Has anyone out there worked with The Cradle Adoption Agency in Chicago, IL?

Question

My husband and I recently attended and informational meeting held by The Cradle. The agency seems well established and they had a family come in to speak to us about their adoption experience with The Cradle. I'm just looking for someone, anyone really who has used The Cradle or who has a family member or friend who has adopted through The Cradle. We're interested in the Sayer's Center Program or Adopting within the US.

Thanks to anyone out there who responds!

Answer 1

I haven't heard good things about them. For some reason it strikes a cord in my memory but not enough to remember why. I serached for and couldn't find anything on them, but I do know that there is. I'm not sure if its because they were amoung one of the most abusive unwed mother homes agencies in the baby scoop era ( read "girls who went away by ann fessler to get an understanding of what I'm talking about ) or if its adotion agency scandals in present day.

If i come across it, i'll post it up.

Answer 2

We were also considering adopting from there but then moved out of state.  I think they have the strongest US adoption program in IL.  Also, I know they do open adoptions.  That was a big reason we were interested in working with them.  Good luck!

Answer 3

I dont know anyone who has used it im in MI.

But if you want to talk to people who have used them you can ask the agency to see if they can give you some contacts so you can talk to people who have used them.

Its good that you are researching and keeping your options open.

Answer 4

no but i have heard of the crisis nursery located in Minnesota.

Answer 5

Based on the information on their WEB site I would advise pregnant women who are considering giving their babies away to adoption to stay far, far away.  All of the post adoption services are geared toward adoptive parents.  There is no mention of open adoption.  Very scary.

ETA - Sorry - they do mention open adoption.  Several clicks down.  Hidden away.

Answer 6

I thought they were sued by adoptive parents.

Answer 7

I know of someone who worked with them - horrible communication, no follow-through.  Only contact occured when they were nearing time to renew their homestudy - meaning it was time for another fee to be paid to the agency.  Sent their profile - with no contact first - to a woman who was just barely three months pregnant.  In the six months they had not been in contact, this couple adopted a daughter.

Aside from the blatant seeking of additional fees, what is most troublesome is the fact that they are sending expired profiles out - who knows what happened in those last  6 months??  The woman (couple/girl) making the decision for her child should never be in the position of receiving information that is outdated, from people that no one has been in contact with for so long.  They shouldn't even be showing them profiles at this point - they should be helping her to make the decision - talking about all of her options. How much worse would it be to choose a family and then hear that they had already adopted, had moved, etc.etc.  They should also let PAPs know they are sending the profile out.  Just handled very badly from all aspects.

These may seem like small things - but, believe me - they aren't.  It sends up HUGE red flags about how badly they are treating other potential birth mothers, what other information isn't being followed up on, what else is falling through the cracks.

As a PAP, it is absolutely your responsibility to only deal with agencies who are providing appropriate care, counseling and services to those on the other side of the triad - before, during and after the adoption.