Domestic Adoption Agencies in Illinois
Adoption agencies help children find families and families find children. Whatever the reason for considering adoption, the agency that is chosen should be professional, considerate and compassionate. The adoption process could take several years, so it is important that the agency is licensed, has all its credentials and can do its job.
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History
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Adoption is the process whereby parents are supplied for parent-less children or for those children whose parents are unable to provide for their care. The concept of adoption was not legally recognized in the United States until the 1850s, with the inception of the first adoption statutes.
Geography
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The Adoption Directory lists all adoption agencies within a specified state. There is currently one adoption agency in Illinois. Bethany Christian Services has two locations in Chicago and Columbia.
With over 75 locations in 32 states, Bethany Christian Services, a Christ-centered agency, is the largest adoption agency in the country with 1,874 placements (international and domestic) in 2005. Bethany was founded in 1944.
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Types
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There are two types of adoption agencies. Private agencies are more than likely the type of agency where couples or birth mothers actually place their children. These private agencies select adoptive parents based on marital status, health, income, age, sexual orientation, religion, family size, and personal history as well as background. These criteria are not necessarily in this order of importance. Private adoption agencies also provide counseling and other services to the adoptive family and the family giving the children up for adoption.
Public agencies also get many children ready to be adopted. Many of the children come from the state, or were abandoned. Often they are older or special-needs children. Public adoption agencies come at a much lower cost than public agencies, however, because of the lack of counseling and other services the private agencies provide.
Considerations
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Adopting a child can be expensive. Adoptions can range from $1,000 to $35,000 or more depending on if a public or private agency is chosen. Consider having fundraisers to help raise money for the new addition. If the family is trying to adopt a child has low income, or is trying to adopting a child with special needs, you can apply for low-interest loans or grants through foundations that help fund adoptions. Children with special needs may also have reduced fees to help families adopt them. Some employers also have an adoption assistance programs. If your company does not have an adoption assistance program it may be worthwhile to suggest that they begin one.
Misconceptions
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Just because an adoption agency is conducting business does not mean they have all the credentials necessary. Contact the state licensing specialist once you have chosen an adoption agency to ensure that the agency you're interested in is licensed. Contact your state's Office of the Attorney General to find out if any complaints have been lodged against the agency.
A very important misconception about adoption is how long a birth mother has to withdraw her desire to give a child up for adoption. In the state of Illinois, legal proceedings cannot begin until 72 hours after the birth of the child. The father may consent before or after the birth of the child. The birth mother is under no legal obligation to surrender her child for adoption before the legal consent papers are signed. If the birth mother does sign the legal papers for adoption, it shall be irrevocable unless it was obtained by fraud or duress. No action to void or revoke a consent, including an action based on fraud or duress, may be commenced after 12 months from the date the consent was executed.
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