Introduction
The following is an outline of the information available about our
Illinois Pregnancy Support Services. Many of your questions will be
answered, but if you have other questions, please call us at
630-653-6400 and ask for the PSS Supervisor or Intake Worker.
A.
Agency History
B.
Synopsis/Philosophy
C.
Description of Services
D.
Basic Eligibility Criteria
E.
Summary of Pregnancy Support Services Practices
F.
Illinois Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act
G.
Fees
H.
Complaint Process
Agency History
In 1946, a young woman abandoned a baby girl in a Campbell's soup box at
the women's dormitory of Moody Bible Institute. What was going through
this young mother's thoughts as she walked away? It is clear that she
cared deeply enough for her baby to bring her to a Christian agency that
would help provide care for her. It is sad that this mother may have
never received emotional care or options counseling to inform her of
parenting and adoption choices.
From the time of its inception, ECFA has placed great emphasis on
counseling and providing care to individuals, couples and families
dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. Years ago, many of these young
women would choose adoption because single parenting was not considered
acceptable due to society's stigma. Over the years, the tide has turned,
and single parenting is seen as a viable option for many people faced
with an unplanned pregnancy. Pregnancy Support Services was established
out of the need to provide free, professional counseling to women,
couples, and families to better inform, educate and equip them to make
the best possible decisions for themselves and their babies.
The vision statement of ECFA states: "We provide compassionate
Christ-centered services, offering hope and healing to children, adults
and families."
Evangelical Child and Family Agency (ECFA) is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit,
Child Welfare Agency licensed by the state of Illinois Department of
Children and Family Services (Child Welfare License #006726-10.) All of
the services of ECFA, are accredited by the
Council on
Accreditation of Services for Children and Families (COA). ECFA is
affiliated with the following organizations:
ECFA provides services at several locations in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Wisconsin service sites are located in New Berlin and Green Bay.
Wisconsin residents can learn about the Wisconsin Pregnancy Support
Services program at
www.ecfawisc.org,
or by calling 262-789-1881. Illinois service sites are located in
Wheaton (the corporate office) and Chicago. Pregnancy
Support Services staff in Illinois are located at both the Wheaton and
Chicago offices. The Wheaton office phone number is 630-653-6400;
the fax number is 630-653-6490; the Chicago office phone number
is 773-523-6200. ECFA's web site is located at
www.evancfa.org. Pregnancy Support
Services web site is located at
www.pregsupport.org.
The information described on this web site will provide helpful guidance
for persons seeking support in addressing an unplanned pregnancy.
Reading it over may help you to determine whether or not you might be
interested in contacting Pregnancy Support Services. Please call if we
can be of assistance to you or someone you know.
Synopsis/Philosophy
Mission Statement
The Mission Statement of Evangelical Child and Family Agency includes
the following statements: "Protect and nurture neglected and dependent
children" and "strengthen the quality of life for individuals and
families."
Consistent with those statements, Pregnancy Support Services is
dedicated to serving, from a pro-life perspective, individuals
experiencing unplanned pregnancies. Services include counseling,
housing, and medical referrals. Counseling is geared around the
pregnancy, but also relates to the overall emotional functioning of the
client.
Philosophy of Service
When a pregnancy occurs, many changes and stressors lie ahead. This is
magnified when the pregnancy is unplanned. Individuals in this situation
benefit from talking with an objective counselor who has information
regarding their options and the community services available. Pregnancy
Support Services provides professional counseling to individuals,
couples (married or unmarried), and families experiencing an unplanned
pregnancy. The expectant parents can then develop a child care plan that
is best for the child.
The PSS team strongly believes in client self-determination. Each client
is helped to decide what she feels is best for herself and her child,
given her unique circumstances. The PSS team will inform, educate, and
support her throughout the process of decision-making.
Parenting: If an individual decides to parent her child, the PSS team
will help prepare her for the challenges and joys of that decision. The
PSS worker will offer education on infant development, parenting and
discipline approaches, and help her manage co-parenting and relationship
issues with the birth father or grandparents, should they arise. It is
our desire that each client who parents, receives the tools to parent
effectively.
