Researching Maternity Homes

What are some reasons your pregnant daughter might consider a maternity home?

• Potential abuse from the birthfather, the boyfriend, or others in her life
• Pressure from the boyfriend or others to have an abortion
• The need to allow "space" and time for the healing of family relationships
• An unstable home life
• Limited life skills and decision-making skills
• The temptation of drug or alcohol abuse
• The need to save money for housing and other needs

Each maternity home program is different. As you research maternity homes, find out what kind of housing they offer, what meals are provided, and what access they have to medical care, transportation, supervision, and counseling. Does the program offer education on communication techniques, household management, budgeting, and other life skills? Is there access to education or job training?

Here are a few other questions to ask each program:

• How long has the ministry been in existence?
• How long has the current staff been in place?
• What are the age requirements, and what is the average age of residents?
• Is it a family setting or an institutional setting?
• What are the requirements for coming to the home?
• What programs are offered, and what do they include?
• What is the parenting-adoption ratio?
• What follow-up services are available?
• What sort of after-care is available?
• You should also request references of families who were served by the maternity home.
• Are pre-admission visits and tours available?
• What are the house rules?

Information in this post was summarized from "Searching for Home Sweet Maternity Home" by Paula E. Smith, in the Spring 2002 "At The Center" magzine.