Adoption Center for Family Building (ACFB)
Adoption Center for Family Building (ACFB) is a private, nonprofit open adoption agency licensed in Illinois and Indiana. We provide a full range of adoption counseling and placement services to birth parents and adoptive parents. Our experienced counselors are dedicated to helping our clients get the guidance and support they need throughout their adoption journey.
The agency was founded in 1996 by Tobi Ehrenpreis and Maggie Gill Benz. Both licensed social workers and adoptive mothers, Tobi and Maggie combined their administrative and clinical expertise to establish the agency. ACFB was conceived to be a progressive alternative to traditional, faith-based adoption agencies.
While going through the adoption process themselves, both women encountered barriers along the way. They were committed to creating a more transparent and flexible agency to better meet the needs of everyone.
Services and information
- Adoption
- Other
Requirements to become a foster parent
Foster parents in Indiana have access to a variety of services and support. These services include:
Support Payments
As a foster parent, you will receive a daily payment from DCS to help cover the costs of caring for a foster child. The amount varies depending on the age and needs of the child, but payments start at $18.88/day.
Foster parents are also eligible for an initial clothing expense payment of up to $200.00 and an Annual Personal Allowance of up to $300.00 per child per year. This payment becomes available when the child has been in placement for at least eight days.
Additionally, DCS provides a Special Occasion Allowance of up to $50.00 on
child’s birthday and during the December holidays.
Medical and Dental Coverage
In Indiana, children in foster care are entitled to receive Medicaid coverage for their medical and dental needs.
However, it is the responsibility of the foster parents to schedule and attend all medical and dental appointments for the child. This means that foster parents must make sure that the child receives proper medical care and attends all necessary appointments to maintain their health and well-being.
Training and Support Groups
Foster parents have access to ongoing training and support groups to help them navigate the challenges of fostering. Support groups provide a space for foster parents to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of fostering.
Indiana Foster Care Statistics and Outcomes
Understanding the statistics and outcomes of foster care in Indiana can help you better understand the need for foster parents in the state.
As of 2021, there were over 13,000 children in foster care in Indiana. However, there are only 6,200 licensed foster parents. Most children in Indiana foster care are between ages 8 and 16. On average, they stayed an average of 14.3 months in foster care.
Sadly, children who exit foster care have a higher likelihood of experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration than their peers who did not experience foster care.
As a foster parent, you can help break this cycle. You could inspire troubled child to excel and reach their true potential.
Ratings and Reviews
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Jun 06, 2019
I have made calls to this agency and they were very fast on answering questions very welcoming and helpful and friendly very knowledgeable, this Agency will give you the best to look for in the nearest future 😇🙋♀️
Mar 02, 2017
We have worked twice with the Adoption Center for Family Building to grow our family and we could not be happier! The staff was extremely knowledgeable and compassionate at the same time. Also, if you are an expecting mother, please reach out to the Adoption Center for Family Building because they will be there to support you through your journey.
Jul 18, 2016
We had a great experience with ACFB adopting our twins. Everyone was very helpful and made sure everything went smoothly. They were always there to answer questions and guide you through.
Jul 10, 2016
Adoption center for family building is the best adoption agency in Illinois and Indiana . Their staff is very professional and caring . They really care about adoptive parents , birth parents and asoptees .Their resources are really top notch . I can't say enough how much they help adoptive families .
Jun 07, 2016
Used their services from the IL office twice both for International (home study) and Domestic adoptions. Wonderful experience both times. Very helpful through the whole process and always ready to help accommodate for special circumstances