Few events change lives as deeply and significantly as an adoption. At Catholic Charities we believe the adoption process should provide respect and concern for all persons involved.

For the children, adoption is a process that will affect the course of their entire lives. At Catholic Charities, the child's welfare is of utmost importance in every adoption.

For the birth parents, the decision to place their baby for adoption is a difficult one, based on love. They want to do what is best for their child, but they also feel a great sense of loss.

For the adoptive parents, adoption makes it possible to share the love they have for each other with a child. However, they must also be prepared for the additional responsibilities of parenting by adoption.

Compared to independently arranged adoptions, licensed agencies are more likely to provide the following benefits and safeguards:

• Counseling by qualified, objective counselors who consider the interests of all the involved parties.
• Full, proper relinquishment services.
• Good adoptive family assessments where stability is thoroughly checked out.
• Birth parents are given time to insure that the placement decision is indeed best. The option to parent will always be discussed. There is no pressure or obligation to choose adoption.
• A continuum of services is offered, including on-going post-placement counseling for those who desire it.
• Records are permanently maintained for future services.
• No illegal or unethical payments are made to birth parents.
• Confidentiality is always respected and maintained.
• Temporary interim care for the child is offered in a licensed home if needed.
• A child's best interests are always sought.

Adoption is not a one-time event, but is instead a life-long process. It forever joins the birth and adoptive families. Through the home study and counseling processes, adoptive parents and birth parents are educated about adoption issues so that the best possible plans can be made for themselves and, most importantly, for the child. To help you better understand the process, we have compiled a brief bibliography of texts which we have found to be helpful.

By law in Nebraska, any couple wanting to adopt a child must have a home study completed by a licensed Nebraska adoption agency prior to the adoptive placement. The study consists of interviews with the prospective parents to assess character, stability, and preparedness to parent by adoption, visits with references, medical reports, and background checks with the Nebraska State Patrol and Child Protective Services.

Birth parents who plan their child's future through Catholic Charities are able to choose from a variety of qualified adoptive families. There are many options in adoption today. Catholic Charities assists birth parents and adoptive parents in individually forming the adoption plan that is right for them.

Catholic Charities is a licensed, not-for-profit adoption agency. Pregnancy services to birth parents are provided at no cost and are supported by United Way of the Midlands, the Archdiocese of Omaha, generous donations, and adoption fees. Adoption fees are based on current medical and legal costs and on agency expenses.

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