Suggested Books
Here is a collection of books that may be additional resources for you as you consider adoption as an option or as you process the emotions you may experience if you choose adoption for your child.
Sam’s Sister by Juliet C. Bond |
Given In Love by Maureen Connelly |
The Adoption Option for Birth Mothers by Penny LaBelle |
Life Givers by James L. Gritter |
The Open Adoption Experience by Melina and Roszia |
Shattered Dreams-Lonely Choices by Joanne Finnegan |
Birth Parent’s Guide to Grief by Speight and Foote |
Those Three Words by Christine Bauer |
Restorative Grief by Cynthia Christensen
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Websites
Illinois-based resources
Access Community Health Network
Operates 34 community health centers in Chicago, greater Cook County and DuPage County. Pregnancy testing and prenatal care offered in most centers. They also offer behavioral health services.
866-267-2353
Erie Family Health Center
Provides healthcare and behavioral health services at multiple locations in Chicago’s North and West sides, Evanston/Skokie and Waukegan.
312-666-3494
Planned Parenthood of Illinois
Offers a variety of gynecological and reproductive health services at convenient locations throughout Illinois and the US.
800-230-7526
Howard Brown Health
LGBTQ organization with services in primary medical care, behavioral health, research, HIV/STI prevention, youth services, elder services and community initiatives. Serves men, women, trans and gender non-conforming folks, infants, youth, and children. While their main health and research center is in the Uptown neighborhood, they also operate out of several locations throughout the Chicagoland area.
4025 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60613
773-338-1600
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
The state of Illinois has a number of medical programs to help individuals and families get access to quality care.
For information about where to apply call: 1-800-843-6154
For more information about medical benefits call: 1-866-468-7543
Centro Romero
Family service programs helping Latinos with legal referral, public benefits assistance, youth programs and GED. Also provides domestic violence services in Spanish.
773-508-5300
6216 N. Clark
Chicago, IL 60660
City of Chicago Family & Support Services
Chicago DFSS can connect individuals and families in need to important resources, from subsidized, quality childcare, to housing for the homeless
312-743-0300
Administrative Offices
1615 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
Community Counseling Center of Chicago
A community mental health agency with locations on the north side of Chicago.
773-769-0205
Illinois Department of Human Services
The Illinois Department of Human Services can help you apply for cash, SNAP, medical assistance, child care assistance and more. They also offer early intervention services to children up to three years old with disabilities or delays.
1-800-843-6154
Family Focus
Offers family support programs including: early childhood development, family advocacy centers, fatherhood, health and nutrition, home visiting, immigration and citizenship support, school and center-based youth programs and trauma support for young children and families. They have centers in 7 different neighborhoods across the Chicagoland area.
312-421-5200
Metropolitan Family Services
Education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment programs to strengthen families and help them realize their full potential. They have 7 community locations and multiple affiliate locations in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, DuPage County, and the southwest suburbs.
For general inquiries: 312-968-4000
Albany Park Community Center
Community center on the north side of Chicago that offers childcare, educational programs, mental health services, as well as, workforce and business development programs.
5101 N. Kimball Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
773-509-5657
Center on Halsted
Community organization that is dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the LGBTQ people of Chicagoland. They offer vocational training, community programs and services, and behavioral health services, including group therapy.
3656 N. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60613
773-472-6469
Safe Families for Children
Provides safe, temporary housing arrangements for children.
4300 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60641
773-653-2200
Chicago Emergency Housing Hotline
Prevention, outreach, shelter and housing programs and supportive services.
800-654-8595
Crisis Nursery Programs
The Department of Human Service partners with crisis nurseries service providers to meet the needs of families who experience short-term crisis. There are 6 nurseries in Illinois who currently provide respite and short-term care. Check the website to find the number of the nursery closest to you.
YWCA Rape Crisis Hotline and Counseling Services
24 hour support for survivors of sexual assault and their significant others.
Call 888-293-2080 in Chicago Metropolitan Area
Call 630-971-3927 in DuPage County
Call 708-748-5672 in the South Suburbs
Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline
This hotline is toll free, confidential, multilingual and open 24-hour. Services are free and private. The hotline provides support, information, and referral. You do not have to leave the abuser or your home to get help. The helpline operator or the local agency will help connect you with domestic violence programs throughout Illinois and provides safety assistance to victims of domestic violence.
1-877-863-6338
Perinatal Depression 24-hour Support Crisis Line
Some women experience depressive symptoms during their pregnancy, which can be a sign of a serious condition called perinatal depression (also known as postpartum depression when it occurs after birth). There is a free, confidential 24-hotline to help women and support people find information, support, and resources to support women experiencing this.
1-866-364-6667
Empowering Women Strengthening Families: Holt Sunnyridge
Goal setting and case management services to help support women become healthy, independent, and empowered mothers.
630-754-4510
270 Remington Blvd., Suite D
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
New Moms
Provides parent education programs, job training, and supportive housing programs.
773-252-3253
5317 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
206 Chicago Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
Well of Mercy
Communal living program that supports single mothers by providing housing, career mentoring, counseling, and life skills workshops.
773-274-4227
6339 N. Fairfield Ave.
Chicago, IL 60659
Start Early
There are many birth-to-five educational home visiting programs in the state of Illinois that can help provide support to you as a parent. Please click on the link above to find a program near you.
