Birth Parent Services
Adoption is a positive and brave choice
Are you pregnant and unsure what you want to do? An unexpected pregnancy can cause major changes in your life. LCFS is here to provide expectant mothers and fathers with compassionate, respectful and confidential assistance as you consider your child’s future as well as your own. Choosing to place a child for adoption is a difficult and selfless decision. Please contact us for a non-judgmental and open discussion about your options.
Supporting Your Choices
Inquiring about and discussing an adoption plan does not mean you have made your decision. The choice is yours and you are in control. The LCFS social worker will be your support and advocate. This individual will meet with you privately and confidentially, in a location that is comfortable for you, to help you sort out feelings, examine your options and reach an informed, positive decision concerning your baby’s future. This commitment is made to both parents regardless of marital status!
- There are no fees to you for these services.
- No one at LCFS will pressure you as you examine your choices.
- Your conversations with your LCFS worker are always confidential.
- Your worker will never talk to others about you or your situation without your permission.
- If you are a minor, you do not need parental permission to place a child for adoption.
- Control of the decision-making process is always in your hands, but you can choose to include others important to you in the process.
- If you choose to parent your baby, follow-up services are available, including referrals to resources for parents and children.
Selecting Adoptive Parents
Placement
Interstate Adoption
ResourcesSelecting Adoptive ParentsIf you choose to explore an adoption plan for your child, LCFS will work with you toward placement with individuals you’ve already chosen or assist you in selecting prospective adoptive parents. You choose who you would want to adopt your child and what kind of relationship you would like to have with your designated adoptive family. LCFS can also arrange for assistance with pregnancy-related expenses, as needed and as allowed by Illinois law.
If you do want assistance in selecting prospective adoptive parents, LCFS will provide you with profiles of individuals who have completed an in-depth assessment process, which includes interviews with an adoption professional, background checks, references and documentation supporting their health, stability and commitment to parenting. LCFS works with prospective
adoptive families who are couples or singles, of all sexual orientations, gender-identity and of various ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds.
You can also decide to meet the family you select and be in contact with them throughout the process. LCFS encourages contact between the birth family and the adoptive family for the benefit of everyone. Your worker can explain all of your options, which range from a confidential adoption to an open adoption.
Even if you have an adoption plan in place, you have the right to change your mind at any time during the process. Some expectant parents who come to LCFS for assistance ultimately decide to parent their babies.
PlacementIf you decide to move forward with your adoption plan after your child is born, you can choose for your baby to go home directly from the hospital with the adoptive parents.
- Illinois law requires birth mothers to wait at least 72 hours before consenting to their child’s adoption.
- If you decide to relinquish your parental rights and place your child for adoption, usually you will not need to go to court.
- LCFS workers will meet with both the birth mother and father wherever they are most comfortable to complete the paperwork.
- After you place your child for adoption, your LCFS worker will continue to be available to you for follow-up support and referral to additional resources as needed.
Interstate AdoptionLCFS can assist you in completing an interstate adoption.
- If you do not live in Illinois, our team can help you find the right Illinois adoptive family for your baby and give you referrals for a resource in your state to assist you with your adoption plan.
- If you live in Illinois, but have selected a family from outside of the state, LCFS can assist you with birth parent services and will honor the existing arrangements already in place.
ResourcesLCFS is licensed by the state of Illinois. (Agency license # 012998)
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Expectant parents were counseled by LCFS in making parenting decisions last year
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