Individuals looking to adopt: (312) 655-7086 (English) (312) 655-7070 (Spanish) (312) 655-7084 (Polish)

Individuals looking to place a child for adoption: (312) 454-1717 or (800) CARE-002 E-mail: adoptions@catholiccharities.net Illinois State License Number 003971

MATERNITY/PREGNANCY SUPPORT SERVICES

Catholic Charities offers hope, respect and a full range of pregnancy services to a young woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.  Pregnancy services are available free of charge to expectant parents, and their families, of any age, race, religion, marital or economic background.

During your pregnancy you experience many emotions. You may feel frightened and alone, intense sorrow and pain.  Perhaps you feel anger toward family members and friends who don’t understand or support you. 

These are normal feelings, but overwhelming emotions can result in sleeplessness, pain, stress and even panic.  It is important to realize that these feelings are all part of the process, and that there will come a time when you will feel better. 

Coping with an unintended pregnancy begins with knowing your options and finding support as you face difficult decisions.  The sooner you seek counseling, the better prepared you will be to make a decision. 

 

Services provided by Catholic Charities include: 

- 24 HOUR HOTLINE - provides assistance and support.

- CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING – Counseling is provided by trained, experienced social workers and is available to all involved.  It is designed to meet specific individual and family needs in order to assist everyone concerned to consider their options and make realistic plans for themselves and their baby. 

- MEDICAL CARE - Catholic Charities can assist in arranging medical care using available community resources to promote wellness of mother and child throughout the pre-and post-natal periods of pregnancy. 

- TEMPORARY CARE FOR INFANTS – Quality, licensed homes are available for the baby if you need a cushion of time after the baby is born to make a permanent plan for your child.

- INFORMATION AND REFERRAL and PARENTING EDUCATION available as needed. Limited baby care items when available.

- COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Speakers share information with hospitals, parishes, schools etc.  

- ADOPTION PLANNING - Catholic Charities Adoption Department has approved waiting families who are prepared to become adoptive parents.  If adoption is the plan for you and your baby, you may select an adoptive family with the degree of openness and contact you prefer.  If you wish to find out more about some of Catholic Charities approved, waiting families you may speak with one of our counselors, or view our families on http://www.parentfinder.com.

Making an adoption plan can be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make.  Deciding to make an adoption plan for your child is a loving option, one that you select with the idea of what is best for you and your child now and in the future. 

“Giving birth does not make a mother.  Placing a child for adoption does not make her less of one.” – Author Unknown” 

Adoption Services

Catholic Charities advocates a child-centered approach to adoption, recruiting and preparing the best families for children in need of a stable, secure home. Expectant parents are able to select the level of openness and the prospective family that they desire in making an adoption plan for their child. 

Catholic Charities’ Maternity and Adoption Services span the full range of the “adoption circle,” attending to the needs of both parents facing unplanned pregnancies and families seeking to adopt children. It is work that requires great sensitivity and skill.  Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is recognized as a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit Agency, is fully accredited and is Licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services -License #003971.  Catholic Charities is recognized by the Department of State, and accredited by the Council on Accreditation, to provide adoption services for Hague Adoption cases. 

PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Council on Accreditation (COA), a national accrediting body approved by the United States Department of State to conduct Hague accreditation and approval reviews, invites the public to provide comment on intercountry adoption service providers seeking Hague accreditation or approval or renewal of Hague accreditation or approval. You may provide comment by clicking on:

https://coanet.org/programs/hague-accreditation-and-approval/public-comment/

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago offers monthly information meetings for prospective adoptive parents to begin learning about the adoption process, speak with knowledgable staff and meet other couples hoping to grow their families through adoption. To receive a schedule of upcoming information meeting dates or RSVP for an upcoming meeting please email adoptions@catholiccharities.net.

Domestic Adoption Program

We provide services to prospective adoptive parents who wish to adopt infants whose mothers live and reside in Illinois, as well as parents looking for Interstate Placements or Agency Assisted adoptions.

We are pleased to announce Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago has partnered with ParentFinder.com, a social network and adoption community product that provides adoptive families the ability to create multi-media rich profiles of their own, for birth parents to search and view. Catholic Charities is very excited about the possibilities ParentFinder.com will provide for expectant parents to view profiles of our well-prepared and approved prospective adoptive parents as they consider choosing another family to care for and raise their unborn child.  To learn more about this resource please visit www.parentfinder.com.

