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Joy of Life CARES®

Coaching Access and Resources for Empowered Surrogacy®

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What is the Joy of Life CARES® Program?

We believe an empowered surrogacy starts with you! That’s why we created the CARES (Coaching Access and Resources for Empowered Surrogacy) program- to provide specialized education and support for all gestational carriers and intended parents at Joy of Life.

This first-of-its-kind support program includes both individual and group workshops to help prepare you for a successful future. Joy of Life is proud to offer CARES to all clients through a partnership with certified coaches and providers.

Whether you’re a surrogate or an intended parent, the Joy of Life CARES® program can teach you how to:

  • Create a financial plan
  • Strengthen your parenting skills
  • Navigate career goals
  • Manage challenges in your relationship

Discover a community of supportive peers and gain practical tools that keep hope at the center of every journey. We can’t wait for you to grow with us!

Why Join the Joy of Life CARES® Program?

For Surrogates

Carrying or welcoming a child through surrogacy is truly a life-changing experience. We founded CARES to ensure you feel prepared for the baby’s arrival and empowered for the future ahead.

Here’s how CARES will support you:

  • Real Community Connections: Join mom groups and monthly virtual gatherings to connect with other moms on a surrogate journey. Become part of a support system that understands exactly where you’re at.
  • Comprehensive Education: Gain insights from life coaches, labor & delivery nurses, and moms who have navigated infertility. Our monthly workshops are packed with knowledge to guide and inspire.
  • Personal Growth Opportunities: Access tools and resources for personal development, including financial coaching and nutrition counseling. Plan your future with confidence!

NEW! For Intended Parents

Growing your family through surrogacy is a profound and deeply personal decision. At Joy of Life, we recognize the significance of this choice and the dreams it represents. With core learning focused on financial, legal, emotional, and practical support, CARES will help you feel confident and prepared for the future.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

  • Community Guidance and Support: Meeting your surrogate and bonding with your new baby is a beautiful process unique to each family. Connect with our collective of other intended parents, and learn how to navigate those first moments with confidence.
  • Practical Financial Knowledge: Building a family means budgeting for your future goals and dreams. From surrogate escrow to saving for your child’s education, CARES offers insights to help you succeed.
  • Legal and Ethical Expertise: Parenthood via surrogacy comes with many legal and ethical considerations. Learn what matters most and how to apply safeguards that keep your journey protected. 

All new participants are eligible to win a 4D ultrasound after attending their first CARES session!

CARES Program Framework

Whether you are a gestational carrier or an intended parent, CARES can help you build the future you’ve always dreamed of.

CARES coaching focuses on these key focus areas:

  • Finances
  • Parenting
  • Health and Nutrition
  • Careers
  • Relationships
  • Legal & Ethical Considerations
Circular infographic showing CARES Program with six services: Health Coaching, Life Coaching, Mentorship, Attorney Team, Financial Advising, Physical Therapy.
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Finances

For Gestational Carriers
Learn how to make the best use of your surrogacy payments, plan a budget, or pay off debt.

For Intended Parents
Create a monthly budget for the baby, decide how to invest in education, or plan for time off.

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Parenting

For Gestational Carriers
Learn how to talk to your kids about your surrogacy journey and gain practical parenting tools that fit your family’s needs.

For Intended Parents
Get the scoop on sleep training, co-parenting, or discussing your child’s origin story with them.

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Career

For Gestational Carriers
Receive guidance on enrolling in an online learning program, exploring a new occupation, or researching trade schools in your area.

For Intended Parents
Become informed on transitioning to remote work, navigating paid leave, and deciding on childcare services.

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Relationship

For Gestational Carriers
Get tools to strengthen the bond with your partner, embrace a relationship with your intended parents, or improve connections with your family.

For Intended Parents
Feel empowered to build a gestational carrier relationship, have open discussions with family, or improve communication with your partner.

Learn From the Experts Who Guide Your Journey

The CARES program connects you with trusted professionals who understand surrogacy from the inside out. Here’s a look at what you’ll explore together.

