July is Disability Pride Month. The Cradle, a nonprofit, licensed, child welfare agency headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, is proud to shine a light on its commitment to placing infants with special needs into loving homes and providing lifelong support to families.
In 2023, Cradle counselors gave a presentation at the National Adoption Conference addressing special needs and medically complex placements and how to prepare and support these families through their adoption. Families adopting a child with special needs will be supported through the process with this dedicated team of adoption professionals.
To see the impact of The Cradle’s work in special needs and medically fragile adoptions, watch the story of the Cornells. They adopted their “miracle kid,” Josiah, who spent the first ten 10 months of life in the ICU. “He just loves life and is a source of joy in our lives.” Watch their story here: https://cradle.org/blog/faces/the-cornells
“The Cradle proudly provides services to those with disabilities, whether expectant parents, adoptive parents, birth parents or adoptees,” said Pam Tancredi, Vice President of Adoption & Family Support at The Cradle. “Our counselors take a strengths-based approach and consider the unique needs of all the individuals and families we serve.”
The Cradle, with a reputation for ethical adoption practices, is passionate about diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing services and resources to all families. The organization is non-sectarian, working with clients from all abilities, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, gender identities, races and ethnicities.
The Cradle can perform home studies and assist families in connecting with various agencies and organizations specializing in medically fragile or special needs placements as well. Prospective adoptive families can learn more at https://cradle.org/adoption-services/.
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About The Cradle:
Celebrating 100 years of building families through adoption, The Cradle has facilitated more than 16,000 domestic and international adoptions since its opening in 1923. The organization has been a pioneer in open adoption, African American infant adoption, and placements with LGBTQ+ families. The Cradle remains the only adoption agency in the country with an on-site nursery providing 24-hour care for infants. Learn more at cradle.org or call 847-475-5800. For 24-hour toll-free HELPLINE assistance, call 800-CRADLE4 (800-272-3534).
