Through Pregnancy Counseling, women, men and couples facing an unplanned pregnancy are able to evaluate their options, receive help with immediate needs, make the decision to parent the child or form an adoption plan. The main goal is to help mothers make the best decision for the baby and themselves.
The Pregnancy Counseling and Adoption Program offered by Catholic Charities includes:
One-on-one counseling for the duration of the pregnancy and up to a year after the birth of the baby
Parenting education
Parenting and birth planning
Adoption planning
Referrals to agencies for help as needed
For those who choose to parent, counselors provide information and referrals on:
Prenatal health and medical care
Labor, delivery and breastfeeding
Housing, furniture and clothing
Employment and education opportunities
For those who choose to make an adoption plan, counselors will help throughout the adoption process to:
Evaluate families prepared to adopt
Decide on the type of relationship the birth mother would like to have with the adoptive family
Maintain an ongoing relationship with the adoptive family, in the manner the birth mother chooses
A counselor is available for a confidential interview in the client's home community. The pregnancy counseling services are available to all pregnant women, regardless of age, race or faith. The counselors can provide a wide range of services and referrals to help support mothers with unexpected pregnancies. Fathers and family members are welcome to participate in counseling sessions.
Service Area:
Douglas and Shawnee Counties
Contact Information:
Topeka: 785.233.6300
All other locations: 1.800.227.3002 Email for more information
Adoption Services
Catholic Charities is a licensed adoption agency in Kansas. Newborns and infants through six months of age are available for adoption by couples. Couples take part in an assessment process, complete parenting education and receive follow-up support after the adoption to help the parents provide a nurturing environment. Adoption preparation, adoption home study, placement and post-placement services are provided to families.
Service Area:
Couples must reside in the Catholic Charities 21-county service area and meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify.
Contact Information:
Topeka: 785.233.6300
All other locations: 1.800.227.3002 Email for more information
Adoption Search Services
Many adult adoptees or birth parents who were adopted through Catholic Charities are interested in searching for information on their families. Within the confines of the law and available records, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas can provide either non-identifying or identifying information.
For persons adopted through Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas or those who had an adoption plan with the agency, there are two possible services, each with a fee for the staff time involved:
The first option is to get a summary of non-identifying information from the Adoption file. This might include some medical, genetic and social history. It may also include detailed information about extended family, such as information about the birthmother’s family.
Since it is non-identifying information, no names or locations are shared. To provide any identifying information, counselors need the permission of the birthmother or birthfather, which requires a full search.
The fee for this summary is $50. Should the adoptee decide within six months to proceed with a search, that $50 is applied towards the search fee.
The second option is to search for the birth family, with the risk of not being able to locate anyone, but the possibility of finding one or more family members. Those searching might be able to obtain updated medical, genetic, social history and, if all parties are willing, begin to communicate through letters, email or even visits. The fee for this type of search is $100.
Service Area:
Adoption Search Services are available to those who were adopted through or did an adoption plan with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. This includes adoptions planned through service site locations Kansas City, KS, Lawrence and Topeka and placed within the 21-county service area.
Contact Information:
Topeka: 785.233.6300
All other locations: 1.800.227.3002 Email for more information
