Adoption
In late 2023 a bill, AB 120, passed in California prohibiting adoption facilitation. We have served the North State for 30 years as adoption facilitators and are working towards licensure so we can continue to serve our communities.
The following statement is from California Department of Social Services:
All Adoption facilitators who were on the Adoption Facilitator Registry as of July 1, 2023, must cease operation on or before December 31, 2023. As of January 1, 2024, a person or entity operating or providing adoption facilitator services in California is prohibited. Common practices and services undertaken by adoption facilitators: arranging contact between birth parent(s) and prospective adoptive parents; advertising for the purpose of soliciting parties to an adoption; locating children for an adoption; acting as an intermediary between the parties to an adoption; and charging a fee or other valuable consideration for services rendered. As of January 1, 2024, only authorized persons or organizations specified in FC 8609 may advertise in any periodical or newspaper, by radio, or other public medium, that he, she, or it will place children for adoption, or accept, supply, provide, or obtain children for adoption, or that causes any advertisement to be published in or by any public medium soliciting, requesting, or asking for any child or children for adoption is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person, other than a birth parent, or any organization, association, or corporation that, without holding a valid and unrevoked license to place children for adoption issued by the department, places any child for adoption is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Adoption Choices Of Northern California
Our Staff
Adoption Choices of Northern California is a private, non-profit registered adoption facilitator which assists both birth parents and prospective adoptive parents to engage in a successful adoption experience. We provide adoption facilitation of newborns.
We believe that there are many successful avenues to adoption. We respect the rights of adoptive parents and birth parents to pursue and plan the type of adoption which best suits their individual and combined needs. Our goal is to offer information, counseling, advocacy and support to all those involved in the adoption process so that each adoption is imbued with dignity, and each participant is treated with caring and respect.
Adoption Choices of Northern California is sponsored by the Women's Health Specialists Clinics which are private, non-profit community clinics licensed by the state of California. They provide family planning services to women throughout northern California. Founded in 1975, Women's Health Specialists has a strong commitment to preserving personal choice in decisions involving women's reproduction. We are proud to offer adoption information, counseling, support and advocacy through our four clinic sites.
Contact Us
Director: Marikathryn Hendrix
Phone Number: (530) 891-0302
For Birthparents: (800) 607-9200
Text Line: (530)715-8968
Fax: (530) 893-9347
Email: adoptionchoices@cawhs.org
Marikathryn Hendrix
Director
adoptionchoices@cawhs.org
Marikathryn has a lifetime of adoption experience as an adoptee through closed adoption and as a birthmother who placed a child through open adoption in 1993. She has spent almost 3 decades assisting birth and adopting families through their adoptions. Marikathryn appreciates the unique value that each participant brings to the process and enjoys supporting people through their adoption journey. She has great insights and empathy for all triad members and is a co-founder of Adoption Choices of Northern California.