Joliet Adoption & Foster Care Resources

For adopting families and expecting mothers alike, adoption can be a long and complex process, and you may be wondering what resources and support are available to you in the Joliet area. Fortunately, you can find local professionals, home study providers, healthcare professionals, and anything else you need to pursue your adoption. The following page will provide you with everything you need to know about adoption in Joliet.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Joliet

Whether you are considering adopting or placing a baby for adoption in Joliet, the professional you choose to work with can provide the guidance, services and support you need through the adoption process.
Some adoptive and birth parents are most comfortable working with a local or regional adoption agency. The following Joliet adoption professionals can help you complete your adoption:

• Holt-Sunny Ridge
• Adoption Center of Illinois
• O’Dekirk, Allred & Associates, LLC
• Reich, Jumbeck & Stole

Joliet Foster Care Resources

Parents looking to adopt an older child or provide temporary homes for children can pursue foster care in their home town. In order to be a foster parent in Joliet, you must meet the following Illinois requirements:

• Pass a criminal and fingerprint-based background check
• Pass a home inspection
• Submit a physical and other medical information
• Attend 27 hours of training

To learn more about foster care and available children, or to begin the process of becoming licensed, contact one of your nearby foster care professionals:

• Easterseals Joliet Region
• Guardian Angel Community Services
• Children’s Home and Aid

Home Study Providers

If you want to adopt a child in Joliet, you must first find a state-licensed social worker to conduct a home study for you. When you find a home study provider, they will help you through the process of completing a background check, home inspection, and interview to make sure your home is ready for a child.
To get your home study started, contact one of the following Illinois home study professionals:

• Mary’s Services
  847-870-8181
  With over 100 years of experience, St. Mary’s has helped countless couples complete their home studies and post-placement assessments.
• Madison Adoption Associates
  1-302-475-8977
  MAA is licensed in several states to complete home studies, and you do not have to be working with their agency to use their home study services.
• Adoption Center of Illinois
  1-800-966-5877
  The Adoption Center of Illinois provides Illinois-compliant home studies to families working with them or any other agency.

Visit 1800HomeStudy.com to learn more about Illinois home study providers.

Hospitals near Joliet

If you are an expectant mother pursuing adoption, you will need to consider your hospital plan as your due date approaches. As a prospective birth mother, you can work with your adoption specialist and healthcare provider to determine the type of labor and delivery experience you want to have.
When you are ready to begin creating your hospital plan, here are some Joliet area hospitals that may be able to assist you:

• Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center
  333 North Madison Street
  Joliet, IL 60435
  877-737-4636
• Silver Cross Hospital
  1900 Silver Cross Boulevard
  New Lenox, IL 60451
  815-300-1100
• Palos Community Hospital
  12251 South 80th Avenue
  Palos Heights, IL 60463
  708-923-4000
• Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
  3815 Highland Avenue
  Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
  1-630-275-5900

Illinois Adoption Laws and Requirements

If you are pursuing adoption, you should become aware of the laws that regulate the adoption process and protect the rights of everyone involved. To learn more about the details of adoption regulations and requirements, visit our page on How to Adopt in Illinois. For an overview on adoption laws pertaining to birth parents and adoptive families, read the sections below.
Birth Parents:
In order for a child to be legally adopted, the rights of both birth parents must be terminated. Illinois consent laws require 72 hours to pass after the birth before a mother can legally terminate her parental rights. This waiting time protects you from making a legal decision while in a compromised state.
The father of the child may consent to the adoption before the adoption takes place. If he cannot be located or you cannot obtain his consent for another reason, speak to your adoption professional about your options.
Adoptive Families:
In Illinois, the basic requirements for adoption eligibility determine who is allowed to adopt a child in the state. Additionally, your adoption professional may have its own set of requirements that you must meet in order to work with them. Other criteria for eligibility can include age, marital status, or religious affiliation. If you have any concerns about your adoption eligibility, speak to your professional.

County Court Information

All adoptions must be finalized in court before they are legally recognized. This usually takes place about six months after you take your baby home, and your adoption professional will give you more information closer to the date of your finalization. In the meantime, you can visit the Will County page or the Kendall County page for more information on court proceedings in your area.

Things to Do in Joliet

If you adopt a child in Joliet from another state, you will have to remain in the state of Illinois for 7-10 business days to wait for legal clearance. In the meantime, you can find some of the following things to do in Joliet:

• Splash Station
• Joliet Iron Works Historic Site
• Joliet Park District
• Joliet Area Historical Museum