Domestic Infant Adoption 

Catholic Charities has three domestic infant adoption programs: infants who are Caucasian, those who are of multiracial heritage, and minority infants. Minority infants are those having two parents of the same minority race (African-American, Hispanic, Asian, etc.). At Catholic Charities, we believe in child-centered adoptions, and an open relationship between birth parents and adoptive parents has been found to be best for the adoptee.

There are different degrees of openness, but our adoptions generally involve an exchange of identifying information and a face-to-face relationship that continues after the child is placed in the adoptive home. There are often fears about open adoption, but most of the time these dissipate with education. Open adoption is not co-parenting, but a special relationship that exists between two families who work together on a plan that they can all commit to and that will be most beneficial for the child.

At Catholic Charities, Women’s Counseling and Support Service Program counselors work with the birth parents through the adoption process.

International Adoption

Catholic Charities can conduct the homestudy and post-placement supervision for families adopting a child from another country. Catholic Charities works cooperatively with international placement agencies to facilitate this type of adoption. There are many children varying in age throughout other countries desperately in need of adoptive homes. Usually there is a short waiting period.

Families who adopt internationally may or may not have to travel to that country. It is important to raise the child with information about the country of his or her birth. Post-placement supervision requirements vary by country.

Special Needs/Waiting Child Adoption

A waiting child is currently in foster care and may be of any race or age. These children have a range of characteristics that qualify them as having “special needs.” They may be older; part of a sibling group; or have a behavioral, emotional, or medical problem. There is no fee for the homestudy, licensing, or training in this adoption program.  Potential adoptive parents of these children may choose to be foster parents first.

Post Adoption Services  

The Catholic Charities Adoption Program extends a lifelong commitment to all members of the adoption triad. Post adoption services include ongoing birthparent support groups, individual/family counseling, and search and reunion services.