On Sunday, September 24, 2017, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Maternity/Adoption Department is hosting a Mass and Reception for adopted persons who were placed from St. Vincent’s Orphanage in Chicago. Come and help us celebrate our 100th anniversary. Registration is required. For details, please contact Lisa Francis at 312-655-7093 or lholmes@catholiccharities.net
MATERNITY/PREGNANCY SUPPORT SERVICES
Maternity/Adoption Fact Sheet
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
To learn more about Catholic Charities adoption services, please schedule an individual consultation by calling
(312) 655-7086 or complete this
Pre-Service Interest Form and submit to
adoptions@catholiccharities.net and an adoption worker will contact you.
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 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 Mexico and Poland, who are waiting for stable, loving families.
Catholic Charities can provide home study, adoption preparation and post placement support and supervision for families in the Chicago Metropolitan area who are working with another licensed, accredited US adoption agency offering international placement programs. We have established partnership agreements with other agencies, and together we will work to ensure that your international adoption experience is a positive one.
While the process has slowed, and overall numbers have declined significantly over past 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?
Public Comment Opportunity
The Council on Accreditation (COA), a national accrediting entity designated by the US Department of State to provide Hague Accreditation and Approval, invites the public to provide comment on intercountry adoption service providers seeking Hague Accreditation, Approval or Renewal. You are invited to provide comments through COA’s website at: http://coanet.org/accreditation/hague-accreditation-and-approval/public-comment/
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
Intake: (312) 655-8357
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.
Documents:
2017 Annual Report.pdf
Birth Parents Rights and Responsibilities-English.pdf
Birth Parents Rights and Responsibilities-Spanish.pdf
Birth Parents Rights and Responsibilities-Polish.pdf
Adoptive Parents Rights and Responsibilities-English.pdf
Adoptive Parents Rights and Responsibilities-Spanish.pdf
Adoptive Parents Rights and Responsibilities-Polish.pdf
Complaint Resolution Guidelines.pdf
Disclosure Policy.pdf
Refund Policy.pdf
Adoption/Subsidized Guardianship Preservation Services
Intake: (312) 655-8357
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.
SERVICIOS DE APOYO PARA LA MATERNIDAD/ EMBARAZO
Servicios de Maternidad
Condado de Cook
1800 N. Hermitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60622
Condado de Lake 671 S. Lewis Ave., Waukegan, IL 60085 Línea de ayuda de 24 horas: (800) CARE-002 o (312)454-1717 Servicios profesionales de asesoramiento para adolescentes embarazadas, mujeres, padres biológicos, y sus familiares que están pasando por un embarazo no planeado.
Servicios de Adopción del Condado de Cook
Individuos que buscan adoptar, llamen al: (312) 655-7070
Individuos interesados en hacer un plan de adopción
pueden llamar al (312) 454-1717 o (800) CARE-002
Correo electrónico:
adoptions@catholiccharities.net
Servicios de Adopción del Condado de Lake
671 S. Lewis Ave., Waukegan, IL 60085
Teléfono de admisión: (847) 782- 4222
Programa de Adopción Doméstica
Proporciona la colocación de niños cuyos padres biológicos han optado por hacer un plan de adopción. También proporciona servicios a familias que buscan una colocación en adopción interestatal o asistida por una agencia.
Programa de Adopción Multinacional
Proporciona familias adoptivas para niños que no tienen un hogar permanente disponible en su país de nacimiento. Se proporciona apoyo a familias durante su viaje y estadía en asociación con agencias de adopción en EE.UU aprobadas en el país de origen del niño. Caridades Católicas ofrece servicios de colocación de niños en Polonia y
México, y tiene colaboraciones con programas internacionales de colocación en África, Asia, Europa Oriental y Latinoamérica.
Servicios de Relevo de Adopción/Custodia
Teléfono de admisión: (312) 655-8357
Apoya a familias adoptivas y de custodia permanente a lo largo del Condado de Cook que necesitan ayuda y apoyo para afrontar los desafíos del día a día de la crianza de un niño con necesidades especiales, entre los 7 y 13 años de edad.
Servicios de Preservación de Adopción/Custodia Subsidiada
Teléfono de admisión: (312) 655-8357
Programa de servicios en el hogar que apoya a familias adoptivas y de custodia a lo largo del Condado de Cook a enfrentar los desafíos relacionados con adopción y custodia.
Servicios Después de Adopción
Servicios después de adopción y registro
Teléfono de admisión: (312) 655-7088
Adopción de consentimiento mutuo: Servicios de registro son disponibles a todos los miembros del círculo de adopción: padres biológicos, adoptados y familias adoptivas, incluyendo membresía en la Asociación de Adopción, facilitación de conexiones entre padres biológicos y familias adoptivas, antecedentes no identificativos, búsquedas y reuniones.