WHY WORK WITH US
- We have been serving families in the adoption process for over 75 years and offer ongoing services for the rest of the lives of our clients to include: adoptive families, adoptees and birth parents.
- We only work in Southern Illinois and so we are local and provide personalized services to our families. We can and prefer to meet with our clients face to face.
- We only accept adoptive families that will commit to some level of openness in the adoption.
- We have strong relationships with organizations and social service agencies in the community.
- We work with a limited number of prospective parents each year and believe it is important to keep our adoptive waiting families list diverse.
- We understand what you’re going through and the challenges you face. Several of our adoption counselors are adoptive parents or adoptees.
- We are honest and transparent about our adoption process, services and fees, and adoption placement statistics.
- We provide services to expectant and/or birth parents without any pressure, providing counseling and support to empower women so they can decide what is best for their circumstances.
- We welcome all families regardless of religion, ethnic background, race, sexual orientation or ethnic heritage.
SOCIAL WORKER CARE
- Explore options for parenting and adoption without any commitment to work with the agency.
- Receive comprehensive adoption education, counseling, and support, along with referrals related to educational goals, housing, budgeting, and mental health resources as needed. Discussion of financial support will be explored, when necessary and needed, and within the legality of Illinois law.
FAMILIES WAITING TO ADOPT
There are so many loving families waiting to share their love and lives with a child.
Learn more about the wonderful families who are waiting to adopt through Caritas by visiting their Family Profile.
PREGNANCY OPTIONS COUNSELOR
Melyssa.Frederick@caritasfamily.org
618-507-9216
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ALREADY BORN?
The process is similar to the description above, with the main difference being that the worker takes into account the child’s age, development, and personality. The recommendation is to use temporary care which allows the transition best for the child, the birth family, and the adoptive family. However, options can be explored with preferences of transition for the child/ren.

PLACEMENT
- If you are making an adoption plan for an infant, the baby can go home with the adoptive
family from the hospital. For that to happen, it is helpful to select the family before delivery. However, you can make this decision at the hospital or even after the baby is released. - You may voluntarily sign TPR (termination of parental rights) no sooner than 72 hours after giving birth. You are not required to sign these papers at the 72-hour mark, and we encourage you to take your time to make a final decision.
- Once the mother and/or father sign these forms (final and irrevocable surrenders for adoption), the adoption decision is permanent and cannot be changed.
POST ADOPTION SUPPORT
- After placement, the adoptive family will continue to have supervision with their social
worker for 6 months. - Adoptive parents begin the process of legally adopting the child. The adoptive parents become responsible for the child in every way.
- Caritas will continue to offer post-adoption support to you for as long as you need it.
- You will receive referrals to therapists and other resources for birth parents for post-adoption counseling services and support, based on your needs. Post-adoption counseling is strongly encouraged.
- The agency is here to support you with the openness you selected for your adoption plan. Areas of assistance include facilitating ongoing contact with the adoptive family through updates, letters, and post-adoption visits according to your own unique post-adoption openness agreement. The agency is here for whatever needs you may have as you communicate with the adoptive family.
Confidentially contact a Caritas worker anytime through text or a phone call at 618.507.9216, or send an email to Melyssa.Frederick@caritasfamily.org.

REACH OUT CONFIDENTIALLY
At Caritas, we respect your privacy and value your trust. Our dedicated team is available to speak with you at any time. Reach out to our on-call number or send us a text at 618-507-9216, and we’ll respond promptly.
Or you can fill out our confidential form below and one of counselors will reach out to you directly.
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