Adoption

A Gift of Love, A Rewarding Possibility

At Counseling & Family Services we take an individualized approach to meeting with families and helping them complete their adoption planning. We are happy to meet with couples to discuss their adoption plans and discuss various options that may be available. We take pride in the fact that we are a family service agency that has been helping to assist families in the Peoria area for over 100 years. We are licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to provide adoption and foster care services to children and families.

If you are planning to adopt domestically or internationally, we are happy to work with you in order to complete your home study and to prepare you for your role as a parent.

A home study is required by the State of Illinois for those adopting. We view the home study as an opportunity to help you learn what special challenges and benefits characterize adoption as well as an opportunity for us to get to know you.

Counseling & Family Services is committed to providing you with contemporary adoption information and education in order to make your adoption experience a success. We encourage a strong level of involvement from our families and give the same in return. Our role is to provide direction, support and guidance and to be a reference for adoption related information.

Adoptive placements can be enhanced by on-going education and opportunities to meet other adoptive families. We regularly offer on-going education as well as social opportunities for families to connect and benefit from this positive interaction.

Our domestic adoption program includes the adoption of children from Illinois as well as from other states. We have extensive experience with interstate placements.

Our international adoption program is designed to assist families that wish to adopt a child from a country that cannot meet his or her need for a family. We work with over a dozen U.S. based agencies that have programs in over 10 countries. These programs change periodically as world events impact these countries.

We welcome the opportunity to answer any questions that you may have about our services and are more than happy to meet with you privately to discuss your needs.

For more information go to Adoption As A Family Building Option.

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For more information about our adoption program, click on the following links. You will need Adobe Reader to access these files. Click here to download a free copy of Adobe Reader if you do not have one.

Program Philosophy

Eligibility of Adoptive Clients

Adoptive Client Rights and Responsibilities

Birth Parent Client Rights and Responsibilities

Complaint Policy and Procedure

Adoption Program Fees

Adoption Annual Report

CFS Financial Statements

CFS Financial Position

When is ADOPTION an option?

You’re facing one of the biggest decisions in your life . . .
let us help you explore your options.

Discovering that you’re pregnant might make you feel:

Scared and alone
Shocked and overwhelmed
Confused as to what to do
Unsure about you or your baby’s future

You may need to talk to someone who can:

Listen sympathetically
Help you sort out your feelings
Explain the important decisions you'll need to make, whether it’s choosing to raise your child or making an adoptive plan
Respect your privacy and keep all conversations confidential
Provide you with support during and following your pregnancy

Support Services

Deciding which option best suits you, whether it’s parenting or making an adoptive plan, can be a most difficult challenge – but the care and guidance you'll receive will help you make the best decision. Once you take the first step to talk with a dedicated and caring caseworker, you’ll find that ongoing support services are available to you at all times.

You are not alone… A caring staff member who shares your concerns is ready to talk with you. They know that it might take days, weeks, or even months to sort out your feelings in order to make the best decision for you and your child.

How to find answers to your questions?

You can make an appointment with a caseworker at our downtown headquarters by calling Counseling & Family Services at 309-676-2400. Or, if you’d feel more comfortable, you and your caseworker can meet in a neutral setting, such as a library or restaurant.

Let us help you explore your options.

For information on how to make an adoption plan call 309-676-2400. Our staff will be happy to explain how adoption can brighten you and your child’s future.