Kris A. Probasco is a licensed clinical social worker in the states of Missouri and Kansas and has practiced in the field of infertility, reproduction, and adoption since 1972. She is a founder of Resolve of Kansas City. Kris also serves as an honorary board member of Guatemalan Adoptive Parents-Kansas City, a group she assisted in developing to support those parenting, or preparing to parent, children adopted from Guatemala. Kris ia a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine and the American Adoption Congress. She is actively involved in the Metropolitan Adoption Council in the Kansas City area. She speaks nationally and locally on various issues relating to infertility and adoption. Her agency, Adoption and Fertility Resources, is a licensed child-placing agency in both Missouri and Kansas. Kris provides general infertility and adoption counseling as well as services specific to those expanding their families through the use of IVF, donor eggs/sperm, known donors, and embryo adoption.
Infertility and Reproduction Counseling
General Infertility Counseling
Infertility counseling begins uniquely for each client/couple based on their prior experiences in the medical process as well as on their adjustment to those processes and difficulties encountered. Reproductive and family goals are discussed and clarified as are issues connected to the struggle of infertility. Emotions, feelings, and the management of stress with enhanced coping skills are important aspects of infertility counseling as clients deal with pertinent topics such as an initial infertility diagnosis, pregnancy loss, and artificial reproductive technology. Incorporated into counseling are: planning for the future, dealing with family and friends, and increasing client awareness of community resources. Continued counseling and consultations are provided based on client decisions regarding on-going medical fertility interventions and on alternative methods for becoming parents.
Use of Donor Sperm Consultation and Assessment
Discussion during the 2-hour consultation includes the variety of services provided by sperm banks and the availability of information regarding the donor. The importance of the lifelong needs of the resulting child/adult are addressed. An assessment report provided to the referring fertility practice includes a family history, an assessment of family stability, and discussion of the decision for parenting by this alternative. Follow-up services and referrals are available, as needed.
Use of Donor Egg Consultation and Assessment
During the 2-hour consultation counseling is provided regarding the selection of an appropriate donor and the life long issues of a child/adult that comes into a family by this procedure. Since the recommended outcome is a stepparent adoption, a court-ready report is provided to the referring fertility practice. Report topics include family history, infertility history, and how the clients came to the decision to use donated eggs. Follow-up services and referrals are available, as needed.
Use of a Known Donor/Surrogate Consultation and Assessment
The consultation for the use of a known donor or surrogate is similar to the process for an adoption evaluation, but with the outcome being a stepparent adoption or a legal recognition of parentage. Services include 6 hours of consultation. A 2-hour assessment for the recipient couple focuses on: a detailed family history, infertility history, how the decision was made to use a known donor/surrogate, and establishing roles and relationship during the donation process and after. A second, 2-hour interview involves the donor/surrogate and partner, if applicable. This interview includes: a detailed family history; how the decision was made for donation; medical, legal, and social responsibilities in the future. A final, 2-hour consultation is a combined consultation with all participants in the prior two appointments. Discussed are the physical, medical, social, emotional, financial, and legal responsiblities of all the parties. Also addressed are the life long issues for a child/adult conceived in this way. A report is porvided based on the information obtained during the three sessions and contains information necessary for the upcoming medical and legal procedures. Referrals are made to an attorney to establish the appropriate contracts. Follow-up services and referrals are available, as needed.
Embryo Adoption Consultation and Assessment
An embryo adoption results in a full, legal adoption. Information required to complete an adoption homestudy assessment is collectedc, including: health, finance, personal security, and home, as well as state requirements and references. Applications are obtained and processed with the agency providing matching services to genetic parents. Consultation includes discussing the life long issues this type of adoption will have for the resulting child/adult. Post-placement services and referrals are available as necessary.
Adoption Consultation
The first step in the adoption process is a 2-hour office consultation for those interested in adoption. During this meeting information regarding resources available in domestic, international, and embryo adoption are discussed. The goal of this consultation is to become well informed of adoption adoptions. Further consultation may be helpful in making an adoption decision.
When a decision is made to continue with the adoption process, a homestudy assessment packet is provided. This packet is a means of collecting information regarding the prospective adoption parent(s) and includes items addressing: health, finance, personal security, and home, as well as state requirements and references. Once the completed packets are received, appointments are scheduled for clinical interviews, including couple and individual(s) interview and a visit to the home. From these interviews and packets, the homestudy report is written. This report is made available to the prospective adoptive parent(s) and their representatives. The homestudy report can be used for one year from the date of is completion. An update is required if an adoptive placement has not been made within a year. Birthparents who contact the office will receive information regarding the prospective adoptive parent(s), and placement arrangements will be provided. Referrals will be made to agencies specializing in international or embryo adoption as well as attorneys who specialize in domestic, international, or embryo adoption. Pre- and post-placement counseling and consultation for birth and adoptive families are provided. Referrals for post-placement services will be made as needed. An acknowledgment of anticipated services will be provided when adoption planning begins.
This summary of adoption counseling and services is an overview of the types of adoption services available through this agency. If you have questions regarding fertility and reproductive counseling, or would like to schedule an appointment in Liberty, MO or Overland Park, KS, please contact the Liberty office.