South Bend Adoption & Foster Care Resources

If you live in South Bend, Indiana and want to pursue adoption, either as an expecting mother or a hopeful adoptive family, you may want to look for adoption resources in your area. If you are looking for adoption agencies, foster care professionals, or home study providers in South Bend, the following page will provide you with everything you need and more.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in South Bend

Adoption agencies are professionals that provide full pre- and post-adoption services to birth parents and adoptive families. By working with an agency, you can receive counseling, education, assistance with finding a match, and guidance through each step of the process. If you are interested in working with an agency or professional near you, you can contact one of the following South Bend professionals:

• Holy Family Catholic Adoption Agency
• Mario J. Zappia, Attorney at Law
• Beverly S. Peters and Associates, P.C.
• Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C.

South Bend Foster Care Agencies

In order to become a foster parent in South Bend, you must make sure you meet Indiana’s state requirements, which include:

• Attend a 10-hour foster parent training program
• Complete the foster care licensing packet for your county
• Pass a background check and home study

To begin the foster care process or to inquire about available children, contact one of your South Bend professionals:

• KidsPeace
• SAFY of Indiana: South Bend

Home Study Providers
Consisting of personal interviews, background checks, a home evaluation and more, the Indiana home study is one of the most important parts of every adoption and foster care process.
It is important to choose the right professional to complete your adoption home study and ensure it complies with all state laws and requirements. To get started, contact a home study provider in your area:
Near South Bend:

• KidsFirst Adoption
  317-843-2300
  KidsFirst is qualified to provide domestic and Hague-compliant international home studies to families in Indiana.
• MLJ Adoptions
  317-875-0058
  Indiana parents can contact MLJ Adoptions to complete their domestic, international, stepparent, kinship, or embryo adoption.

In Indiana:

• Adoptions of Indiana
  317-574-8950
  With Adoptions of Indiana, you can be sure that your home study is completed in accordance with Indiana guidelines, and you can find any other adoption services you require.
• Protect Our Children, Inc.
  317-927-7159
  Originally created to provide home studies to Indiana families, Protect Our Children, Inc. now also offers post-placement assessments and counseling and support for birth mothers.
• Adoptions and Family Support Network
  219-924-2600
  Adoptions and Family Support Network offers a wide range of services to prospective birth parents and adoptive families, including any of your home study needs.

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

Hospitals near South Bend

Prospective birth mothers must work with their adoption specialist and healthcare provider to plan for the hospital trip when it is time to have the baby. If you are an expecting mother pursuing an adoption plan, you and your specialist will discuss what kind of labor and delivery experience you want, how much time you would like with your baby, and who you want to be there with you.
When you are ready to begin considering your hospital plan, you can contact one of the following hospitals in or near the South Bend area:

• Mishawaka Medical Center
  5215 Holy Cross Parkway
  Mishawaka, IN 46545
  574-335-5000
• Memorial Hospital of South Bend
  615 North Michigan Street
  South Bend, IN 46601
  574-647-1000

Indiana Adoption Laws and Requirements

Some of the most common questions for those considering adoption in South Bend are about local adoption laws and regulations. Adoption laws are determined by the state and are the same in South Bend as they are in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and anywhere else in the state.
The following provides an overview of the types of laws and regulations in place in Indiana. For more information, you can visit our Indiana adoption information page.
Birth Parents:
For birth mothers and fathers, the primary legal process in adoption is the execution of consent. If you are considering an adoption plan for your baby, you can learn about adoption consent, relinquishment, paternity laws and more here.
Adoptive Families:
Many prospective adoptive parents have questions about the laws, rules and qualifications for adopting a baby in South Bend. Indiana statutes regulate several areas of the adoption, from the qualifications to adopt to the expenses that can be paid by adoptive families. More information about these and other laws and regulations is available here.

County Court Information

The final stage of the legal adoption process is the finalization of the adoption, which will be completed in family court. After you complete your post-placement assessments, your adoption professional will inform you of when you need to appear for your hearing and legally finalize the adoption.
If you are adopting in South Bend, Indiana, find additional information for your county on the St. Joseph County Superior Court page.

Things to Do in South Bend

If your adoption journey leads you to the South Bend area, either to meet with prospective birth parents or to wait for ICPC paperwork to be processed, be sure to take advantage of all the city has to offer. Here are some top attractions to visit in South Bend before returning to your home state:

• South Bend Museum of Art
• Basilica of the Sacred Heart
• The Studebaker National Museum
• Potawatomi Zoo