We offer professional, unbiased counseling on pregnancy-related issues, referrals to other agencies or resources as needed, and adoption services if the client chooses to release her child for adoption.

• Pregnancy counseling for you and your extended family before and after birth
• Practical information and support for those preparing to parent
• Adoption planning and placement services – If you can not parent you will be encouraged to consider open adoption which provides fully disclosed, ongoing, relationship based, adoption information to birth parents, adopted person’s, and adoptive families. Click here to view a video about open adoption.
• Referrals for housing, food, clothing, and medical services
• Hospital visitation and coordination of services with hospital staff
• Direct placement of infant into adoptive family.  Interim care for the child, if desired
• Assistance with the legal process of adoption including taking the birthparent release of custody and arranging for the legal termination of parental rights allowing the baby to be eligible for adoption
• Birthparent support services and post-adoption counseling

How are services provided? 
Counselors respect the rights and responsibilities of birthparents to plan for their child; we believe this involves a careful process of considering the decision, anticipating probable outcomes, and becoming aware of emotions associated with each choice. Counselors discuss with clients any pregnancy-related services they may need, and assist them in obtaining these services through the existing support system, by referral to appropriate resources, or by acting as advocate and liaison within the agency or community.

How do I make an adoption plan? 
For those considering or choosing adoption, counselors provide information about the adoption process, assistance with creating an adoption plan which includes selecting a family, meeting the family and working together to plan for the child’s future, placement of the child into the adoptive home, and post placement support.

Can I choose a family for my baby?
Yes! Catholic Charities has many different families you can choose from. These families have received extensive training about adoption and have completed the homestudy process allowing them to receive a child into their home for the purposes of adoption.
Meet families waiting to adopt

View a video about an adoptive families experience with A New Beginning
Hear one birth families story about their experience with open adoption


Learn more about Catholic Charities Adoption Program:
Pregnancy & Adoption Program Flier
Introductory Letter
Adoption Eligibility
Our Open Adoption Philosophy
Adoption Program Manual
Meet families waiting to adopt
Booklist
Definition and benefits of Open Adoption
Services and Fees
Iowa Adoption Law
Poem- Legacy of a Child in an Open Adoption
Myths and Facts of Open Adoption