 | The Adoption Center at Catholic Charities
Since its inception in 1954, the goal of the Adoption Center at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg has been to create permanent families for our children. Adoption for many families and individuals can be a rewarding and challenging experience. It is a lifelong process during which both parents and children learn about one another to form a loving, caring and permanent family unit. The Adoption Center offers individuals, married couples and families opportunities to begin or extend their families by preparing their home for an infant or an older child.
Catholic Charities provides all adoption services and programs to individuals, couples and families regardless of religion, race, sex, age, nationality or political belief.
The Adoption Process
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to conduct home studies for all adoptions. These may include:
- Infant
- Private
- Older child
- Special needs
- Interstate
- International
The home study, also referred to as a family profile, is required by law to adopt a child and provides a comprehensive assessment of the potential adoptive parents’ capacity for parenting and understanding of adoption issues.
To make the adoption process more personal and create a positive foundation for the future exchange of information, many placements made with birthparents involve the option of openness. Some examples of openness are face-to-face meetings, exchanging letters, pictures and/or child development information through the agency on an infrequent basis following completion of the legal adoption.
Statewide Adoption Network Affiliation
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg is an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN), which aids in the placement of children who are in foster care and have the goal of adoption. These children may be identified as having:
- Emotional Issues
- Physical challenges
- Mental health diagnosis
- Minority/mixed race heritage
- Sibling Groups
The Adoption Center staff is involved in the life histories of these children as well as the family profiles needed to make permanent matches. Support services are also offered to help maintain the stability of the family unit.
Support Services
Catholic Charities offers workshops and educational experiences for both children and families to help prepare them for the special issues present in adoption. Post placement adoptive workshops are also offered. These are often defined by and focus on issues unique to adoptive families.
Confidential – Professional – Affordable
All information is held in strict confidence and within the guidelines of all federal and state adoption laws. Learn more about our fee schedule, or contact Lynn Grindle, program coordinator of The Adoption Center.
The Adoption Center at Catholic Charities supports all of our families throughout the lifelong process of adoption with the professional aggregate experience of more than 50 years.
Check out our FAQ section for the most frequently asked questions and answers about The Adoption Center at Catholic Charities. |