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Since 1919, Community Services has been finding suitable adoptive
homes for children who have needed them. Over the years, services
have expanded to include assistance with international adoption,
adoption training, additional support to birth families, and
post finalization support to adoptive families.
MATERNITY SERVICES is dedicated to strengthening
individual and family life, especially among the unborn, youth,
and those living in poverty. As a respect life program, Maternity
Services is committed to unborn children and their families.
This commitment is evidenced through our work with mothers and
families who have a crisis or unplanned pregnancy. The staff
supports a mother from conception through birth and post-birth
to ensure that she is healthy and makes a plan for the child
and herself. The decision to relinquish a child for adoption
is not a condition for service. The option of parenting the
child is discussed thoroughly and information regarding various
community based services is provided. This enables the birth
parent to make a thoughtful, realistic plan with which they
are comfortable. The birth parent’s right to decide to
parent or place the child for adoption is fundamental to this
agency and the agency will assist in whatever plan is chosen
without judgment.
The agency provides individual counseling to birth parents,
their families and significant others. Assistance in securing
medical care, financial and housing services, and legal services
is provided. Birth parents who choose to make an adoption plan
have the opportunity to select a family they feel will best
meet the needs of their child. Additionally, the agency has
a small number of licensed foster homes who provide for the
care of the infant while preparations for the adoption are made.
ADOPTION SERVICE
The agency provides Family Assessments, Homestudies, adoption
preparation including training, post placement supervision for
infant adoption, international adoptions, and for special needs
adoptions. The agency receives temporary and permanent custody
of infants in preparation for adoption. Community Services is
a Cooperating Agency with Holt International Children Services
of Eugene, Oregon, and works with many other international adoption
agencies. Children from China, Russia, Romania, Philippines,
Vietnam, India, and Korea have been placed with our families.
Special needs adoptions are also done and involve children who
may have physical, behavioral or emotional problems, may be
part of a sibling group, or may be over the age of six.
PARENTING SERVICES
Community Services provides counseling and case management to
parents who wish to raise their children but are experiencing
difficulties in doing so. The goal of the service is to protect
and promote family integrity through economic self-sufficiency.
The Parenting Program is also available to assist families who
have adopted and are experiencing adjustment and developmental
problems related to the adoption.
ELIGIBILITY
All single or expectant parents who reside or work in the counties
of Stark, Portage, Summit and Tuscarawas are eligible for Maternity
and Parenting services. Adopting couples and individuals may
reside in these and other counties.
Counseling Program
Community & School Outreach Program
Consultation, Education & Prevention Program
Pyramid Training Services
Maternity/Adoption/Parenting Service Programs
Rape Crisis & Sexual Assault Services
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