Frequently Asked Questions
A: Adoption is a means of meeting the developmental needs of a child by legally transferring ongoing parental responsibilities for that child from birth parents to adoptive parents, recognizing that in the process a new kinship network is created that forever links those two families together through the child who is shared by both.
...Adoption and the Family System
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A: Yes. When all the procedures are followed correctly and by the law, an adoption should never be disrupted. St. Mary's does its best to ensure that all adoptions through St. Mary's are done ethically and legally.
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Q: What types of children are available?
A: St. Mary's primarily places newborns, but has placed children up to three years of age in the Domestic Program. St. Mary's works with birth parents of all races and ethnicities.
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A: Placement depends on your flexibility, such as your openness regarding racial and medical issues, as well as on-going communication with the birth parents.
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Q: How do birth parents come to St. Mary's?
A: Birth parents come to St. Mary's through a variety of ways. The yellow pages, school counselors, fellow service agencies, word of mouth, hospitals, and the Internet are all sources for referrals. Birth parents range in age from 12 to 46. The majority of our birth parents are single, but we have worked with married couples. Birth parents come from all races, religions, and backgrounds.
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Q: Do you work with out-of-state couples?
A: St. Mary's has worked with couples living in the bordering states of Illinois, if they are open racially and medically. Due to the complexity of interstate adoption, St. Mary's first consideration is to families residing in Illinois. When an interstate adoption occurs, the couple must have a home study completed and be working with a licensed agency in their state of residence.
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Q: Do you work with birth parents who live outside of Illinois?
A: Yes. St. Mary's occasionally works with birth parents in neighboring states of Illinois. However, it is necessary that the baby be born in Illinois.
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Q: Are there any tests performed on the birth mother or baby?
A: Yes. St. Mary's requires all birth mothers to be tested for the presence of HIV and Hepatitis B & C. A drug screen is also done during her prenatal care. In the event a baby is born with concerns, we will have the baby seen by specialists regarding the baby's future health and care.
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Q: What is St. Mary's philosophy towards openness?
A: There are varying degrees of openness in adoption. We work with our adoptive couples and our birth parents to achieve a level of openness that is desirable to all. St. Mary's is always looking out for the child's best interest. Openness between the birth parents and adoptive family is negotiated prior to an adoption taking place. All parties should be in agreement with the correspondence and adhere to it for the benefit of the child. St. Mary's believes an adoptive relationship should meet the needs of the child. We encourage flexibility in our adoptions and will work with our adoptive couples to better understand openness in adoption.
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Q: What if the birth father is not involved with the birth mother?
A: St. Mary's first priority is to try to involve the birth father in making an adoption plan for his child and to sign surrenders. If the birth father is uncooperative, our attorney will serve him legal documents through the sheriff or process server. If the birth father does not comply, then publication is necessary and will be carried out through our attorney. Publication is also necessary in circumstances where the birth father is unknown. The putative father registry is consulted for registration by the birth father. Upon completion of these steps, the birth father's rights can terminated in court. We have an adoption attorney available for consultation at all levels of this process.
