What is the Third Option?
The “Third Option” initiative seeks to normalize adoption as a positive option for women facing an unplanned/unintended pregnancy,
especially if she is not equipped or prepared to parent.
Advancing the Adoption Option
The “Third Option” aims to secure Federal funding for State-administered programs to advance adoption as an option and improve birth mother care and support.
This initiative will support the woman facing unplanned pregnancy with information about voluntarily choosing adoption today, along with the resources and encouragement needed to make a well-informed decision. Just as important, the work of Third Option is to improve the care & support available to these ‘birth mothers’ after placement.
Some women facing unplanned pregnancy are unable to parent. In these cases, it’s especially important to give them complete, accurate information about adoption, and then support and care for them after they decide to place. The “Third Option” Coalition believes this healthier option will not only benefit women as individuals; it will also benefit our American society by creating more families.
WAYS TO TAKE ACTION
MODEL BILLS
Good legislation has been passed in various States to increase adoption education and improve birth mother care. Download model bill templates and modify them for introduction in your State, knowing that they have passed successfully in other State(s).
PROGRAMS
State-level programs managed, staffed, and overseen by your State’s Dept of Health & Welfare or Child Protective Services will increase adoption awareness through education, and improve the care and support of “Birth Mothers,” the women who choose Adoption.
BECOMING A
THIRD OPTION STATE
See our “Step by Step Guide to Becoming a Third Option State.” See how we did this in Idaho, and join us! Learn what you can put in place now, while awaiting Federal funds for these programs.
There are nearly 2,800,000 unplanned pregnancies in the US each year. Of those, almost half choose abortion. Just over half choose to parent.
Fewer than 1% choose adoption.
Anyone facing an unplanned pregnancy should get all the information about all their options. And, we believe that adoption should be an option for the woman who does not plan to parent.