Adoption and Infant Foster Care
At Catholic Charities, we’ve been helping to create Forever Families since 1920. Our adoption staff serves the ten counties of the Milwaukee Archdiocese.
As you move through the adoption process, consider an agency that can help you navigate the challenging, and at times complicated, process of adoption. We understand the uncertainty, anxiety, and excitement that you may be feeling as you seek to open your heart and your home to a child.
Catholic Charities is a fully licensed Child Placing Agency, and can help with the following types of adoption:
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Domestic Adoption
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Independent Adoption
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Interstate Adoption
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Relative Adoption
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Step Parent Adoption
We encourage open adoption, and believe that adoption is a lifelong process that involves the needs and interests of the child, the birth parents, and the adoptive parents.
Our Process
Orientation: Attend an individual orientation meeting with one of our adoption workers, who will answer your questions and provide detailed information about our services
Home Study: Home Studies consist of a background check, individual interviews, and a tour of your home.
Portfolio: Once you have been approved for adoption, you will be asked to complete a portfolio consisting of pictures and stories on your family to share with birth parents who are selecting an adoptive family.
Placement: When a birth parent goes through the selection process, they may request a face to face meeting with multiple families. Once a match is made, a plan will be developed for placement and adoption.
For more information, please contact:
Megan Struve, MSW, APSW
Child Welfare Director
2021 N. 60th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53208-1641
414-771-2881 Ext. 4123
mstruve@ccmke.org
Kami Needham, MSW, APSW
Adoption Worker
414-771-2881 Ext. 4125
kneedham@ccmke.org
Nancy Morsovillo, CSW, MSW, APSW
Adoption Worker
414-771-2881 Ext. 4152
nmorsovillo@ccmke.org
Individual adoption information sessions are available. Call 414-771-2881 to set up an appointment.
Clients Served: Adoption is a lifelong process that involves the needs and interests of three sets of people: the child, the birth parents and the adoptive parents.
Fees for Services: Orientation sessions are provided without charge.
Adoption fees vary based on services completed for each specific situation.
Service Area: Throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
View the 7 Facts you should know about Adoption.
View our Adoption Services brochure.
Catholic Charities is licensed by the State of Wisconsin as a Child Placing Agency.
Nyla Jane, a Christmas Miracle
Adoption can be a long and tedious process, or it can unfold in a matter of days – in a wonderfully beautiful way. This is the story of a true Christmas miracle, little Nyla Jane.
Megan Struve, Catholic Charities’ Child Welfare Director, received a phone call on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 from a pregnant mom looking to place her ‘soon to be born’ baby for adoption. Although “Anesha” had initially contacted Catholic Charities early on in her pregnancy, she chose not to be actively involved until just days before her scheduled due date. Megan went to the birth mom’s apartment that evening and they talked at length about the adoption process. Anesha completed the required medical history paperwork and gave her consent to proceed with the adoption.
She then spent time viewing the different photo portfolios that the agency’s prospective adoptive parents had compiled. The portfolios provide birth mothers a glimpse of the prospective parents lives, helping them envision what family life would be like for their child.
“Anesha kept going back to April and Jeff’s portfolio,” shared Megan. “She was looking at all their family photos and really liked the fact that this couple had dogs.” The couple, who reside in Big Bend, began their adoption journey in February of 2011. In August, after they completed a home study and were approved for adoption, they submitted their adoption portfolio – a colorful album with photos of April and Jeff’s wedding, family outings, a variety of activities, and a full page devoted to their two dogs, a black lab and a red lab bloodhound mix.
On Thursday, December 22nd, Anesha called Megan with her final decision in the open adoption process. She had chosen April and Jeff to parent her child, however, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to meet them face-to-face. The birth mother asked for direct placement with the new parents, so that her child would not have to spend time in foster care while waiting the required six months for finalization of the adoption.
Megan quickly called April at work to share the exciting news. “While Megan was talking I just kept writing on a notepad at my desk – We’re getting a baby! We’re getting a baby! We’re getting a baby!” shared April. “I couldn’t wait to get off the line and call Jeff with the news!” At 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve Anesha was admitted to a Racine hospital. She called Megan and asked her to invite April and Jeff to come to the hospital, since they would be her baby’s new parents. After a quick call to the couple, Megan traveled to the hospital and all met in Anesha’s room. Megan, April and Jeff visited with her for nearly an hour, and when the attending physician said it was time, they were all invited into the delivery room. At 10:40 p.m. a beautiful and healthy little Nyla Jane was born.
“It was amazing to be present for Nyla’s birth,” said Jeff, “April and I were even able to cut the umbilical cord.” Within five minutes they were in another room with the baby and stayed with Nyla overnight. The birth mom stopped by the next day to say goodbye to Nyla, April, and Jeff. A photo of Anesha, April, Jeff and baby Nyla was taken, to share with Nyla when she is older. 
“We are just so thrilled,” beamed April. “We love Nyla so much – this adoption has truly been a blessing!”
April and Jeff have embraced being a multi-racial family and are educating themselves about how to raise Nyla with full knowledge of her culture. They feel well prepared and have a strong circle of support in their family and friends. “It’s amazing how many people we run into who are also adoptive parents – co-workers, friends at church – and all are very helpful and supportive,” said April. The family plans to have Nyla Jane baptized at their home parish, St. Joseph in Big Bend, later this Fall, after the adoption is finalized.