Physical Wellness

Dr. Jessica Chellsen, PT, DPT, CSCS

Caring for your surrogate’s physical wellbeing directly supports the health of your growing baby. It also prepares you, as an intended parent, for the physical demands of new parenthood. Our Physical Wellness module is led by Dr. Jessica Chellsen, a pelvic floor physical therapist and perinatal fitness expert who has supported countless surrogates through pregnancy and postpartum recovery. We love her gentle approach!

Through monthly video sessions and customized workouts delivered via the Vibrant Coast PT app, surrogates receive targeted guidance to reduce discomfort and heal confidently after birth. This support fosters a smoother, healthier journey for everyone involved.

Learn more about Dr. Chellsen’s approach at https://www.vibrantcoastpt.com.

Emotional Support

Rachel Wilson, Support Coach at Joy of Life

Surrogacy is transformative, complex, and emotionally intense. Our Emotional Support module offers a grounded and compassionate space to navigate it all. Led by Rachel Wilson, a psychotherapist and an Intended Parents Support Coach at Joy of Life, this program helps you understand bonding and building a meaningful connection with both your surrogate and your unborn child. You’ll explore practical tools to help you feel steady and prepared throughout the journey.

Discover Rachel’s full support offerings at intendedparentssupportcoach.com.

Parenting After Surrogacy

Nick He, Father and Bestselling Author

Parenting after surrogacy is a beautiful new beginning, and it’s normal to have questions about how to share your child’s story with confidence. Our Parenting After Surrogacy module is guided by Nick He, a father of three daughters born via surrogacy. An Amazon bestselling author and founder of the 2 Dads 3 Girls Foundation, Nick offers honest insights into the cultural challenges of parenting in a surrogacy-built family.

Whether you’re wondering how to talk to your child about their origins or simply want reassurance that connection will grow naturally, this session helps you embrace parenthood with clarity and pride.

Explore Nick’s work at https://www.youtube.com/@2dads3girls.

Money Matters

Joy Millan, Founder and Financial Manager, Joy of Life

The financial side of surrogacy can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be confusing. Our Money Matters module, led by Joy Millan, Founder and Financial Manager of Joy of Life, breaks down exactly how funding, escrow, reimbursements, and insurance work from start to finish. You’ll learn how deposits are structured, why escrow is essential for protection, what your surrogate’s contract covers, and how to anticipate final costs with confidence. With clear explanations and real examples, this session helps intended parents navigate the financial landscape of surrogacy with transparency and peace of mind.

Explore Joy of Life’s full support services at joyoflife.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Joy of Life CARES® Program?

The Joy of Life CARES® Program offers life coaching, resources and support for both gestational carriers and intended parents embarking on the surrogacy journey. It includes individual and group-style workshops focusing on finances, parenting, career and relationships to prepare participants for a successful future.

Who can join the CARES Program?

Access to CARES education and workshops is available for surrogates and intended parents registered with Joy of Life.

What kind of support does the CARES Program provide?

The CARES Program offers specialized education and support for all gestational carriers and intended parents at Joy of Life.

Here’s a closer look at the types of support participants can expect:

  • Financial Planning: Get guidance on managing your finances effectively, from managing surrogacy payments to budgeting for education expenses.
  • Parenting Skills: Gain insights and tools to enhance your parenting skills, including preparing for the arrival of your child and creating a bond with your surrogate.
  • Career Development: Learn how to balance your career goals with the demands of surrogacy and parenthood, including exploring new job opportunities or taking parental leave.
  • Relationship Management: Understand how to strengthen relationships within your family, with your surrogate, and with others connected to your surrogacy journey.

How do I join the CARES Program?

You will be enrolled in the CARES Program upon signing your contract with Joy of Life as a surrogate or an intended parent. Here’s how to apply to become a surrogate or intended parent with Joy of Life:

  1. Visit the Joy of Life website and review the requirements for surrogates or intended parents to confirm your eligibility.
  2. Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, fill out our online application form to get started.
  3. After submitting your application, a team member will contact you to discuss the next steps.

Ready To Get Started?

Embark on your life-changing journey with the guidance, resources, and professional support of the Joy of Life CARES® program. Apply to become a surrogate or intended parent today!

Become a Surrogate
Become a Parent