CSSM - Catholic Social Services of Montana

SERVICES • INFANT ADOPTION

We are pleased that you are interested in our Infant Program. For over 50 years, we have counseled birthparents and placed children in adoptive homes. We assist expectant parents in freely deciding what is in the best interests of their child; for some, this decision involves making an adoption plan. Birthparents who choose adoption relinquish legal custody of the child to CSSM, and their parental rights are terminated by court order. After the child is placed in an adoptive home, we monitor the placement for six months, to support and help with any questions or concerns that arise with adoption. At the end of this time, CSSM prepares all the legal paperwork for the adoptive parents' attorney. After the adoption is finalized the child is a permanent member of the family, having the same rights and responsibilities as a birthchild.

We are advocates of open adoption, which promotes life-long relationships, but is not to be confused with "co-parenting." We arrange for the expectant parents to choose and meet the adoptive family, to exchange names and addresses, and to plan a continuing relationship, which includes the exchange of letters, photographs, and visits. It is common for adoptive parents to meet the birthmother before placement, so that everyone has an opportunity to become better acquainted before the child is born. We carry out closed adoptions (when birthparents and adoptive parents do not meet or exchange information) only when this is the expressed wish of the expectant parents or when it is not in the best interests of the child. The children we place in adoptive homes are usually infants.

We seek adoptive homes where children will be safe, loved, and treasured. We require that applicant couples be married, residents of Montana, and regular in the attendance and support of a Catholic or Protestant church (one or both spouses). We do not have an upper age limit. As a couple moves through the application process, CSSM provides preparation, counseling, and support; we work with each family to help them determine if they are ready emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially to welcome and accept an adopted child into their home. Ultimately, our goal is that each person understands and supports our philosophy of open adoption.

If you decide to pursue adoption through CSSM, ,you first complete an inquiry form and return it to our Helena Office. Our director reviews the inquiry to determine whether you meet our basic requirements. We then send you an application packet. Among other things, we ask you supply us with references and releases of information (so we can complete background checks). After we have received all those responses, and assuming that they are all favorable, you will be invited to a two-day workshop in either Billings or Helena, where we present a full explanation of our adoption philosophy and process, and respond to any questions. Both husband and wife are required to attend. After the workshop, applicants will write an autobiography, arrange for psychological screening, and schedule a time for a home visit and interviews by one of our staff. After being accepted by CSSM as adoptive parents, your involvement with us continues through our outreach and support programs, so that you may continue to educate and acquaint others with your plan to adopt. You will write a "Dear Expectant Parent" letter, which describes in your own words the unique aspects of your family, and why you hope to adopt. This letter and a photo album prepared by you are presented to expectant parents who are considering adoption. In addition, the social worker who completed your homestudy will also write a profile about your family to present to expectant parents.

After your approval by CSSM as adoptive parents, you continue to receive support from us while you wait to be linked with a birthfamily. Adoptive parents say that the wait is the hardest part of adopting. With us, the wait averages about 12 months (although the time line varies from year to year). Some couples are selected sooner than others, some may wait longer. Since the matching process is determined by the expectant parents and the unique personal characteristics of the adoptive parents, we are not able to predict when the child meant for you will appear.

CSSM strives to make adoption an affordable option by having a sliding scale for fees based on family income. Please ask about the adoption Tax Credit which is one way of covering the cost of adoption in full.

We hope this offers a brief explanation of our Infant Program. Please call us if you have any questions.

We look forward to working with you!