All children deserve the stability of a loving, caring environment to call home.
To be an adoptive parent,
- You DON’T need to own a home, be married or be wealthy.
- You DO need to offer a loving and stable home to a child, be open to accepting a child’s background and a willingness to learn about adoption issues.
General FAQ’s
How will LSSI assist us in adopting a child?
Once you contact LSSI, an adoption specialist will invite you to an Adoption Information Meeting or, if you are more comfortable, to an individual meeting with the adoption specialist. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make an educated decision about the type of adoption you wish to pursue. You will be assigned an adoption specialist who will educate and support you throughout the preparation period, the placement, and post placement process. In addition, we provide support groups for adoptive parents.
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How will LSSI prepare us for adoptive parenthood?
Unlike many agencies that use the home study process as an opportunity to interview and assess the adoptive family, LSSI also uses this period to discuss topics such as:
- Parenting styles,
- Parenting an adopted child,
- Addressing the community when questions arise about adoption,
- Helping your children understand adoption and preparing them for questions.
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Will LSSI help our family adjust to the changes in our lives as a result of the adoption?
LSSI is strongly committed to providing post-adoption services to our families. We provide post placement services to adoptive and birth families. Adoptive families will work with their assigned adoption specialist throughout the process which includes post adoption services. LSSI ensures all domestic and international requirements are met.
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What is the home study process?
The home study process helps to facilitate conversation between the adoption specialist and the adoptive family. The home study is very much a collaborative process between the adoption specialist and the adoptive family. It involves interviews and assessments by the adoption specialist to ensure compliance with state and international requirements.
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Why should I use LSSI for my adoption?
LSSI has been providing children with safe, secure and loving families to grow and thrive since 1867. Our experienced, knowledgeable, and caring staff has extensive experience in infant, inter-country, and special needs adoptions. Our goal is to assist you in fulfilling your dream of becoming a parent through the adoption process.
LSSI does not discriminate based on religion, race or ethnicity.
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How can I get a tax credit when adopting?
The Center for Economic Progress discusses the potential to receive over $11,390.00 in tax credit for adopting through DCFS. For more information on tax assistance when adopting, please refer to adoptionillinois.org's Resources section on tax assistance.
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When does my child become covered under my health insurance policy? (For families adopting non-DCFS children.)
Per the Illinois Insurance code, if you have group insurance, your child is covered at placement. If you have an individual insurance plan, the insurance company is not obligated to cover the child at placement, but must cover him or her when an interim order is issued. (Citation from Insurance code follows.)
(215 ILCS 5/356h) (from Ch. 73, par. 968h)
Sec. 356h. No individual or group policy of accident and health insurance which covers the insured's immediate family or children, as well as covering the insured, shall exclude a child from coverage or limit coverage for a child solely because the child is an adopted child, or solely because the child does not reside with the insured. For purposes of this Section, a child who is in the custody of the insured, pursuant to an interim court order of adoption or, in the case of group insurance, placement of adoption, whichever comes first, vesting temporary care of the child in the insured, is an adopted child, regardless of whether a final order granting adoption is ultimately issued. (Source: P.A. 91-549, eff. 8-14-99.)
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LSSI Adoption Services, 1-888-671-0300 or Request Information Online
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Download the Adoption Interaction-Grievance Brochure PDF