Adoption: If an individual chooses adoption for her child, the PSS
worker will help her develop an adoption plan that she is comfortable
with. This may involve the selection of an adoptive family, the degree
of openness that she desires, and emotional preparation for the
adoption. Grief counseling is provided after the child has been placed
for adoption. It is our hope that each client who places her child for
adoption, will do the important emotional work of grieving the loss of
her child, so that she can experience peace related to this decision.
For more information on adoption, click here.
Staff
The staff of ECFA's Pregnancy Support Services program are all
professional, compassionate women, who care deeply about pregnant women,
children, couples and families. They believe that through tough times
such as unplanned pregnancies, women become stronger, more mature, and
exhibit incredible self-sacrifice through both options of adoption or
parenting. Our staff has over 20 years of experience in working with
pregnant women and is committed to working with individuals and families
in crisis. All of the staff are Master's level professionals, many of
whom have achieved the optimal state license for their profession. Our
staff of two full-time and two part-time PSS workers have the expertise
to assist women, couples or families to develop a well thought out plan
for themselves and the baby.
Description of
Services
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The PSS Program offers four specific types of services: |
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Professional Counseling:
Counseling is offered in relation to all aspects of the
pregnancy. This includes help with decisions regarding the baby,
use of community resources, establishing educational and
vocational goals, issues related to self-esteem, grief, and
problems in family relationships. |
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Housing: The client's living
arrangement is assessed by the PSS worker and client. For those
needing living arrangements, available options include PSS
housing and local maternity housing programs. PSS homes for
expectant mothers are specifically studied, trained by ECFA, and
licensed by the State of Illinois. They are supervised by the
PSS program. The client is usually in the home for the duration
of the pregnancy and for a short time (about 2 weeks) after
delivery. For clients who are not eligible for or
interested in PSS housing, PSS has positive relationships with
other programs in the Chicago area. The PSS worker will make
appropriate referrals, as needed. |
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Medical and Health Services:
The PSS worker will assist each client in arranging for
pre-natal, hospital, and post-partum care for the client and
child. PSS may also refer for child birth classes, Public Aid,
and Women, Infant & Children (WIC). If needed, PSS is able to
offer free pregnancy testing at the Wheaton and Evergreen Park
offices. |
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Child Care Plan: The PSS team
helps to educate each client about available options, and
assists the client in developing an appropriate plan for the
child. PSS provides free, short-term care (usually up to two
weeks) in baby care homes if a client has not yet made a
decision regarding the child, or if a client needs extra time to
prepare for parenting. These homes may also be used as part of
an adoption process. More information on each option is provided
below: |
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Parenting: If a
client is interested in parenting her child, the PSS worker will
provide education on the following: personal growth and
maturity; interpersonal relationships; early childhood
development; infant stimulation and cognitive development;
safety and accident prevention; physical care; nutrition and
health of infants and young children; signs and symptoms of
child abuse and neglect; budget and household management; and
community resources that provide further assistance. The amount
and type of information given varies with each situation. |
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Adoption Plan: When the client's
choice for her child is adoption, the worker will help the
client in preparing for a range of issues such as grieving the
loss and legal issues. The PSS worker will help the client
decide what type of adoption she desires regarding future
contact (also referred to as openness). In most situations, the
client will select the adoptive family from several adoptive
family profiles provided to her. (Samples
of Family Profiles). In the last trimester, the client and
the prospective adoptive family may choose to meet to become
better acquainted with one another. Subsequent visits may occur
prior to birth or while client and baby are still in the
hospital, or at the time of placement. The client and the
adoptive family, along with the involvement of the PSS worker
and adoption worker, will develop an Openness Agreement based
upon each party's desires regarding continued contact. ECFA has
a Post-Legal Adoption Worker who specializes in helping the
adoptive triad stay connected in the future. |
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Abortion: As a Christian
organization, the PSS team is committed to assisting women who
are facing unplanned pregnancies in carrying their pregnancy to
full-term. Abortion is seen as a destructive and painful
decision that is often made out of desperation, based only on
the needs of the parent. By coming along side women dealing with
unplanned pregnancies, PSS seeks to provide hope and light in
this often dark and lonely time. For women who have chosen
abortion, the PSS team wants to extend compassion and God's
forgiveness by offering individual or group support, through the
use of a post-abortion Bible study and counseling.
