Public adoption

SouthernGirl047

Can any one suggest a public adoption agency?

** I guess I was saying "public adoption" as opposed to private adoption. I've read on here that it can cost up to $20k for private adoption. I'm pretty new to this idea, but I'd like to find a less expensive route.... DH and I live in Atlanta, GA.

Dr.Loretta

I'm confused by your terminology. What do you mean by public adoption? Open adoption? Foster/adopt through the state? One through an agency vs your own identification of a BM?

More detail would also be helpful. What type of adoption you're looking into, where you live, etc.

I'd also recommend the FAQs if you haven't checked them out already.

SouthernGirl047

Dr.Loretta:

I'm confused by your terminology. What do you mean by public adoption? Open adoption? Foster/adopt through the state? One through an agency vs your own identification of a BM?

More detail would also be helpful. What type of adoption you're looking into, where you live, etc.

I'd also recommend the FAQs if you haven't checked them out already.

 

Does that help? (i edited)

Alicia_22

We used Bethany Christian Services in Atlanta. They have a sliding scale based on your income. Ours was less than $20K.

 

 

MamaB2009

Here are the general types of domestic adoption...you tell us.

Foster/adopt - adoption through the county/state foster care system.  You would generally not pay anything out of pocket for this (maybe a small fee for an attorney, but many times the state will even pick up the tab for this).  I believe this is what you're referring to.

Private adoption - also called independent or attorney adoption.  Where you identify a birthmother yourself.  You do not use an agency in any capacity.  You would find a social worker on your own to write your homestudy and then work directly with an attorney to find resources for the birthmother.  This is usually cheaper than agency adoption, but you also do more work yourself.

Agency adoption - can be for-profit or not-for-profit agency.  The agency markets to, recruits, and provides services to the birthmother.  They provide your homestudy and hand hold you through the process.  You may or may not have to pay for an attorney depending on the agency (some have their own or include it in the fee).  Generally this is the most expensive type of adoption, but there are some smaller chapters of Lutheran or Catholic Social Services and smaller not-for-profit agencies who offer very reasonable sliding scales (ex...my local CSS is 10% of AGI for the fees, plus the homestudy fee).

Go_Dawgs

I'm in Atlanta and sent you a PM.  I sent you a link to an article giving an overview of the different options in Georgia that I think will be helpful.  

SouthernGirl047

Thanks ladies! This information has really helped me to understand the different types of adoption. I believe we are interested in the foster/adopt option right now.

MamaB2009

Best of luck to you -- feel free to stick around and post!