Faith Adoption Ministry
Adoption Services
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BCHFS is fully-licensed in adoptive services for Illinois and not only have the experience to handle complicated adoptions, but the personal care, attention to detail and willingness to create a harmonious environment is unmatched.
We strive to place children with loving, Christian parents residing in Illinois. If families are interested in adopting, they should personally contact the Mt. Vernon office to discuss what services we can best provide for their situation. Applications will only be sent when prospective families have contacted us directly by mail, email or telephone.
“Faith Adoption Ministry has been there for us through our adoption around the clock and always go above and beyond. They are such beautiful people to work alongside in what can be such a difficult process. We cannot thank them enough for the blessings they’ve been in our life before, during, and after our adoption finalization.” Brooke
Birthparents Facing an Unplanned Pregancy and Considering Adoption
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering adoption, Faith Adoption Ministry can help. We can guide you through the process of making a plan for your child through confidential supportive services and care.
The Decision is Yours to Make
Whether you choose to parent or make an adoption plan, Faith Adoption Ministry is here to provide support throughout the decision process. If you choose adoption, Faith Adoption Ministry can assist you by providing emotional support and counseling services through a personalized adoption plan. You can receive services in your home or we offer safe residential care at our Angels’ Cove cottage in Mt. Vernon, IL.
Choosing a Family
During your personalized adoption plan, you may choose the family where you want to place your child. We have many pre-screened, Christian Illinois families waiting to adopt, love, and care for a child.
Open or Closed Adoption Options
You determine how much interaction you want with the adoptive family you choose. Some prefer a totally closed arrangement while others may want different degrees of openness.
We’re Here for You
We can work with you while you reside in your own home and/or community. We will travel to you to assist you during the process of your adoption plan.
We also provide housing at our Angels’ Cove cottage in Mt. Vernon and help with transportation and regular obstetric visits. Our facilities are comfortable and staffed with people who will love and support you. Every effort is made to customize services to meet your unique situation. Your counselor will assist you to create a plan and review what you can expect happening during the adoptive process and afterward.
Developing an Adoption Plan
Adoption plans can be made at any time during your pregnancy or even after the birth of your child. Connecting mothers with prospective adoptive families can be a challenge but Faith Adoption Ministry is here to assist you through the confidential process of finding a family for your baby.
What is Required of You in Making an Adoption Plan?
Birthparent of any age and at any point in their pregnancy may make a plan for adoption. You may be pregnant or already have a child whom you feel adoption is in their best interest.
How much does it cost?
There is no charge for services we provide you throughout this process. Our staff will help you locating medical care. We may also assist you with other associated expenses relating to your pregnancy, as permitted by Illinois law.
If you choose to reside at our cottage at Angels’ Cove, there is a $50/month housing fee. Learn more about housing at Angels’ Cove by clicking here.
“Working with Faith Adoption Ministry in one word was “Peaceful”. GOD used them to connect us to our son and we honestly cannot imagine it going any better. The faith in GOD lived out by the staff is a powerful testament to HIS work being accomplished through our willingness to submit to HIS will. We truly are grateful for these women!!!” Stephanie
“God brought our family to adoption through infertility and we are so glad He choose to grow us in this way. We now see the impact adoption had on our own spiritual lives through the adoption of our boys. We can’t speak highly enough of Faith Adoption Ministry. The staff are Christian people who know and believe in adoption and have seen God write the story of adoption in the lives of people over and over again. They listened with humility and served us with compassion. We walked with the ministry for over 5 years. The bond in Christ created through our adoption journey is unexplainable. They are family!” Daniel and Jennifer
Helping Couples Seeking to Adopt a Child
BCHFS works with both the birthparent and the prospective couple through our domestic adoption program or through home study/post-placement services for international or private domestic adoptions (ID# 401813). View BCHFS Adoption Forms necessary below.
Home Study Services
A home study is an integral and important part of the adoption process. Making sure we place children in a safe and caring environment, where all parties thrive, is often the most important part of the process. This process can take several weeks, where a social worker visits the prospective adoptive couple’s home and conducts interviews for this pre-screening process. BCHFS provides home study services statewide for couples seeking to adopt in the US (domestic) or from another country (international). Home studies are written with your specific adoption in mind and meet both Hague and Interstate Compact guidelines. For questions regarding home study services, please contact the Mt. Vernon office at (618) 382-4164 ext. 3101 or email AdoptionInfo@bchfs.com.
Post-Placement Services
Post-placement services are provided as required by your placement agency and/or country. Post-placement services are conducted once the family has adopted their child and include information on the progress of the child since the adoptive placement. As a licensed adoption provider in the state of Illinois, we also provide home study services statewide for couples seeking to adopt within the state or internationally (ID# 401813).