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In order to assist clients comprehensively, the
workers may refer clients to agencies within the community who
can provide support groups, as well as legal, employment, and
vocational services. |
Basic Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility requirements for utilizing Pregnancy Support Services
through ECFA are the following:
Residence: Clients must live in Illinois within a
50-mile radius of our offices. This generally includes persons living in
the Illinois counties of Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane,
Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle (west of I-39), McHenry, Ogle, and
Will.
Spiritual Affiliation: There is no spiritual or
religious requirement for being part of the PSS program. The PSS social
workers are evangelical Christians, who practice their counseling from
this perspective. At the same time, PSS believes in client
self-determination and respects the client's level of interest, or
possibly no interest, in spiritual matters.
Age: Women of all ages are eligible for services. Any
client under the age of 18, who is seeking services, will be required to
obtain parent or guardian written permission to meet with a PSS worker
more than four times.
Marital Status: Married and unmarried couples as well
as single women and men often find great value in the PSS services and
are eligible to receive services.
Health: The primary requirement for services is that
the woman is pregnant or believes that she is. Once a pregnancy is
confirmed, the worker will assist the woman in obtaining medical care
for the duration of the pregnancy and post-partum care.
Cost for Services: All services through the PSS program
are provided free of charge.
Summary of Pregnancy Support Services
Practices
Process for Obtaining Services:
Clients become aware of Pregnancy Support Services through many sources,
such as crisis pregnancy centers, physicians, human service agencies,
clergy, and this web site.
The process begins with a phone call, e-mail message, or a face-to-face
visit. After learning about the program, an appointment will be set up
with a PSS worker. An appointment is made with the client at the
earliest available time, since the client may be anxious to speak with
someone.
The initial session is held at location of the client's choice. The PSS
worker will further explain services, and will give the client an
opportunity to ask questions and describe her circumstances. The worker
will assist with any urgent needs. The client will also complete
application materials at this time.
Confidentiality is a critical aspect of our services. All information
obtained through counseling will be held strictly confidential. No
information will be released to any other party unless the client has
given explicit consent by signing a release form. All PSS workers are
considered Mandated Reporters by the State of Illinois, and are required
to report any cases of suspected abuse or neglect. Such a report may be
made with or without the client's permission.
Professional Counseling:
In an effort to meet the emotional, spiritual, and social needs of the
clients, PSS provides free professional counseling to help the clients
manage their pregnancy and the decision-making surrounding it. The
services are available to the pregnant woman, the father of the baby,
and others who are closely involved in their lives. When appropriate,
the worker will include these people in services.
The person experiencing an unplanned pregnancy is faced with many
decisions throughout the pregnancy. The most crucial decisions involves
the future of the child. The PSS worker does not make this decision for
the client, but rather helps her to consider the alternatives and decide
what would be best for both the child and the client. See the
education section for further explanation.
Recognizing that the pregnancy can be the result of many factors and
difficulties, exploration of other issues and goals may also be
beneficial during this time. Regaining self-esteem, developing
strengths, and the promotion of healthy thinking are matters which can
be explored in an effort that leads to a more positive and satisfying
life.
Education:
An important part of services involves educational preparation
for parenting or placing for adoption. Throughout counseling the worker
will educate the client about the primary options of parenting and
adoption. Whether a client has decided to parent or place for adoption,
the worker will help prepare her for that experience.
Parenting: For clients who plan to parent their child, much time and
energy is spent helping them prepare. All parents want to be the best
parents they can, so the worker helps educate them about what it takes
to be a good, consistent and nurturing parent. Some clients have not
been parented well themselves, so this may be very new information for
them. Areas of specific education include: child birth techniques, early
childhood development, basic baby care, post-partum self-care and
depression, discipline for small children, stress management, budgeting,
goal setting, and identifying and using community resources.
Adoption: For those who have decided adoption is the preferred option,
there is much emotional preparatory work to do prior to the baby's
birth. The grieving process begins shortly after making the decision to
place a child for adoption. The PSS worker will educate the client
regarding the stages of grief and help prepare the client for the
hospital experience. With proper written consent, the PSS worker will
notify the hospital of the planned adoption so that the staff will be
more sensitive to the client's needs during her hospital stay.
