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Whom does Catholic Charities serve?
Do I have to be Catholic to come to Catholic Charities?
How much is it going to cost to receive pregnancy
services through Catholic Charities?
What kinds of adoptions are facilitated
by Catholic Charities?
What is Catholic Charities'
position on ongoing communication in adoption?
Does the baby’s father have to be involved?
When do I make the adoption decision?
What help is available for medical expenses?
Is there assurance that my child will be raised
in a good home?
What if my parents or the baby’s father
say they want to keep my baby?
Do I have to participate in all of the services
offered at Catholic Charities to make a plan of adoption for my baby?
When I meet with an adoption specialist at Catholic
Charities, what will we talk about?
Why choose Catholic Charities?
Whom does Catholic Charities serve?
The agency provides services to birthparents throughout the
state of Indiana.
Do I have to be Catholic to come to Catholic Charities?
No. Services are available to everyone.
How much does it cost to receive
pregnancy services through Catholic Charities?
There is no cost for pregnancy services. Professional counseling
and support are available to you and your extended family
before your baby is born, whether you choose parenting
or adoption.
If an adoption occurs, ongoing counseling is available
at no cost.
What kinds of adoptions are
facilitated by Catholic Charities?
Catholic Charities will assist you in planning the adoption
experience you wish to have. Many adoptions have some
form of ongoing communication, but not all do. If a birthparent
does not want to, or feel able to, select or meet the
adoptive family, the birthparent does not have to do so. Catholic
Charities will assist as needed.
What is Catholic Charities'
position on ongoing communication in adoption?
Under Indiana law IC.31-19-16-9, post-adoption contact
privileges are permissible without court approval in
an adoption of
a child who is less than 2 years of age upon the agreement
of
the adoptive parents and a birthparent. We at Catholic
Charities believe that ongoing communication can benefit
both
the birthparent and the adoptive family by giving them
more
control over the
adoption process. For the birthparent, it helps relieve
a sense of blind trust, guilt, uncertainty, worry,
and fear
about the
child’s future.
Does the baby’s father have to be involved?
Under Indiana law, a man has the right to know he has
been named as the father of a child for whom adoption
is being
considered. An adoption cannot proceed until the
birthfather’s parental
rights have been terminated. There are a number of
ways those rights can be terminated; the adoption specialist can
explain
them to you. A birthfather may also choose to voluntarily
relinquish his parental rights.
When do I make the adoption decision?
Your adoption decision is made after the baby is
born. In Indiana, when you sign the permanent papers,
you
are giving
up your
legal rights to the child.
What help is available for medical expenses?
Whether you choose to adopt or parent, we encourage
you to get good prenatal care as soon as you
learn you
are pregnant.
If
you need assistance, please ask. We’re
ready to connect you to available community resources.
If you’re
planning an adoption, help may also come from
the adoptive parents.
Is there assurance that my child will be raised
in a good home?
One of the most important services Catholic Charities
provides is thorough assessment and preparation
of families approved
for adoption. If you choose to select and/or
meet the prospective adoptive family, you may
also make
your
own assessment.
What if my parents or the baby’s father
say they want to keep my baby?
Your parents cannot keep your baby unless you
agree. If the baby’s father wants to parent and you agree, he can file
for paternity and get custody of the baby after the child is
born. If you do not want the baby’s father
to parent, but he obtains an attorney and files
for paternity, you may
need to retain an attorney. This can be explored
with Catholic Charities.
Do I have to participate in all of the services
offered at Catholic Charities to make a plan
of adoption
for my baby?
Although we recommend that you utilize our full
program, it’s
possible to make a plan of adoption without utilizing
all of the available services.
When I meet with an adoption specialist at Catholic
Charities, what will we talk about?
The primary focus is on decision-making. The
choices of parenting or making an adoption plan
are explored.
You’re in charge
of advising the adoption specialist of your needs.
Why choose Catholic Charities?
There are many reasons:
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Agency-assisted adoptions have been a safe and secure
means of adopting children for years. |
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We have been facilitating adoption since 1922. |
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We are licensed by the State of Indiana as a Child Placing Agency. |
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We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation Services for
Families and Children, Inc. |
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Our staff is professional and experienced in issues and services
related to pregnancy and adoption. |
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We will help you look at all options. |
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We will support your decision no matter what you decide. |
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Families approved by Catholic Charities have already attended adoption
education training and have an
approved home study. |
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