Training
Domestic and International (Hague-approved) training is available to meet the requirements of adoption and better prepare families on the important issues of adoption. Domestic and International training is offered quarterly. For specific dates, please contact our office at (618) 382-4164, ext 3101, or email our office.
Types of Adoption Services We Provide
Private Domestic & International Adoption Home Studies and Supervision
BCHFS provides domestic and international home study and post-placement services to Illinois families. These services are coordinated by our Mt. Vernon office but may be provided by staff throughout the state.
International Adoption
BCHFS does not directly coordinate international adoptions. As stated, We do provide home study and post-placement services to Illinois families adopting through international agencies outside of Illinois. Click here to view the BCHFS Fee Schedule for International Adoptions.
Private Domestic Adoptions
BCHFS assists Illinois families who are adopting through domestic adoption agencies within and outside of Illinois. These services may include birthparent services and/or home study and post-placement services. Our birthparent services include pre and post-adoption support, liaison services between birth and adoptive parents, accepting of Final Surrenders and other legal documentation to provide a legal and healthy adoption experience.
Out-of-State Adoptions
At the present time, BCHFS does not place children for adoption out of the state of Illinois. However, on occasion, we are asked to assist other out-of-state agencies with adoptive placements. Our role in this procedure is to provide in-home maternity services to birth mothers planning adoption. We also serve as a liaison between the birth parents and the adoptive parents while they are in Illinois. Adoption and interstate documents are completed and the family is notified when they may return to their home state.
Agency Adoptions
BCHFS is licensed to place children born to birth parents we serve in our residential home of Angels’ Cove or those residing in their own homes. As most of those we serve choose to parent, we do few agency placements within a year. Below are eligibility requirements for an agency adoption:
Adoption Eligibility Requirements
Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services is licensed to provide adoption services in Illinois. We have established the following eligibility requirements for prospective parents adopting through our domestic adoption program:
- Applicants must have been married at least 3 years.
- Applicants may have no more than two children in the home and unable to have additional children.
- Oldest parent may not exceed the age of 50 years.
- Applicants must be committed Christians and active in the same evangelical church as described in the Adoptive Parent Faith Declaration.
- Applicants must be Illinois resident
Additional questions may be addressed by emailing us or calling our office at (618) 242-4944.
BCHFS Adoption Placement Eligibility Requirements
Agency Placements
As a licensed adoption agency, BCHFS oversees adoptions with birthmothers served through Faith Adoption Ministry in Mt. Vernon, IL. We facilitate the entire process, while providing loving support to both birthparents and adoptive parents.
Faith Adoption Ministry of Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services is licensed to provide adoption services in Illinois. We have established the following eligibility requirements for prospective parents adopting through our domestic adoption program:
- Applicants must have been married at least 3 years.
- Applicants may have no more than three children.
- Both parents may not exceed the age of 50 years.
- Applicants must be committed Christians and active members in the same evangelical church as described in the Adoptive Parent Faith Declaration.
- Applicants must be Illinois residents.
- Home study and post-placement services are available to families residing in Illinois who are utilizing accredited adoption agencies. We do not assist with adoptions provided through facilitators.
Open or Closed Adoption Options
Both open and closed adoption options are available, although we encourage a degree of openness in most adoptions for the health of all parties concerned. Closed adoptions may extend the waiting period considerably as most birth parents prefer some degree of openness and quickly bypass families who are unwilling to consider this. You may choose how much openness you want with your birth family.
How much does it cost to adopt?
BCHFS wants to make adoption affordable to couples who want to be parents. Fees associated with adoption can be found here. Home study fees are due when the process begins; Post-placement fees after each post-placement visit.
There is a program fee for families who choose to have their profiles shown to birthmothers. The program fee is paid after the home study is completed, and prior to being presented to a birthmother. The program fee assists in our mission to reach birthmothers and provide adoption education to birth families who are considering a plan of adoption for their (un)born child(ren).
Agency placement fees are based on income. A pre-application fee is required to begin the adoption process. One-half of the adoption fee is due when they receive their child; the balance upon finalization in six months.
A portion of medical expenses may be charged to the family. However, adoptive parents have the option to request only birth mothers whose medical expenses are covered through public assistance or insurance.
Learn more about how you can adopt through Faith Adoption Ministry
Contact our office in Mt. Vernon at (618) 382-4164 ext. 3101 or by email at AdoptionInfo@BCHFS.com. We can work with you on your potential qualifications, the paperwork involved and setting up your adoption plan. Our caring staff wants to make your adoption dreams come true, pairing your family with the best possible birthmother in a streamlined and fully-licensed process.