Questions to ask the adoption agency...

Mush-Tastic

We're meeting for the first time with our potential adoption agency in a little over a week at an information session.

Please give me your top 3 questions you think I should ask at this session that's super imperative to know, in case it isn't covered.

I'm compiling a list of questions to bring! 

Thanks!

silliestbunny

Top three questions??  Depends what you find important. 

One question would be how matching takes place.  I was with a large adoption organization that has a great reputation.  We started out with narrow parameters for what we were interested in being presented.  What never occurred to me is that our org would send our profile with75-125 other profiles to a e-mom.  Those are lousy odds!!   I understand their rationale.... which I can explain... but as someone being presented, I would have liked to have known that up front.

If wait time is important to you make sure you ask for estimates based on who YOU are and what you are are open to for potential matches.  Clearly someone who only wants a blonde hair, blue eyed e-parents who have never smoked a day in their life may wait longer than someone who is open to all sorts of things  If an agency quotes you on match times and it seems quick, delve for more information.

Good luck.  I found picking an agency super hard!

jacksjerseygirl

Only three ... 

 

1. Average wait broken out by race (as was stated above, your level of openness will allow you to be placed inside not outside those averages);

 

2. How are matches made and when are you notified. Some agencies will allow matching very early into the pregnancy and may then notify you and expectant parent expenses begin. Other agencies are more thoughtful and while the expectant parent may have selected you - the agency counsels her for a period if time before notifying you and making the match official.  This latter practice helps reduce disruption to the match and reduces lost money for you.

 

3.  Do they financially back up their matches. Though they are rare, agencies do exist that financially back up their matches. These agencies may cost more than others but if you have a disruption with a cheaper agency then you might spend more with that cheaper agency (and have a lot of heartache). Knowing that the agency takes the matching process more seriously and is more careful provides me peace of mind.