Catholic Charities places domestic infants who become available for adoption when a birth mother voluntarily chooses to make an adoption plan for her unborn child. Catholic Charities believes that the decision to place one's child for adoption must be made freely and with the awareness of its implications. Therefore, Catholic Charities works closely with the birth parents prior to filing a petition to voluntarily end parental rights. Every effort is made to ensure that the parents' decision to relinquish the child is based on their conviction that this is the best plan for them and their child. All services to birth parents are provided without condition and are free of charge.
The first step in adopting an infant through Catholic Charities is to return the Adoption Intake form along with the $25 fee in order to be placed on the waiting list. When nearing the top of the waiting list, prospective adoptive parents are invited to training sessions and to begin the home study process. Once the home study is approved, the prospective adoptive parents’ profile (letters and pictures) will be presented to birthparents interested in participating in the selection of the adoptive family. If the birthparents choose not be involved in selecting a family, the agency will select the most appropriate family based on the birthparents’ criteria, the needs of the child, and how long the family has waited.
When a child is available, the potential parents are invited to review all non-identifying information, including medical history, general family background, level of openness desired by the birthparents, and legal standing of the child. During this meeting, the individual needs of the child are discussed. The potential parents have the opportunity to decide if they would like to proceed with placement of the child.
The records relating to children placed for adoption are confidential. All information on the child, birth parents and the adoptive family is sealed and kept in locked files as prescribed by law.
Catholic Charities emphasizes the agency's continuing availability to all parties in the adoption triad, even after the period of agency supervision ends. This support may be in the form of individual counseling, support groups or referral for needed services. In cases where an agreement to maintain on-going contact is made by the birth parents and the adoptive parents, such as through letters or pictures, the agency will act as the intermediary between the two parties.
How long will it be until a baby is placed in our home?
How much will the adoption cost?
Are there any restrictions on the age of the adopting parents?
What is an open adoption?
Will I receive medical information about my child's birth family?
Can the birth parents change their minds about adoption after the infant is placed in our home?
When is the adoption final?
How long will it be until a baby is placed in our home?
There is currently a 2 to 4 year wait from the time you return your Adoption Intake Form until the time an infant is placed in your home. On occasion, the wait may be shortened if the adoptive couple meets the specific needs of a child placed in our care, such as a medically needy infant or a child of African-American heritage. Top
How much will the adoption cost?
Catholic Charities is a non-profit organization that strives to provide quality services with the lowest possible fees. We have a set fee for all domestic infant placements, so there are no "hidden costs." For example, you are not responsible for the birth mother's medical bill. Compared to other agencies, our fees are extremely reasonable. Contact our office for more specific information. Top
Are there any restrictions on the age of the adopting parents?
Catholic Charities’ age policy states that the younger parent cannot be more than 40 years older than the child and the older parent cannot be more than 45 years older than the child. Top
What is an open adoption?
Openness in adoption is any type of contact or sharing of information between a child's birth family and adoptive family. There are actually many levels of openness in adoption and you are able to choose how open you would like your adoption to be. The goal of Catholic Charities is to place a child in a home where the child's individual needs can be met and both sets of parents desire the same degree of openness. Almost all birth parents are requesting some level of openness and like to be involved in selecting an adoptive family for their child. Some of the openness options include:
- Preparing an Adoptive Parent Profile to be shown to birth parents
- Meeting the birth parents before placement or talking on the phone
- Sending and receiving letters, pictures and/or gifts at placement and through the years
- Visiting with the birth parents after placement Top
Will I receive medical information about my child's birth family?
The birth parents are asked to complete a Background History and Medical Information Form. This information will be reviewed with the adoptive family during the matching process and a non-identifying copy of the form is given to the adoptive family at the time of placement. In addition, you will receive a copy of the child's hospital medical records from birth. Top
Can the birth parents change their minds about adoption after the infant is placed in our home?
The birth parents do not have the option to revoke their signed consents to the adoption after the court hearing to terminate parental rights, which typically occurs 3 to 4 months after the birth of the child. If the child is placed in your home directly from the hospital, this is considered a legal risk placement. Your social worker will thoroughly discuss the legal status of your specific situation with you. If the agency feels there is a high risk that the child could be removed from an adoptive home, the infant will be placed in pre-adoptive foster care. Top
When is the adoption final?
There is a six-month period of supervision after placement of a child in your home. A minimum of three home visits will be made by your social worker during this time. After the supervision ends, the petition of adoption is submitted to the court. The adoption is finalized at a court hearing that you and your child attend. Top
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