CSS Agencies

StepanovR

 After reading a previous post, now I'm considering a Catholic Social Service Agency.

Do you have to be Catholic to use these? Do you have to use one in the state you reside in?  Do you have to find a seperate attorney?

GulfCoaster

You shouldn't have to be Catholic to use them.  I know several people in my area who've adopted through Catholic Charities and are not Catholic.  As for the other questions, I don't really know since we are not doing DA. 

jewele803

We used Catholic Family Center (same idea, just diff name in my area). They have no religous requirements at all!  We used the agency right in our own town.  We did have to find a seperate attorney, but were provided with a list of attorney that other families had used successfully. 

KarlsSweetie05

The ones we talked to, you do NOT have to be Catholic.  You can practice any religion or even be agnostic. 

FallsToClimb

My understanding of CSS is that each one is run independantly, so they may have their own requirements.  With that said, every one that I've heard of does not require you to be Catholic.  In fact, at the one that we met with in our area, I don't think the SW's were Catholic either! 

Deb306

We used Catholic Social Services for the adoption of our son and are now using them again for the adoption of our second child.  No, you do not have to be Catholic to use them.  We used the one in our state, but I don't know if you have to or not.  We used the attorney that our social worker recommended, but we did not have to.  We had a wonderful experience the first time and hopefully will this time.  Good luck to you!