Meet the Staff: Jennifer Morrison with Adoption Choices of Texas

Jennifer Morrison, BS, CPMS,  is Adoption Choices of Texas’ Executive Director, Child Placing Agency Administrator and Child Placement Management Staff.  Morrison has been working with Adoption Choices of Texas since the organization began in 2012. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Sociology from Texas Wesleyan University and is a Texan native and mother to three daughters.

Today we had the pleasure of sitting down with Ms. Morrison and discussing her passion for helping members of the adoption triad and her work with Adoption Choices of Texas.

Jennifer Morrison on Adoption Choices of Texas

AC: What does a day in the life look like for an executive director for a Texas adoption agency?

JM: Every day my job changes, there is never one day that is exactly the same. I can be doing anything from answering a phone call from someone who is pregnant, hiring someone as staff, counseling birth parents, working with other Adoption Choices states or working on budgets and reports.

The adoption process in Texas can be quite complex. From finding an adoption agency to creating an adoption plan and choosing an adoptive family. Having the support of compassionate adoption staff like Jennifer is just one of the amazing benefits Adoption Choices of Texas can offer you as a potential birth mother in Texas.

AC: What is your favorite part about working with Adoption Choices of Texas?

JM: Creating families every day.

Adoption Choices of Texas works with both birth parents and adoptive families. Experience from both sides of the adoption process provides a benefit that you won’t find with other agencies. Adoptive families have the opportunity to work alongside birth parents and birth parents have the opportunity to get to know the family that will adopt their child.

AC: Are you working on any sharable projects?

JM: We just created an adoptive parent LGBTQ support group. It is for any [LGBTQ] adoptive parent that is waiting, starting a [adoption] journey, or already has a baby. We are also continuing our bilingual program for both adoptive parents and birth parents.

LGBTQ adoption, also known as same-sex adoption, occurs when a birth mother chooses to place her baby with a couple or individual who identifies as part of the LGBTQ community. Creating a special opportunity for the LGBTQ community to come together offers an experience to connect and relate and further advocate for adoption.

AC: What is something that Adoption Choices of Texas offers that other Texas adoption agencies don’t offer?

JM: We really work one-on-one and are available 24/7. We have a personal touch and make sure that everyone is treated equally and fairly. We go above and beyond, from being able to provide a service called ChildConnect for every adoption – a lot of adoption agencies in Texas don’t offer that to just our post-placement support program. Also, in Texas, we have an MSW counseling program for our post-placements. We are able to provide services for our birth parents not just now but after they place.

ChildConnect is an online service used by Texas adoption agencies to help birth parents and adoptees stay connected after the child is placed with their adoptive family. ChildConnect allows for both parties to feel safe and privately exchange pictures and notes.

Jennifer Morrison on Adoption and the Adoption Triad

AC: What are the most common misconceptions about adoption?

JM: That [adoption] is people who want to take the baby away, and that adoptive parents don’t want an open adoption. I really talk a lot about open adoption and how it has changed over the years, and how it is in the best interest of the child.

An open adoption is when a birth family has a relationship with their child and his or her adoptive family. This relationship can be formed through various ways, including face-to-face visits, phone calls or letters.

AC: Do you have a preference between working with birth parents or adoptive parents?

JM: Absolutely not. I believe in the adoption triad, and I believe that it takes all three people – the birth mom and her family, the adoptive family and the baby. Without one part, all of the other parts don’t work.

AC: What is your favorite part about working with birth parents?

JM: Being able to give them a solution. I think as women, we all face choices, especially with unplanned pregnancies. I like being understanding and non-judgemental and helping them with a positive decision.

When you work with our private adoption agency to place your baby for adoption, you will be in complete control of your adoption journey. Our staff is here to guide and support your needs, wants, and decisions. We will never judge you or your choices.

AC: What is the most common thing birth parents in Texas are looking for in an adoptive family?

LM: They are just looking for a family that is financially stable to take care of their child that they love more than anything. Every birth mom that calls has a different idea of what a “forever family” looks like to her. I’ve placed with single straight men to same-sex couples, to gender changed adoptive parents. I think that every birth mom has her own wishes and desires.

Every day is a story, and every birth parent brings me something that is different than any other birth parent. I take every one of those stories and try to start over with each person who calls with just a little more empathy and make her feel like she’s the first birth parent I’ve ever worked with because every story teaches me how to be better in my field.

AC: What advice do you have for a pregnant woman considering placing her baby for adoption?

JM: This is her baby. There is no right or wrong way to do this. I want her to feel trust with whatever agency she chooses. My advice would be to listen to her gut and make sure she has that support and relationship with her agency. I want her to make the best decision for herself.

Infant Adoption in Texas with Adoption Choices of Texas

Adoption Choices of Texas is a private adoption agency in Texas specializing in infant adoption. In the state of Texas, you can place your baby for adoption up until he or she is three days old, but whether or not your baby has been born, we are here to help you navigate the Texas adoption process and create an adoption plan.

Jennifer is just one of Adoption Choices of Texas’ amazing staff. If you are pregnant and looking for an agency to support you during your adoption journey – give us a call today. !Hablo Español!

As an expectant woman or birth parent, to learn more about adoption, contact Adoption Choices of Texas. You can call us at 888-307-3340, text us at 888-307-3340, or email us here. If you are hoping to adopt, please visit us here. We look forward to helping you through your adoption journey!

Meet the Author: Grace Myers is a sophomore digital media major at North Greenville University. She loves writing and hopes to pursue a career in journalism or public relations after graduating.

An adoptee herself, Grace is passionate about writing for adoption. She especially loves hearing adoption stories and getting to know a variety of people.