Assists adoptive families with the process of adoption. Adoption specialists available to provide support and guidance before, during, and after adoptions. Adoption programs: Domestic Identified Adoption: Prospective adoptive families and birth parents connect with each other directly or through an intermediary. LCFS can provide guidance to the prospective adoptive families. Interstate Adoption: LCFS can assist prospective adoptive families in Illinois who identify prospective birth parents in another state. LCFS can also assist prospective adoptive families living outside of Illinois who have located expectant parents living in Illinois who are considering an adoption plan. Adopting Children in Care: LCFS can assist prospective adoptive parents who are interested in adopting youth in care who are waiting for adoptive families. International (Home Study Only) Adoption: LCFS can complete a home study for Illinois prospective adoptive parents who are working with a Hague-accredited placing agency or approved adoption service provider (ASP). The LCFS adoption specialist will: - Provide assistance in meeting all of the international home study requirements and complete a thorough home study report. - Provide assistance in obtaining and requiring, approved Hague adoption training. - Help identify the type of child best suited for the adopting family. - Provide information on adoptive parent resources. - Provide post-placement/post-adoption services and support and complete the reports that are required by your child's country of origin and the ASP. - Provide guidance on obtaining a Social Security number, a U.S. birth certificate and proof of U.S. citizenship for the child, as well as information for the finalization of the child's adoption or re-adoption in the United States. Search Assistance: Domestic Adoption Search: LCFS search assistance services focus on helping adoptees and birth parents access information or connection they seek. If a connection if made, LCFS provides guidance and support during the connection process. Services include: - Providing non-identifying background and medical case-file information to adoptees by Illinois law. - Making an attempt to contact a birth parent or an adoptee based on case file information (if requested). International Post Adoption Services: Birth Family Search - Korea: Korean-born adult adoptees (age 19 or older) or parents of adopted minors who were placed thorough Lifelink International Adoption can initiate a search for birth parents. LCFS will facilitate the exchange of available information through Eastern Social Welfare Society (ESWS). Correspondence with Located Korean Birth Family and/or Foster Family: LCFS can serve as an intermediary between an adoptee who was placed by Lifelink International Adoption and located birth family and/or foster family members by facilitating ongoing correspondence. Photos and letters will be emailed to ESWS' Post Adoption Program. If both parties consent to share email addresses, ESWS will then encourage direct contact. LCFS is not able to provide translation services.