Catholic Charities is a non-profit agency. Thus, our services are not commercial, nor are we motivated by  profit.  On the other hand, Catholic Charities agencies are licensed, child-placing agencies who provide a moral and valuable service to Kansas communities.  When people enter our agency programs, they gain the advantages of respectability, continuity, broader connections, supervision, and support services.  

With these advantages come the responsibilities of covering overhead expenses.  By spreading these expenses and other exceptional expenditures (travel, aid to expectant families, etc) across the entire pool of families, no single family faces the prospect of an extraordinarily expensive adoption.
The agency adoption fee does not exceed $15,000, and we break it down into more manageable bites throughout the adoption process, as indicated below. Each payment is due prior to the service being rendered.
Pre-Consultation
  • Consultation with Adoption Social Worker
  • ​Orientation to the Catholic Charities Adoption Program
No Cost
Application Fees
  • Formal Application submitted to agency
  • Orientation to open adoption program is provided
  • Case file is opened
  • Background checks and fingerprints are completed
  • References are obtained.
$350 / couple
(Plus $75 for each additional family member over the age of 10)
Preparation & Education
  • Complete online education
  • Complete and submit all forms required by the agency
  • Engagement with potential birthparents
  • Other education as recommended by the adoption social worker
  • Begin working on online profile
$500
Pre-Placement or Home Study
  • Four to six interviews with adoption social worker (individual and couple)
  • Physical walk through of couple's home
  • Complete other education requirements as recommended by social worker
  • Copy of home study is provided to adoptive couple when completed
$1,000
Guidance, Marketing & Support
  • Access to adoption staff for questions, concerns and support
  • Finalize online profile
  • Agency marketing assistance on behalf of adoptive couple
  • Provide information on tax credits, loans, grants, etc
$2,700
Placement of Child
Upon the completion of the services listed above, a prospective adoptive family will have paid a total of $4550 prior to placement of a child in the home. 
  • Supporting documents needed for adoption finalization are provided to attorney/family.
  • Support at hospital for birth and adoptive parents
  • Support after placement for birth and adoptive parents
  • Relinquishments signed
  • Post placement visits completed monthly until adoption is finalized.
  • Ongoing guidance and support for the child, birth and adoptive parents.
At the time a child is placed in your home, placement fees (8% of your gross income, as noted on your most recent Income Tax Return) is due. Please note the minimum and maximum total includes the $4550.00 already paid. The cap for agency adoption fees is $15,000.00.
8% of gross income
(min $6,000 to max of $10,450, including $4550 already paid above.)
Additional Costs
​(not assessed by agencies)
  • Legal Fees - covers attorney fees to file adoption petition, and represent the adoptive family in court.
  • Medical Expenses - covers expectant mother and baby expenses that are not covered by the expectant mother's insurance. These  will be determined when you have been informed about the expectant mother who has chosen you, and her situation; paid to hospital when it is due after birth. 
  • Living Expenses - These  will be determined when you have been informed about the expectant mother who has chosen you, and her situation. 
Variable
Payments must be up to date to proceed to the next level and for your profile to be shown. This amount does not include attorney fees or any medical expenses that could occur. Catholic Charities does not assume responsibility for incidental expenses (travel, lodging, meals, baby sitting, medical, filing fees, time lost from work, etc.) prospective adoptive parents may encounter while moving through the adoption experience. The adoptive parents are responsible for any medical expenses associated with the birth of the baby that is not covered by insurance. The agency will assist with efforts to file with insurance providers whenever possible. Please note that the adoptive fees are paid to support the agency's adoption program, and should not be understood as a guarantee that a child will be placed with the prospective adoptive family.

Financial Assistance
Adoption Credit and Assistance Programs
According to the IRS, tax benefits for adoption include both a tax credit for qualified adoption expenses paid to adopt an eligible child and an exclusion from income for employer-provided adoption assistance. The credit is nonrefundable, which means it is limited to your tax liability for the year. However, any credit in excess of your tax liability may be carried forward for up to five years. The maximum dollar amount in 2015 was $13,400 per child. 
HelpUsAdopt.org Grant Application
Founded in 2007, HelpUsAdopt.org is a national 501c3 nonprofit financial assistance program that provides couples and individuals grants to help pay their adoption expenses. Families must include a valid home study and a copy of their tax return with their completed application and personal statement. If a grant is awarded, funds are released to adoption professionals, adoption lawyers and adoption agencies when an invoice is due. ​
Gift of Adoption Fund
The Gift of Adoption Fund is a private family giving foundation that was founded in 1996 with the sole purpose of helping children get adopted. Their mission is to "fill the void that separates child from family--through adoption assistance grants that give vulnerable children a permanent home and the chance to thrive.
God's Grace Adoption Ministry
God’s Grace Adoption Ministry, Inc., established in 1998, is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping place children into forever families. GGAM works in cooperation with adoption agencies to assist with the family’s financial needs. GGAM seeks to help Christian families overcome the financial burden of adopting children.
National Adoption Foundation
The National Adoption Foundation is dedicated to providing financial support for adoptive families in order to assist them in the successful adoption of children. Committed to improving each child’s chance of becoming part of a loving family, the Foundation’s programs are available to any family whether they are adopting a child domestically, abroad or from foster care.
The Cade Foundation
The Cade Foundation provides information, support and financial assistance to help needy infertile families overcome infertility. The Cade Foundation provides education focused programs to share info about different pathways to parenthood throughout the nation, as well as grants to help families with the costs of adoption and fertility treatment.
National Adoption Foundation
The Buescher Foundation offers the support and resources that families need to help them through the adoption process. Families that are adopting domestically and have been approved by an agency or facilitator can apply for a grant. There is no income requirement. There is an application that you will submit along with a home study, a "look book" that tells the story of your family and proof that you are working with an agency or facilitator. The Buescher Foundation Adoption Board meets and awards grants quarterly.
National Adoption Foundation
Katelyn’s Fund strives to bring orphan awareness to others, provide emotional and prayer support to families, and assist Christian families with $3000 grants towards the high cost of adoption. If you are chosen for an interview, it will be done in person, or via conference call within 45 days of child being placed your home with a domestic placement, or before final travel with an international placement. Priority is given to families who make less than $100,000. Incomplete files are not reviewed.
Military Adoption Benefits
Military adoption benefits for active duty families include up to $2000 reimbursement for adoption expenses (up to a total of $5000 if more than one child is adopted) per calendar year; up to 21 days of adoption leave to bond with your new child, and health care benefits before the adoption is final. In the case of a dual military couple, only one member may claim expenses for each adopted child. To claim reimbursement for adoption, be sure to submit a DD Form 2675 no later than one year after the adoption is final.
Employer-Provided Adoption Benefits
Employer-Provided adoption benefits for adoptive families continue to be a growing trend. Each year, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption honors the best companies of every size and industry that offer adoption benefits for employees. For these top adoption-friendly workplaces, benefits average out to about $8000 in financial reimbursement, five weeks in paid leave, and more. Ask your employer about what benefits and financial assistance they offer to support adoptive families.
Note: these resources may change at any time. Refer to each of the individual resources listed above for specific information & eligibility requirements.