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The Adoption Option Committee, Inc. works to promote adoption as a selected outcome for unplanned pregnancy. AOCI stands for positive perceptions about adoption, and for affirmation of birth parents who make this courageous and difficult choice for the sake of their children.  The Adoption Option Committee, Inc., a charitable and tax exempt Minnesota corporation (501c3), was formed in 1983 by a group of private citizens to promote adoption as a primary possibility for the unplanned pregnancy. The group has grown to 38 volunteers who have the enthusiastic support of community professional sponsors and many individual financial contributors. We are unique in the United States.  The Adoption Option Committee Inc. was organized to promote adoption as a selected outcome for unintended pregnancy. Our volunteers work to assure accurate and fair consideration of adoption planning, to inform and educate the public to the validity of adoption, and to provide financial support to birth parents who choose this option. We target our efforts to the general public, and to social and governmental agencies. AOCI stands for positive perceptions about adoption, and for affirmation of birth parents who make this courageous and difficult choice for the sake of their children.  Each year in this country approximately one million teenagers give birth, with 96% choosing to single parent. Statistics show that adolescent birth parents and their children are at the highest risk for neglect and abuse. There are risks that single, especially teenage, mothers face in parenting. "The statistical likelihood of child abuse, serious neglect, poverty, drug use, suicide, and involvement in crime is far greater than in the population as a whole," said Bruce Chapman, White House Office of Planning & Evaluation. The very duties of parenting reduce single mothers' opportunities for educational and vocational development and economic improvement. Many must depend entirely on welfare for their subsistence, which creates a lifetime of poverty for both. It is apparent that there are almost no resources available to birth parents making an adoption plan. Society offers little support to those choosing adoption, even though it may be the most difficult and costly financially.  AOCI has produced a brochure, "The Adoption Option: Is It For You?" It is available in English and Spanish, and is intended to present a realistic, straightforward and fair look at the adoption option. It is designed as a personal counseling tool to encourage young women and men experiencing an unplanned pregnancy to consider this option. It represents the generous cooperation and contribution of time and knowledge by many local experts, including major social service agencies in Minnesota. It has been distributed to selected physicians, all clergy and social service and governmental agencies in the Twin Cities area. There is a strong national interest in it and we have filled orders, on a cost basis, throughout the United States. The Adoption Option Committee Inc. organizational brochure, which outlines our mission statement and activities, is also available. To order these brochures, contact us. We present informational programs to schools and organizations, and provide educational materials to pregnancy counselors. We send literature packets to anyone requesting information about adoption. We produce an annual publication, "AOCI Reports." Each issue focuses on a positive aspect of adoption. To download it click here or to receive a printed copy, contact us. Additionally, we have placed newspaper ads, bus posters, billboards, and public service announcements in which we present the case for adoption and affirm those birth parents who have chosen. We operate a program of financial assistance to birth parents in Minnesota who have made an adoption plan. Adoption brings additional expenses that are overlooked by government assistance and insurance. Since 1985, AOCI has affirmed the adoption choice through financial aid grants to Minnesota birth parents. Even a small sum can make a difference. We have provided a start-up college tuition payment, money for extra medical expenses and living expenses, such as rent payments. After papers have been signed, birth parents who need assistance make application through their social workers (AOCI has no client contact). Assistance is approved by our committee subject to availability of funds and the nature of the grant request. It is our interest to make grants available to help birth parents build new and independent lives and to affirm their courage in carrying through an adoption plan. Available in the state of Minnesota only.
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