Whether you are a birth mother seeking pregnancy counseling, a couple seeking to adopt, or a family interested in offering a foster home, Children's Services of Catholic Charities is here for you. Since 1947, Children's Services has provided service to the community. Every person, regardless of age, race, creed or marital status, is guaranteed considerate personal and confidential assistance by Children's Services.

With respect for all involved in a crisis pregnancy situation, Children's Services provides services for the woman who chooses to continue her pregnancy and support to those who will be affected by her choice.

Catholic Charities Children's Services programs are also offered at our Fredericksburg District Office .

Client Rights and Responsibilities

A young woman experiencing a crisis pregnancy usually feels alone, confused, and overwhelmed by the decisions facing her. At Children's Services, each pregnant mother is seen by a professional social worker experienced in helping in problem pregnancy situations. The social worker listens to and helps the young mother through these difficult and life-changing situations. Confidential services are available during the pregnancy and after delivery for as long as the mother chooses.

Counseling is important, too, for the baby's father and the respective families. Sessions can be arranged in whatever manner is best to foster communications and understanding between the young couple and their parents. Are you pregnant, and do not know where to turn? Call Catholic Charities at 1-800-CARE-002.

Housing
When a pregnant mother cannot remain in her own home, Children's Services can provide temporary housing with a foster family who has met the qualifications and standards established for Virginia licensed child-placing agencies. To ensure optimum care, Children's Services supervises these foster homes on a regular basis.

After delivery, the social worker will link the young woman with various community resources. Though limited, there are several housing programs where single mothers are able to raise their infants and complete educational and job-training programs while becoming self-sufficient members of the community.

Medical
Often, a young mother in a crisis pregnancy is unable to pay for prenatal care and delivery costs. Children's Services is dedicated to the belief that no woman should feel pressured into deciding not to carry a pregnancy to term because she lacks the emotional, physical, and financial support she needs. Understanding these needs, the staff of Children's Services works with the young mother to find available resources for financial support.

Children's Services also offers special childbirth preparation courses for the single mother.

Sometimes birth parents are undecided whether it is best to raise their child or to make an adoption plan for the baby. Temporary foster care is available to allow the parents time to consider their situation and to complete plans for education, employment, parenthood, or adoption.

Children's Services selects foster families for their ability to provide love, understanding, and the nurturing environment necessary for the healthy development of the baby.

Short-term foster care for infants and young children during a time of family crisis, when the children cannot be cared for in their own homes, is provided on a space-available basis.

Reflections of a Foster Mother

Volunteers needed: Are you interested in being a foster parent and providing a loving home for infants and children? Call 703-425-0100 for more information.

Children's Services is a Virginia licensed child-placing agency, assuring high-quality confidential services. The dignity and worth of all involved in an adoption—the child, the birth parents, and the adoptive parents—are always respected.

Prospective adoptive parents are interviewed during an adoption home-study process. Approval for placement of a child is based on a couple's capability to provide a secure, stable, warm, and loving family environment. In addition to our regular domestic program, Children's Services also offers assistance to those interested in Special Needs, International, Interstate, and Parental Placement adoptions.

Adoption Information Class Schedule

Adoption Fee Policy

Eligibility requirements for domestic adoptions

Eligibility requirements for international, interstate, and parental placement adoptions

Post-Adoption
Children's Services also sponsors post-adoption workshops and counseling services to adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoptees.

Birth Mother's Support Group
This group meets weekly in northern Virginia. It is for any woman who has ever placed a child in adoption and would like to meet with others who have done the same. The group will be led by a professional social worker. For more information, please call 703-425-0100.

Friends of Children's Services is a volunteer group working to promote the programs of Children's Services through the community and schools by sponsoring workshops and seminars on adoption and foster care. Members of the FOCS are primarily families who have adopted children. Therefore, they area able to answer any questions regarding adoption and to offer support to others who are in the adoptive process.

Individuals, couples, or families are invited to join FOCS in their promotion of adoption. For more information about FOCS, call Children's Services at (703) 425-0100.