The Cradle

At The Cradle you will find a legacy of excellence, decades of experience, and a reputation for quality education that helps to inform adoption decisions. Renowned as one of the foremost adoption agencies in the country, since opening in 1923 The Cradle has helped place more than 15,000 children into permanent, loving homes. We provide lifelong support for all who are touched by adoption -- birthparents, adopted persons, and adoptive parents. The Cradle is the only adoption agency in the country with an on-site nursery. It's a safe, neutral place for infants to stay while their parents take the time they need to decide if adoption will be the plan for this child. The nursery also enables The Cradle to place infants whose special medical needs may mean that it takes a bit longer to find them a home that is prepared to help them thrive. We are committed to finding a loving home for every child entrusted to our care. In recent years, The Cradle has expanded our scope to include Adoption Learning Partners (ALP), online training for prospective adoptive parents and adoption professionals. Through the power of the internet, ALP has made The Cradle's thorough training convenient and accessible to professionals and families all across the globe. The Cradle connects Cradle friends and families through Facebook and Twitter. The Cradle is licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and The Indiana Department of Child Services. Our Illinois license ID is 005064. Our Indiana license number is 53866.

Domestic Adoption Process: Step 1: Attend a General Adoption Information Meeting. Step 2: Paperwork and Fees. Step 3: Initial consultation with adoption counselor. Step 4: Home study process. Step 5: Create your Dear Birthparent letter. Step 6: Match meeting. Step 7: Placement, Step 8: Post-placement follow-up and support; African American Adoption Process: Step 1: Attend a General Adoption Information Meeting. Step 2: Paperwork and Fees. Step 3: Initial consultation with adoption counselor. Step 4: Home study process. Step 5: Create your Dear Birthparent letter. Step 6: Match meeting. Step 7: Placement. Step 8: Post-placement follow-up and support; International Adoption Process: Step 1: Attend an Adoption Information meeting. Step 2: Paperwork and fees. Step 3: Initial consultation with adoption counselor. Step 4: Adoption home study process. Step 5: Choose your anticipated child's country-of-origin. Step 6: Dossier. Step 7: Referral. Step 8: Travel to your child's country of origin for placement. Step 9: Celebrate your new arrival. Step 10: Post-placement visits and follow-up support.