Agency vs. Private

Adoption Agency

What Is Provided for the Birth Family

During pregnancy, the adoption counselor of the agency provides emotional support and helps the birthparents think through issues that surround an adoption decision. The agency can also provide transportation to appointments, basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, plus assistance applying for social services.

Birthparents choose from several available adoptive parents. The adoption agency gives peace of mind knowing that each family accepted into our program has already spent months in the background check and preparation process. Along with personal references and FBI background checks, we spend hours in the interview process to investigate their motivation to adopt, their finances, safety in the home, etc. Adoptive parents receive ongoing training about open adoption relationships, talking with the children about adoption, maintaining relationships with the birthparents throughout the years, etc.

If the birthparents have already met a prospective adoptive family outside the agency, they can bring that relationship to APO for the benefits of counseling, training, and legal details. This is called an identified adoption.
At the hospital, your APO caseworker is there for you – just as much (or as little) as you desire. It is our job to advocate for you and ensure your needs are met. We can help communicate your adoption plan to the hospital. We can help communicate your wishes to the adoptive family.

If you decide to follow through with your adoption plan, APO handles all the legal details for the termination of parental rights.
Your agency caseworker is there for you during the difficult days to follow. There is grief in adoption to be sure.
APO remains part of your support system for as many years as you need us. We have regular support groups for birthparents and well as a family picnic where birth families and adoptive families can make sweet memories together.

Private Attorney

What Is Provided for the Birth Family

The birth mother and adoptive couple find each other and then bring their relationship to the attorney. An attorney may make recommendations but does not provide counseling. They generally do not provide matching and screening services. The adoptive family isn’t required to have the home study, background checks, safety checks, finances, etc. until after the baby is placed in their home.

The attorney handles the legal details of the termination of parental rights.

APO helped through the hardest thing I'll probably ever have to go through! The lady I worked with was so much help. They helped me with a lot, from counseling to helping financially. From phones calls, text, emails, and meetings, they always check up on you to make sure things are going ok. They always offer to come to you instead of going into the office. I will forever be grateful for their help. Absolutely loved APO!!!

Hannah

Absolutely the best and most supportive agency ever! Both of our children are APO kids and they're still there for us during the teenage years! What I truly love about this organization is they are truly there for the birth families and a lot of young mothers that choose to parent; they give them so much support.

Lois D.

Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach is a wonderful organization!! Our student group, Pro-Life Aggies, has babysat during and provided dinner for their Mama's Club in the past, and we've seen first-hand how caring they are toward these young mothers and their children. APO is doing such great things for mothers in College Station/Bryan!

Pro-Life Aggies

Our hearts are full and our family is complete. APO truly has the best interest of the children at heart. They guideded us and the birth mom step by step trough a stressful and emotional process. They were always available when we had questions or concerns. We appreciate that they take the time to build a one on one relationship with the adopting families and with the birth moms.

Lori Brown

I started volunteering at Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach the fall of my freshman year of college. APO has many wonderful programs for those needing support during/post pregnancies. I am blessed to volunteer with such a compassionate organization, and watch many lives be touched. God is truly working through APO!

SSK

I was going through a very tough time, and this organization held my hand the whole way. I experienced working with Karla, who by the way is sweet as ever! When I came home from the hospital from having my baby, I was really depressed. I was refusing to talk to anyone because I had just given my baby boy up for adoption. Karla kept reaching out to me until I was ready to talk about it. Without APO I don't know where I would be today. I am very grateful for having them when I was at my lowest, and I will always remember the great staff.

Terria

My family came to this organization during a painful time when we had a hole in our heart. We were seeking out different organization and doing research to find our next step. We came to APO just to listen and learn. It didn't take long before we knew this was the perfect place for us. They are more than just a resource for family with unplanned pregnancy and for families seeking adoptions. They are a home for the hurting that provides a family no matter what caused the pain. The members of the staff soon turn into a brothers/sisters or uncles/aunts. They can’t fix your pain, but they vow to walk with you in it. Through their experience, love, wisdom and trust, you soon find that your path you’re on seems a little less lonely because they are with you and it makes a worlds different!

Jean

Great staff and family friendly atmosphere! The people involved truly want to serve and care deeply about the young mothers and children they are able to work with. Awesome opportunity for fellowship and community!

Jordan Szura

Amazing! My wife and I adopted both of our children through APO. The staff at APO does an amazing job helping birth parents and adoptive families through one of the most difficult and happiest times of their lives. They show kindness and compassion to everyone they work with and are both professional and loving at the same time. We love sharing our kids adoption stories, and APO is a huge part of both. We have referred several friends to APO and will continue to do so.

Grant Irons

APO has been such an incredible blessing to us and to our community! We joined the APO family in June of 2011, when we attended an adoption seminar. We had no idea the amount of support and priceless friendships that we would receive....and most importantly our precious son!! The amount of love and compassion this ministry gives to our community is irreplaceable and I have and will continue to recommend them to anyone looking to adopt, volunteer, or seeking help with an unplanned pregnancy.

Ashley

Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach is an incredible resource that the Bryan/College Station area has to offer for unplanned pregnancies. They provide a variety of services for all stages of pregnancy. Staff is considerate, well trained, non-judgmental, and kind.

Teisha Ray

What a great organization! I cannot say enough about the friendliness of the staff. Their genuine concern for the young families is evident in everything they do. I love volunteering there.

Vaughn Miller

We went through the process of adoption through Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach (APO) and couldn't me more pleased. The adoption process has its beautiful and awkward moments, and APO helped make it comfortable and smooth. They are an extension of our family now and we are so blessed and grateful for them being a huge part in taking us from a family of three to a family of four! Thanks and God Bless You Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach!

Phil

Our connection to APO is an outer circle at best. We are the parents of someone who gave their child up for adoption. I thought my husband and I would have very little interaction with the adoption agency, but I was wrong. This agency's representative has gone above and beyond the paperwork and legalities. She has given godly advice both before the baby was born and continuing long after the adoption was finalized. I know if I called her today she would welcome my call and take the time to address my concerns with prayer and love.

GTS