Match meetings are very big step in the adoption process. For expectant parents, you’ve likely looked at many family profiles to find a family that you hope to place your child with, and now you get to meet them in person! For the prospective adoptive parents, you may have been waiting to match and now… Continue reading What to Expect at a Match Meeting

In September, ACFB hosted our very first adoption celebration for families who have adopted through us in the last ten years. Our theme for the event – “We Are Family” –came from our mission to maintain connections with the families who adopt through us. Our staff was also able to visit with the families whose… Continue reading We Are Family – Maintaining Connections After Placement

Each November we celebrate Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity focused on giving back to our communities in need. This year we will be celebrating Giving Tuesday on November 28, 2023. Throughout the month leading up to Giving Tuesday, we like to share how the generous support from our community helps us provide necessary… Continue reading Why Do We Fundraise?

Relative adoption, also known as kinship adoption, is an option for family members to obtain legal custody and parental rights of a child in their extended family. This could be grandparents, aunts, uncles, other extended family members, or a fictive kin (someone who has a close relationship with the child, but is not biologically related).… Continue reading What is Relative Adoption?

Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be overwhelming and scary. Maybe you feel that adoption is the best plan for you and your baby, but figuring out what the next steps are can be confusing. There is a lot of information online, but it may be hard to know where to begin. Here are some important… Continue reading Unplanned Pregnancy and Considering Adoption? Here’s How to Choose the Right Adoption Agency

When parents decide to grow their family through adoption, they are asked about what characteristics they are open to. This often includes age, health, and race or ethnicity of the child among other categories. Some may initially say, “I would love any child, so I am open to everything.” While the intention behind that statement… Continue reading 9 Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering Adopting Transracially

One of the most common questions we are asked by families waiting to adopt is “What can we do to increase our odds of matching?” The initial stages of the adoption process give prospective adoptive families a lot to keep busy with. Between selecting an agency, gathering documentation, completing the home study, and developing profile… Continue reading Self-Marketing in Adoption

Every year, the second Sunday of May is dedicated to mothers. At ACFB, we celebrate all mothers on this day, from birth mothers to adoptive mothers to mother-figures. For some birth parents, Mother’s Day can be very difficult. They may be reminded of the pain of having a child that they are not parenting. While… Continue reading What is Birth Mother’s Day?

In Illinois, April has been declared Safe Haven Awareness Month with the goal of informing residents of the Safe Haven option for their newborn child. The Safe Haven law, also known as the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act, enacted in 2001 in Illinois, is designed to provide struggling parents with a safe, legal alternative to… Continue reading Safe Haven Awareness Month

Adoption is a courageous and responsible choice. That said, it can be one of the most difficult decisions a parent ever makes. Expectant parents have so much love for their child, but often are struggling with an emotional or financial crisis that may impact their ability to provide for their child. Expectant parents understand their… Continue reading 6 Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering Placing Your Child for Adoption