A Welcome Letter from Our Director

Adoption Connections Connecting Adoptive Families across Central and Downstate Illinois: A Welcome Letter from Our Director

Welcome to The Center for Youth and Family Solutions Adoption Services. CYFS has many ways to assist you in creating your family. When you first contacted our office, you were given some general information on our programs and services. We hope you found it helpful. There are a few things I would like to review with you regarding our programs.

All of our programs are child-centered. This may sound odd, but there are many places where birth families or adoptive families are the primary focus of an adoption. We believe we can effectively assist the adults while always safeguarding the needs of the child.
In our Infant Program, our pregnancy planning counselors work closely with the birth family. Birth families are counseled and informed of all of their options. We work with them regardless of the plan they choose. Our adoption and family development specialists work closely with adoptive families. Together, the pregnancy counselors and the adoption and family development specialists work so the tiniest member of this group, the infant, has a quality adoption experience.

As for openness in our Infant Program, we firmly believe it is in the best interest of the children to be connected with their birth families. Openness provides a way for children to have access to where they came from while they are working on where they are going. Because “open adoption” can mean so many different things, it is important to define openness as we expect it will happen.

An open adoption, as we see it, is one in which a child, regardless of the age or circumstances, has contact with the birth family. This contact can be in the form of letters, phone conversations and visits. The birth family and the adoptive family are responsible for planning how these take place. Keep in mind this is not co-parenting, but a very special relationship that exists between two families who love a child. Open adoption is an honest way to deal with building a family through adoption. There are no secrets, no lies about how and why a child came to be. Of course, information is shared with the child in age-appropriate ways. As with any relationship, there will be times when this openness will perhaps challenge you to look at things in a different way. Keep in mind this is just the beginning of a great many challenges you will face as you raise your children.

Our Adopt Waiting Children Program works in conjunction with the CYFS Foster Care Program to help find homes for children who are legally free for adoption. Our adoption and family development specialists work very closely with you to help develop an understanding of the issues accompanying an adoption involving an older child. You will learn how to assist the child as they work through the grief of losing their first family as well as how to help them trust they are loved and safe with you, their new parents.

CYFS recognizes the estimated 600,000 human embryos in frozen storage in The United States. These embryos were created by couples who chose pregnancy through in vitro fertilization. Once parents have been able to build their family, many are then faced with what to do with the remaining embryos. Many will choose Embryo Adoptions as a way to ensure their embryos have a chance to grow up with loving parents in a loving family. The prospective parents work with either an agency or fertility clinic on the actual process of placement; however our adoption and family development specialist in the Embryo Adoption Program at CYFS can assist you in completing the necessary parent training, counseling and home study process as well as any required post placement supervision process. Adoption staff are also available to provide support during the waiting and matching periods.

It is our belief families who come to CYFS seeking assistance with an adoption plan have the children’s very best interest in mind. Whether you are considering the Infant, Adopt Waiting Children or Embryo Adoption Program, educate yourself on the details of adoption. Actively participate in our parent trainings and support groups to get prepared for your journey and your role as an adoptive parent. Also, remember you are not alone on your journey. Our staff is here to walk with you every step of the way.

My very best wishes and once again welcome to The Center for Youth and Family Solutions Adoption Services.

Sincerely,
Mary Kay Collins, MS
Director of Child and Family Well-Being – Adoption, Licensing & Recruitment