ADOPTION THROUGH ECFA
AGENCY ASSISTED ADOPTION
ECFA has knowledgeable, dedicated staff who facilitate adoptions internationally, from other states, privately, or through the child welfare system. We partner with the agencies approved by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). ECFA will provide adoptive families with a family study, educational resources, an Illinois foster home license, and post-adoption services.
Fees are based on the services provided. Fees may vary depending on the number of post-adoption visits that are needed for the country/state of the child’s birth, as well as required immigration updates.
The following is a brief overview of ECFA’s four agency-assisted adoption programs:
International: Families that desire to adopt from a different country need to identify a DCFS-approved intercountry placing agency that is responsible for matching families with children in another country. Families utilize ECFA for their family study and post-placement services.
Interstate: Families who desire to adopt from a different state need to identify a DCFS-approved agency that is responsible for matching families with children from another state. Families utilize ECFA for their family study and post-placement services.
Private: Families that have already been matched with an expectant birth mother can utilize ECFA for their family study and post-placement services. The expectant mother can either utilize ECFA pregnancy support services or the adoptive family may choose to engage their own attorney for necessary legal services, including birth parent surrender documents.
Special Needs (adoption from the child welfare system): Families who desire to adopt from the child welfare system can utilize ECFA to conduct their family study. Usually after a child is placed with the adoptive family, DCFS will require that post-placement services be conducted by the child welfare agency that serves the child. ECFA will maintain supervisor of the family's license and assist, as needed, with the child(ren)'s post-placement service needs. Children available for adoption from the foster care system are typically older (7-teenage years) who have experienced trauma of abuse or neglect. There is specialized training required for adoptive families to be better equipped to meet the child(ren)'s needs.
For more information
For more information on Adoption, please call us at 630-653-6400 and ask for Barb, or you can reach Barb at barbh@evancfa.org
THE PROCESS
Orientation
This is an in-person “informational meeting” that introduces you to the adoption process and the types of adoptions that are available to you.
Home Study
The home study takes approximately three-four months, and includes, but is not limited to, a minimum of three home visits, SAFE home study questionnaires, background checks, and references.
Waiting
This phase may appear to be the most difficult, but God is at work preparing you
and your child.
Post Placement Services
Home visits and reports are completed, based on state or international requirements.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADOPTIONS
ILLINOIS DOMESTIC
The domestic program is open to families who meet ECFA’s eligibility criteria for adoption. This program works alongside ECFA’s Pregnancy Support Service program which provides birth parents with free confidential counseling, assistance, and other supportive services.
INTERSTATE
Families utilize ECFA for their home study and post-placement services when adopting from a different state. With this option, families identify a domestic-placing agency that is responsible for matching families with infants from another state.
PRIVATE
Families who have an existing relationship with an expectant birth mother prior to engaging in services with ECFA can utilize ECFA for their home study and post-placement services. The expectant mother can utilize ECFA pregnancy support services, if she so chooses.
INTERNATIONAL
Families utilize ECFA for their home study and post-placement services when adopting from a different country. With this option, families identify an intercountry-placing agency that is responsible for matching families with children in another country.
EMBRYO
Families utilize ECFA for their home study and post-placement services (if required) when they desire to use donated embryos to achieve a pregnancy. With this option, families would identify an agency that is responsible for matching families with embryos.
CHILD WELFARE
Many children in foster care that are either part of a sibling group or have special needs, have an outcome goal of involuntary termination of parental rights and adoption. Adoptive families can utilize ECFA to conduct their home study and obtain a license for domestic adoption.
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