Miriam's Promise
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615-292-3500
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3701 Hillsboro Pike
Nashville, TN 37215
Organization Details

Programs

Description
Many families experiencing fertility challenges turn to Miriam's Promise for help in building their family through adoption. We work closely with each family to explore adoption possibilities and their capacity to parent, offering education, and continual support. More families choose international adoption each year as the avenue most suited to them. Miriam's Promise is unique in the training we offer - Parents in Process, a 12 hr adoption preparation class focusing on all aspects of adoption and information unique to international adoption. The life-long process of adoption, cultural/racial issues, grief and the special needs of orphaned children are addressed. We are Hague Accredited by the Council on Accreditation. Services include training, home studies, post-placement supervision and support through the life cycle of adoption. Training for domestic adoption includes open adoption, the impact of infertility, trans-racial parenting and grief and loss pertaining to adoption as well as coping with attachment issues.
Program Areas Served
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Description
Miriam's Promise has been providing pregnancy counseling since its inception in 1985. Services include: Helping women and families with unplanned pregnancy cope with emotional stress, access to medical care and long term goalsPreparing them for the mature life decisions of pregnancy, such as pre-natal care, labor and delivery and related issuesEducating and assisting them in making decisions related to the best-interests of their child(ren)Providing practical assistance with baby items, diapers, and in some cases, medical and housing needsFor clients choosing adoption: providing healing, caring support before and after the placement of their infant and continued assistance with maintaining contact with adoptive families and children when appropriate. For clients not choosing adoption: providing post-pregnancy counseling and parenting support for both the birth parents and the child.
Program Areas Served
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Description
Miriam's Promise offers a counseling program designed to provide a safe haven for children, parents and families who are going through a difficult time. A thorough assessment is done to assess each child's individual situation before deciding on a comprehensive treatment plan. We offer specialized counseling in different areas of focus including attachment disorders, trauma due to abuse or neglect, grief and loss, and behavioral issues. We see many children who have been adopted domestically or internationally. While we do see children on an individual basis, most therapies include a component designed to include parents and equip them to deal with their children in a more effective way within the home environment. Our approach is a very holistic and comprehensive one and includes working with schools, physicians, and others who play a significant role in the child's life.
Program Areas Served
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CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments

During 2010, Miriam's Promise saw an increase in the request for services for expectant parents. Of note, is a significant rise in practical assistance for pregnant women. Need for assistance with housing, food costs and transportation is at a critical level due to rising costs and reduced income levels. At this point, we have successfully provided for these needs by directly contacting supporting groups for donations of non-perishable food items, clothing and gift cards for groceries used for clients. Requests for maternity clothing, baby formula and infant clothing have also increased. We've been able to re-stock our closets by asking women's groups, Sunday School classes, etc. to assist. The agency has placed a new emphasis on post-placement issues for families, particularly for families adopting children from 'hard places'. Children who come from orphanages, from long-term foster care, from chaotic birthfamilies or who were born after a traumatic pregnancy, often experience more difficulty in attachment. The board and staff at Miriam's Promise see staff training and education as a high priority to enable staff to coach these parents in particular healing methods.