE CHILDREN'S HOME PROVIDES FOSTER CARE SERVICES TO THE CHILD AND FAMILY IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE PLACEMENT UNTIL FINALIZATION. POST PERMANENCY UNITS OF SERVICE ARE ALSO COMPLETED WITH FAMILIES WHO HAVE ALREADY ADOPTED THROUGH THE CHILDREN'S HOME. POST PERMANENCY UNITS OF SERVICE ALLOW THE CHILDREN'S HOME TO OFFER POST ADOPTION SUPPORT SERVICES TO ALL OF OUR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES. ADDITIONAL SWAN SERVICES COMPLETED INCLUDE HELPING COUNTY CHILDREN AND YOUTH AGENCIES DRAFT POST ADOPTION CONTACT AGREEMENTS BETWEEN BIRTH AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, WORKING WITH CHILDREN TO IDENTIFY PERMANENT RESOURCES FOR THEM, AND SUPERVISING THE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN AN ADOPTIVE HOME AS REQUESTED BY A COUNTY AGENCY.OUTREACH AND ADOPTION EDUCATIONTHE ADOPTION DEPARTMENT PROVIDES EDUCATION TO SOCIAL WORKERS, MEDICAL STAFF AND CASE MANAGERS AT MANY HOSPITALS IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE HOSPITAL STAFF FIND IT BENEFICIAL TO LEARN HOW TO BETTER SERVE THEIR PATIENTS WHO ARE CONSIDERING AN ADOPTION PLAN. MANY DO NOT HAVE THE TIME OR EXPERTISE TO COUNSEL THEM APPROPRIATELY THROUGH THE STAGES OF GRIEF AS THEY GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF LETTING GO OF THEIR CHILD. THE STAFF IS OFTEN RELIEVED WHEN THEY LEARN THAT THE CHILDREN'S HOME WILL HANDLE ALL OF THE LEGALITIES IN ADOPTION, AND THAT THE CHILDREN'S HOME OFFERS THE TRANSITIONAL INFANT CARE SERVICES AND ONGOING SUPPORT TO THE BIRTHPARENTS. THEY APPRECIATE KNOWING THAT WHEN THE CHILDREN'S HOME IS INVOLVED, THEIR PATIENT WILL BE TREATED WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT AND DIGNITY AND THAT THE ADOPTION WILL BE HANDLED PROFESSIONALLY BY MASTER'S LEVEL COUNSELORS WHO ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS PER YEAR.HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA OCCASIONALLY CONTACT THE CHILDREN'S HOME TO PROVIDE EDUCATION TO THEIR HEALTH AND FAMILY EDUCATION CLASSES OR AT HEALTH FAIRS. STUDENTS ARE INTERESTED TO LEARN ABOUT THE DETAILS OF ADOPTION AS IT IS TODAY, AS MANY ARE TOUCHED BY ADOPTION IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. IT ALSO GIVES THEM KNOWLEDGE TO PASS ON TO FRIENDS WHO MAY EXPERIENCE AN UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE. GUIDANCE COUNSELORS AND SCHOOL NURSES ALSO BENEFIT FROM ADOPTION EDUCATION BECAUSE THEY CAN BETTER ASSIST STUDENTS WHO MAY BECOME PREGNANT. FOR MANY STUDENTS WHO DO NOT FEEL AS IF THEY CAN PARENT A CHILD AND DO NOT WISH TO SEEK AN ABORTION, ADOPTION MAY BE THE ONLY REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR THEM. ONCE THEY UNDERSTAND ADOPTION, THEY ARE BETTER ABLE TO MAKE AN EDUCATED DECISION ABOUT WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM.