Our Services
Options Counseling
Your counselor will be there to help you weigh all of your options and can meet with you at a location of your choosing. There services are provided at no cost.
Parenting Support
We can help you consider parenting your child and can make referrals to community resources such as housing, transportation, health care or substance abuse treatment if needed.
Adoption Plan
As your local adoption agency, we can help you learn more about adoption if you are interested in exploring an adoption plan for your child.
Interim Care
The Cradle can provide interim care services to care for you child while thinking through all of your options. The Cradle works with Maryville, a trusted local child and family service agency, to provide 24/7 care.
Ongoing Support
If you choose an adoption plan, we can provide post-adoption support through our licensed counselors.
Why Choose The Cradle
A positive pregnancy test can be overwhelming when the pregnancy is unplanned. While you may feel alone during this difficult time, we are here to help you explore your options. The Cradle is a more than 100-year-old licensed adoption agency (just north of Chicago) serving all of Illinois and Indiana, offering free, non-judgmental and confidential support to people experiencing an unplanned pregnancy or adjusting to life with a newborn. Our experienced and compassionate counselors provide information and support to empower people like you to decide what is best for themselves, their children and their families.
Our compassionate counselors help expectant and new parents explore all of their options, recognizing that everyone’s situation is different. This might include the option to parent, understanding what resources might be available to assist in ongoing parenting. If you are considering adoption, we can also discuss this with you. Adoption is a loving option but also an option that can bring feelings of sadness and loss. If you choose adoption, we aim to provide you with counseling and support to help you through the decision and after. At The Cradle, we do not believe anyone is “giving up” a baby for adoption in the sense that they are giving up on their child; rather, parents who choose adoption do so because they believe it is the best path forward for their child.
How to Get Started
It’s never too early or too late to reach out to us. When you’re ready, we can set up a time for you to meet with one of our counselors, at a place convenient for you.
Call toll free 24/7
Text us
Once you reach out, a Cradle Counselor can help you explore all your options related to the pregnancy. Your counselor will not pressure you into choosing adoption. Instead, your Cradle Counselor’s goal is simple: to make sure you understand all your options, rights and responsibilities. We can help you consider parenting your child and explore resources or make referrals to resources that can assist in your parenting. Your counselor can also give you more information about adoption, to help you think about how an adoption plan would work and how it might feel for you.
How Does Adoption Work
Options Counseling
Choosing an Adoptive Family
Making a Final Decision
Support When You Need It
Answers to Common Questions
What is options counseling?
Cradle Counselors are available to talk with you about your options and will not pressure you into choosing adoption. Instead, your Cradle Counselor’s goal is simple: to make sure you understand all your options, rights and responsibilities. If you decide that adoption is not the right plan, your counselor will support you in that decision. Learn more about your options.
The Cradle’s services are free of charge to expectant parents and parents of newborns.
We have counselors and case workers available to meet where the expectant parents feel comfortable. We have offices in Evanston, Illinois, and Merrillville, Indiana. Or, we can also meet you at a place that’s convenient to you such as a coffee shop, a library or a restaurant.
How does adoption with The Cradle work?
At The Cradle, our counselors can support you through this critical time with privacy and respect.
What resources are available related to pregnancy and adoption?
We have reviewed a number of resources related to pregnancy and adoption and consider these some of the best we are aware of.
What if I need temporary care for my baby?
The Cradle works with Maryville, a trusted local child and family service agency, to care for babies while parents are thinking through all of their options. You may wish to use this temporary care service while working with a Cradle Counselor. The professional staff at Maryville will provide 24/7 care of your baby. And, of course, you can visit and call for updates. The Cradle and Maryville work together to ensure that babies receive high quality care.
Can I request information for someone else?
Are you in a position to help someone who is considering adoption for their child? You can provide support by listening without judgment, helping them explore their plans, being honest about your ability to contribute to a parenting situation, and help them access medical care or other services.
Regardless of age, the baby’s parents are the only people able to make legal decisions for the baby, including a voluntary adoption plan. Our counselors encourage the expectant parents to engage their family and other support people in their decision-making.
If you have questions about adoption, please call our Helpline at 800-CRADLE4 (800-272-3534) or email helpline@cradle.org. Our staff can answer your general questions or consult about a specific situation. Services at The Cradle are confidential, and therefore we can only share specific information when the expectant parent has given us permission.
Hear Lisa's experience working with The Cradle
Meet Our Hopeful Families
Michael & Jordan’s Adoption Story: A Journey to Togetherness
Hi, we’re Michael and Jordan! Thank you for considering us as potential parents for your child.
Contact the Cradle
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To speak to someone now, call our 24-hour hotline: (800) 272-3534 or text us at (312) 800-1559 (answered 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.)."*" indicates required fields
