Adoption Social Worker Heather has worked in the field of adoption since 2006 and at CFS since 2008. She works with adoptive parents during the home study and post placement supervision phases. Heather holds a Bachelor degree in social work from Avila University and a Masters degree in social work from the University of Kansas. Her passion for adoption was…
Adoption Social Worker Nikki has been preparing families for adoption since 2004. She started out as a social work intern for an international adoption agency and just never left. Nikki is passionate about educating adoptive families about grief and loss issues, trans-racial parenting, and sharing their adoption stories. In 2008, Nikki began working for Christian Family Services of the Midwest,…
Office Manager Shelley Smith has worked for CFS since 1991 as the Office Manager. Organization is definitely her forte and yes she can, at times, be duly considered obsessive. Shelley is gratefully blessed to be an adoptive mom of an adult son who recently connected with his birth mother/family, which has been a wonderful experience for all concerned. In her…
Many questions probably come to mind when you consider building your family by adoption. While adoption has been around a long time, how it is practiced continues to evolve over time. We ultimately believe that God creates families and we are blessed to assist in that process. We are licensed in both Kansas and Missouri to place children into approved…
Christian Family Services of the Midwest, Inc. does not have an international adoption placement program but is experienced and happy to serve families in the international adoption process. Through over 40 years of adoption services to families, we have assisted many families through successful international adoption experiences. We have worked with many agencies nationwide who serve as primary providers and…
What is a Home Study and why do I need one? Although there are many ways for a child to join your family through adoption, a home study is always required. The home study involves a lot of paperwork and several interviews, including a visit to your home. Although it is not meant to feel intrusive, it is a thorough…
When I first found out I was pregnant, I felt terrified and alone, I felt as if I couldn’t trust anyone. At that time—1993—the only available resource to me, when I suspected pregnancy, was a phone book. After cracking the book open, I stumbled upon the Christian Family Services hotline and called as soon as my boss left for dinner break. The…
Christian Family Services was a beacon during one of the hardest times in my life. Choosing adoption for my baby was a life changing choice, and their advocacy and support helped bring peace and clarity to my decision. Christian Family Services and their counselors prepared me for every step of the journey by ensuring I was clear on legalities and…
I was almost 8 months pregnant when I first got in contact with Christian Family Services. I just got out of a bad and abusive relationship and was trying to get my life back on track after a long road. I wasn’t too sure or even fond of the idea of giving my baby girl up for adoption, but in…
You don’t have to face this alone. Unplanned or unintended pregnancies often bring feelings of uncertainty, fear, and confusion. We care about how you feel during this difficult time. It often helps to be able to talk about your feelings and how your decisions will influence your life, the life of your child, and others in a judgment-free, no-pressure environment.…