After the birth of the baby, the worker will again discuss the decision
to place the child for adoption and ascertain whether or not adoptive
placement is still the preferred plan. The worker will also educate the
client on openness in adoption, which allows for the possibility of a
continued relationship between the adoptive family, the adopted child,
and the birth parents after the adoption is finalized. The degree of
openness varies and no two adoptions are alike. One aspect of openness
involves the client choosing the adoptive family by viewing adoptive
family profiles and later meeting this family. See
Parent Profiles.
Duration of Services:
PSS services are available throughout the pregnancy and up to six months
after delivery. The purpose of this post-delivery time is to help the
client transition to and understand the new role of active parent or as
a birth parent of an adopted child. The objective during this time is to
help the client confront any major hurdles and help prepare her for life
after PSS services are discontinued. If, at the close of services, the
client still needs added supports and counseling, the PSS worker will
provide her with referrals to other services.
Illinois Abandoned Newborn Infant
Protection Act
Illinois Law provides for the legal abandonment of newborn infants by
the mother. If you are pregnant and considering abandoning your baby,
you can do so without any questions being asked, and in a manner that
helps to protect the welfare of the infant. Within seven days after the
birth of the baby, you can bring your baby to a staffed fire station,
staffed police station, or hospital emergency room. Arrangements will
then be made to place the baby with an approved adoptive family. You do
have a choice! You may go to the
State of Illinois web page and read about it.
Fees
All services provided by the Pregnancy Support Services program are
provided free of charge. The PSS worker will assist the client in making
arrangements for payment of medical expenses through third party
services such a Public Aid, if she is eligible. The medical expenses of
children placed for adoption are usually the responsibility of the
adoptive parents following placement.
Complaint Process
The following complaint process applies to all services in the Illinois
District - Adoptions, Counseling, Family Preservation Services, Foster
Care and Pregnancy Support Services:
1. This complaint procedure will be provided in written form to
prospective clients before they sign any agreement to receive services
or pay any fees.
2. A copy of this policy and procedure will be signed and dated by the
client and maintained in ECFAÕs client file. Copies will also be given
to clients. If the client's primary language is Spanish, a copy will be
provided in Spanish.
3. Evangelical Child and Family Agency (ECFA) will initiate an
investigation of written complaints within two (2) business days of
receiving the written complaint. Clients with special needs who require
assistance putting their complaint into writing shall be provided with
assistance by an agency staff person or another individual of the
client's choice.
4. ECFA will maintain written documentation of all complaints received.
5. The complaint investigation will be finalized within ten (10)
business days after the complaint is received. The resolution/report
shall be sent, in writing by regular mail, to the complaining party. For
clients who have any DCFS involvement, a copy will be sent to agency's
DCFS regional licensing office or licensing representative. If
extenuating circumstances require additional time for resolution, an
interim report shall still be provided to the complaining party and to
DCFS (if applicable) at the 10-day point. The interim report shall
include the reason for the delay and an estimated completion date of the
investigation and response. The interim report to DCFS (if applicable)
shall include a copy of the written complaint. A final report shall be
provided to the same parties when completed.
6. ECFA will not retaliate against complainants in any manner.
7. ECFA has designated the following management-level staff persons to
accept and coordinate the response to complaints: Director of Child
Welfare Services (for Family Preservation and Foster Care clients) and
Director of Clinical Services (for Adoption, Counseling and Pregnancy
Support Services clients.) The phone number is 630 653-6400; the e mail
address is
mail@evancfa.org.
8. The written complaint and Agency response will be reviewed by the
Agency's Social Service Committee. The resolution of all complaints,
including the copies of complaints and responses will be reported to the
Agency's Board of Directors at the next meeting following completion of
the final report. The reports of complaint resolutions that are made to
the committee and Board will be noted in the minutes of the respective
meetings.
Questions about the above procedure may be directed to the Director of
Child Welfare Services or Director of Clinical Services.
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Pregnancy Support Services is a program of
Evangelical Child and Family Agency |
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