About
Illinois law provides a way for adoptees, adoptive parents, birth parents, and other birth relatives to connect.
The Confidential Intermediary Service of Illinois strives to provide you with accurate information and service throughout the process. We want to help you feel understood and supported.
founded in 1992
Midwest Adoption Center is a not-for-profit organization providing a wide range of services to individuals touched by adoption.
MAC proudly facilitates the Confidential Intermediary Service of Illinois under contract with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS).
Whether you are inquiring about service for the first time, have a case in progress, or were contacted by us on behalf of a relative who wants a connection, we want to support you.
There are no fees for service through the Confidential Intermediary program.
Our Mission
SERVE the adoption and foster care community by providing pathways to information and connection.
SUPPORT and empower individuals impacted by adoption to access information about themselves and establish connections while respecting the rights and privacy of all members of the adoption triad.
Meet the Confidential Intermediary Staff
Each Certified Confidential Intermediary is an employee of Midwest Adoption Center who completed in-depth training and passed an examination in order to be certified to serve as an intermediary through this program.
Dawn Saphir-Pruett, LCSW Executive Director
Dawn has been with MAC since 2004. Dawn began at MAC as a caseworker in the DCFS program and worked as a Confidential Intermediary. She enjoyed that work for several years before becoming the DCFS Program Coordinator and eventually the Executive Director. Dawn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master's Degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. Dawn also is an adult adoptee with several years of volunteering in education and mentoring opportunities with all members of the adoption circle.
Kathryn Marker, LCSW Direct Service Coordinator
Kathryn joined MAC in 2012, first as a caseworker in the DCFS program and then became a Confidential Intermediary in the CI program. She worked in those roles for a few years and then became the Confidential Intermediary Program Coordinator. Kathryn is now the Direct Service Coordinator and has enjoyed working in various roles at MAC. Kathryn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Illinois State University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Aurora University.
Emily Archer, LCSW Confidential Intermediary Program Coordinator
Emily joined the MAC staff in 2013 as a caseworker in the DCFS program and became a Confidential Intermediary in 2014. She became the Confidential Intermediary Program Coordinator in 2018 and works directly with petitioners, supervises the CI program, and consults with Judges and legal personnel. Emily received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Carroll University and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago.
Denise Certified Confidential Intermediary
Denise has been with MAC since 2014. Denise is a caseworker in the DCFS program and serves as a Confidential Intermediary in the CI program. She received her Master's Degree in Social Work from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Laura Certified Confidential Intermediary
Laura has been with MAC since 2016 and began as a caseworker in the DCFS program. She then added the role of Confidential Intermediary a year later. Her career has primarily been in social service and child welfare. Laura earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
LaKisha Program Specialist and Intake Coordinator
LaKisha joined the MAC staff as the Program Specialist and Intake Coordinator in 2004. She has 20 years of experience in the social service field with 18 of those years specializing in permanency and post-adoption work.
Sue Staff Genealogist and File Retrieval Specialist
Sue has been with MAC since 1996. She works as our staff genealogist and file retrieval specialist.