Women Infant & Children (WIC)
Supplemental nutrition program for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who had a baby within the last six months, infants, and children under the age of five.
800-323-4769
IL Action for Children - Cook County
Provides child care referrals and subsidies for child care. Services are available in Spanish. Several walk-in locations throughout Cook County.
312-823-1100
Fussy Baby Network/Erikson Institute
Parent groups, warmline, infant parents program and a clinic. Services are available in Spanish. They take calls from around the world and offer home visiting support and parent groups for those in the Chicagoland area.
888-431-BABY
Treatment-Centers.net
Treatment-centers.net features a local listing of rehab centers that treat pregnant women. Treatment-centers.net is a community-based public-benefit website connecting people to the addiction resources they need. The resource is free to the public.
Indiana-Based Resources
Community HealthNet Health Centers
Community based organization that provides accessible, affordable and quality medical care at 6 locations throughout Lake County, Indiana.
219-880-1190
HealthLinc
Community Health Center with locations in Valparaiso, Michigan City, Knox, Mishawaka, East Chicago, and South Bend, Indiana.
888-580-1060
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky
Planned Parenthood offers a variety of gynecological and reproductive health services at convenient locations throughout the US.
1-800-230-7526
Hoosier Healthwise
An Indiana health care program for children up to age 19 and pregnant women. The program covers medical care like doctor’s visits, prescription medicine, mental health care, dental care, hospitalizations, and surgeries at little or no cost to the member or the member’s family.
1-800-457-4584
Crisis Center, Inc.
Crisis intervention, information, and referrals throughout Indiana. Counseling and crisis services available, as well as an emergency shelter for youth ages 10 through 18.
219-938-7070 (local)
Porter-Starke Services
Community based mental health services with locations in Valparaiso, Portage and Knox, Gary and Hebron, Indiana.
219-531-3500
Swanson Center
Community based mental health services with locations in Michigan City and LaPorte, Indiana. Provides educational and therapeutic outpatient programs.
7224 W 400 N, Michigan City 1230 State Road 2 West
Indiana 46360 LaPorte, Indiana 46350
219-879-4621 219-362-2145
Hilltop Neighborhood House
Offers child care, a food pantry, an after school program, and other services for children.
219-477-4222
460 S College Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Youth and Family Services Bureau
Counseling, parenting support programs, mentoring programs, juvenile justice services, early intervention, and CASA program. Locations in Valparaiso, IN and Portage, IN.
219-464-9585
253 W. Lincolnway
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Baptist Children’s Home Safe Families
Provides safe, temporary housing arrangements for children. Baptist Children’s Home serves families in Northern Indiana. Click link for other chapters throughout Indiana.
219-465-7777
Crisis Center, Inc.
Provides free crisis intervention, information, and referrals throughout Indiana. Counseling and crisis services available, as well as an emergency shelter for youth ages 10 through 18.
Crisis Contact Line: 219-938-7070 (local)
Housing Opportunities
Housing support services for individuals living in Porter and LaPorte counties.
219-548-2800
2001 Calumet Ave
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Dunebrook
Free parenting support services with programs available in La Porte, Porter, Jasper, Newton, Pulaski and Starke counties in Indiana.
800-897-0007
Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana
Parenting and family programs that promote positive mental health and overall well-being through the support and enrichment of children and families. All programming is available in both English and Spanish.
219-937-7733
5311 Hohman Ave.
Hammond, IN 46320
Women Infant & Children (WIC)
Supplemental nutrition program for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who had a baby within the last six months, infants, and children under the age of five.
800-323-4769
Healthy Families Indiana
There are home visiting programs across the state of Indiana that are designed to promote healthy families and healthy children through a variety of services including child development, access to health care, and parent education. Click on the link above to find the Healthy Families Indiana office closest to you.
National Resources
Women Infant & Children (WIC)
Supplemental nutrition program for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who had a baby within the last six months, infants, and children under the age of five.
800-323-4769
Texts for Baby
This texting services sends free text messages three times per week, timed to your due date or the baby’s birth date, through pregnancy and up until the baby’s first birthday. They send you information regarding milestones, signs of labor, appointment reminders, breastfeeding support, health alerts, and more.
Text BABY to 511411
Fussy Baby Network/Erikson Institute
Parent groups, warmline, infant parents program and a clinic. Services are available in Spanish. They take calls from around the world and offer home visiting support and parent groups for those in the Chicagoland area.
888-431-BABY
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Provides immediate support to victims of abuse.
1-800-799-7233
Postpartum Support International
Provides information about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and can help you find support in your area. Please note: this is not a crisis hotline.
1-800-944-4773
National Crisis Text line: Text HOME to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
On Your Feet Foundation
Post-adoption support and case management services to birth parents. Also hosts retreats and other gatherings for birth parents to form community. Grants are available to birthparents who placed in Illinois or Indiana or currently reside in Illinois or Indiana. Retreats are open to any birth mom, no matter her location.
224-858-6933
1555 Sherman Avenue, #173
Evanston, IL 60201
BraveLove
An online community where stories are shared that convey the bravery of birth moms and the love surrounding adoption. They also collect information regarding support groups and retreats throughout the country.
Lifetime Healing
Provides adoption education, post placement care trainings and post placement support groups.