Catholic Social Service is hosting two different orientation sessions, and an Infant Open Adoption workshop for couples who are interested in adopting a child.
Many couples have thought about adopting a baby, but it’s a big decision, said Rebecca Ford at CSS. Common questions include: CAN we adopt? Why should or shouldn’t we adopt? What are the different kinds of adoption? What does it entail? What kind of protections and support would we have? How much does it cost? What information do we need to know about raising an adopted child that’s different from raising a child that was born to us? How do we respond to our adopted child’s questions later on?
While there are many unknowns, it is also possible for couples to be armed with some of the most current information available so that they can make the best decision about adoption for themselves and their family, Ford said.
Two free orientation sessionss will be held at Neumann University in Dodge City (236 San Jose) on May 31 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and at the Catholic Social Service office in Great Bend, 2201 16th St., on June 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Couples should plan to attend the orientation that best fits their location and schedule.
For couples who are ready to take the next step toward infant adoption, a more intensive Open Adoption Workshop will take place on June 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Neumann University in Dodge City. While the orientations are free, there is a $500 fee for the day-long workshop.
“It is very important for us as an agency to reach out to those who are considering adoption as we are always in need of adoptive families,” said social worker, Amy Falcon. “There is a perception that there are too many families wanting to adopt but this is just not the case. Our goal is to find families for the children who need homes.”
As part of a national Catholic Charity network that has been looking after the needs of children, parents and families for more than 100 years, Catholic Social Service is licensed by the State of Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and has been providing adoption services in southwest Kansas for almost 50 years. For more information about adoption services at Catholic Social Service, or to register for the adoption workshop series, contact Angela Schawe at aschawe@catholisesocialservice.org, or by phone at 620-792-1393.