ADOPTION THROUGH ECFA
INFANT ADOPTION
ECFA’s Domestic Infant Program is open to families who meet ECFA’s eligibility criteria for adoption. While not required, families are encouraged to be open to infants of any race/ethnicity, and open to adopt a child whose birth parents may have mental health diagnoses or have had an addiction to drugs/alcohol. ECFA’s other infant adoption program (Agency-Assisted) is continually available and families are encouraged to attend an orientation to learn about both of these programs and how they can work together.
This program’s goal is to provide adoptable infants of varying backgrounds with loving families who may be experiencing infertility and who desire to adopt a child to complete their family. A professionally trained adoption counselor will serve as a guide and advocate by providing your family study, educational requirements, post placement services, and Illinois foster home license as required by the State of Illinois.
The infant adoption program works alongside ECFA’s Pregnancy Support Service program. Birth parents who come to ECFA for pregnancy support services receive free confidential counseling, assistance, and other supportive services. If birth parents choose adoption for their child, they will be able to view profiles of families approved by the infant adoption program. Birth parents then have the opportunity to choose the family they would like to see raise their child.
ECFA provides education to prospective adoptive and birth parents about adoption and openness in adoption. Most birth mothers want to meet the adoptive couple before and/or after the birth of the child. They often prefer to receive letters and pictures on a regular basis. ECFA helps facilitate the relationship between the birth parents and the adoptive parents with the hope that it will be sustained throughout the child’s life.
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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