Intercountry Adoption

Catholic Charities has been providing International Adoption services since the 1950s, when we first began placing children from Italy, Germany, Ireland and Canada.  Our International Adoption Program is a great choice for many families.  We provide extensive training and education to help prepare you for the process, joys and challenges of adopting internationally. 

We are currently seeking prospective adoptive families for school age children and sibling groups from orphanages and group homes throughout Poland, who are waiting for stable, loving families.  We are also able to provide home study services for families in the Chicago area who are working with another licensed, accredited US placing agency for adoption from any country.

While the process has slowed, and overall numbers have declined significantly over the past few years, thousands of families still choose International Adoptions.  Are you ready to consider journeying to another part of the world to add to your family?

Pre-Adoption services include: monthly adoption information meetings and approved adoption preparation curricula; family home licensing; adoptive home study and assistance with preparing adoption profile or dossier for international adoption; agency-assisted adoptions through interstate compact placements; ongoing educational opportunities and e-newsletter.

Post-Adoption services include: post-placement support; family events and membership in Adoption Guild; post-adoption registry, search and reunion services; individual counseling; mediated communication between birth and adoptive families.

Post Adoption Services

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is committed to supporting all members of the adoption circle; birth parents, adoptive parents and adopted individuals throughout the normal lifespan.  Catholic Charities understands that each adoption journey is unique. 

To assist individuals and families, the following post adoption services are offered for those whose adoption was facilitated by St. Vincent’s, Catholic Home Bureau or Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.   All requests for services should be in writing.   There are program fees for various services. For more information you may call 312-655-7088 or email adoptions@catholiccharities.net.

Mutual Consent Registry -

Through the Agency’s Mutual Consent Registry adoptive parents and birth parents may choose to exchange updated medical and non-identifying background information and photos.   All individual adoption files are confidential and the agency does not share identifying information without individuals consenting to do so.

Non- Identifying Background Request -

Through the agency, individuals who were adopted and who are 21 years or older may register and request available information about their birth family history, medical and other non-identifying background information.  For persons who were adopted and are under 21 years of age, non-identifying information is available with parental consent.   Non-identifying background information may be very limited. 

Search and Reunion Service Request-

Search and Reunion Services provides individuals whose adoption was facilitated through the Catholic Charities to establish a connection with birth parents and family members.   Birth parents may also request assistance in locating their biological son or daughter, if over 21 years of age.   Catholic Charities provides counseling and intermediary services until biological relatives are ready to have contact and/or share identifying information.  We help to explore expectations and desired goals while offering support through the process of searching and establishing some form of contact. 

Quarterly group meetings are available for birth parents and individuals who are adopted and who are in the process of establishing contact or have met birth family members. 

Birth Mother’s Brunch- A Birth Mother’s Brunch is hosted annually in May for birth mothers who have placed their child for adoption.  The brunch honors their courage and respect for life in making a plan of adoption for their child.

Counseling Support – Masters level counselors are available.  

Adoption Guild – Catholic Charities continues to provide support to adoptive families after placement.  Adoptive Families and adults who are adopted through Catholic Charities are welcomed to join the Guild.  Guild members help to provide outreach, spiritual, social, and educational support to the adoption community.  The Guild also participates in fundraising events to promote and support Catholic Charities maternity and adoption program services.  A newsletter is available electronically.

If you were not adopted through our agency, you may contact the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange at 877-323-5299 or www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/adoptioninfo.htm to register and request original birth certificates.  In order to register, you must be an adopted individual over 21 years of age, a birth parent, or adoptive parent or relatives of deceased birth parents or adopted persons.  Adopted persons between 18-21 years may register with parental consent. 

Adoption/Guardianship Respite Services

The Respite Program supports adoptive and guardianship families throughout Cook County who need relief and support in facing the day-to-day challenges of parenting a child with special needs. The targeted population is children and youth, primarily 7-13 years old, and who have been permanently placed with adoptive and guardianship families and were former wards of the Department of Children and Family Services. The respite services may include: child-centered activities, in home and out of the home, overnight respite care, mentoring and camp experiences. All services are provided to give some relief to the adoption or guardianship family. Services are also available in Spanish.

Adoption/Subsidized Guardianship Preservation Services

Under the Family First Initiative, this program supports adoptive and guardianship families throughout Cook County through challenges related to adoption and guardianship issues. The goal of the preservation program is to assist families to maintain stability and to promote understanding of how the adoption/ guardianship story impacts their own life. Some of the services provided are: crisis intervention, individual and family counseling, family and child support groups, and advocacy with schools and other agencies for specialized services. Services are also available in Spanish.