Agency Search

kellyrn9956

How did you go about your agency search? It is totally overwhelming!! Any good websites with comprehensive lists that I can just start going through? What's your recommended adoption agency search tactic?

We are pursuing domestic adoption and are in Maryland.  

 

silliestbunny

Isn't it?! 

There's a yahoogroup called AARD (adoption agency research-domestic) that is suppose to be helpful.... I didn't find it nearly as comprehensive as it could be IMO.

My advice--- google "questionnaire for adoption agency" or use one of basic Dummies/Idiots books to get a questionnaire.  Ask the agencies the same set of questions and listen to your gut.

Once you've narrowed it down, google and ask as many groups as possible if they know of the agency.

Also make a list of what is important to you---- wait time, match rate, money invested upfront vs later...??

kellyrn9956

silliestbunny:

Isn't it?! 

There's a yahoogroup called AARD (adoption agency research-domestic) that is suppose to be helpful.... I didn't find it nearly as comprehensive as it could be IMO.

My advice--- google "questionnaire for adoption agency" or use one of basic Dummies/Idiots books to get a questionnaire.  Ask the agencies the same set of questions and listen to your gut.

Once you've narrowed it down, google and ask as many groups as possible if they know of the agency.

Also make a list of what is important to you---- wait time, match rate, money invested upfront vs later...??

Great advice and gives us a good place to start. Having a few guidelines will make it easier to narrow down.  

Any other discussion groups/forums that you suggest?  

lafayettegirl

We're in Northern VA and looked in VA/DC/MD. We went by word of mouth mostly. However, we have friends who started out using the Barker Foundation in Maryland and really were quite unhappy. If you are in this area and are looking at them, let me know and I'll PM you the situation.

jenjen930

I found a list of licensed agencies in my state and started there.  I checked out each website, and asked around if anyone had used them.  We are still in the process of choosing one, but I think I have a pretty good handle on it for the moment.  It's very overwhelming in the beginning.  Good luck!

twinkjk

We got advice from friends in the area who adopted twice and went through 3 or four agencies.  They had good things to say about some and bad things to say about others.    It was great to get first-hand experience. 

The other thing we did was call agencies we were interested in and actually talk to someone there.  The agency we ended up with didn't mind talking to us for about an hour and we hadn't even signed with them.  We could tell they were a very caring agency who were going to be a great match for us.  

moosegal

We used a consultant who helped steer us towards agencies that matched our preferences, budget, etc. The best thing I learned is that we didn't necessarily have to pick an agency in our home state. There are other states with more favorable adoption laws that we were steered towards, which I appreciated.

kellyrn9956

lafayettegirl:

We're in Northern VA and looked in VA/DC/MD. We went by word of mouth mostly. However, we have friends who started out using the Barker Foundation in Maryland and really were quite unhappy. If you are in this area and are looking at them, let me know and I'll PM you the situation.

Yes, I'd love to hear the story in a PM 

Dr.Loretta

We contacted agencies near us and crossed off the ones that didn't work out for us one way or another (didn't return calls, etc.).

We were on the AARD site, and there's one called something like "adoption agencies that don't suck".

We asked a lot of licensing questions per Adoption for Dummies, and we asked for references. We also had questions that we developed over time: it should be on the first page or 2 of this board.

You may also want to ask here:

https://pandce.****/index.cgi?board=adoption

 

kellyrn9956

moosegal:

We used a consultant who helped steer us towards agencies that matched our preferences, budget, etc. The best thing I learned is that we didn't necessarily have to pick an agency in our home state. There are other states with more favorable adoption laws that we were steered towards, which I appreciated.

This sounds like a great option. May I ask if it is affordable?

lafayettegirl

I just sent you a PM.

moosegal

kellyrn9956:

moosegal:

We used a consultant who helped steer us towards agencies that matched our preferences, budget, etc. The best thing I learned is that we didn't necessarily have to pick an agency in our home state. There are other states with more favorable adoption laws that we were steered towards, which I appreciated.

This sounds like a great option. May I ask if it is affordable?

Is anything in adoption afforable? LOL   Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, the consultant cost us about as much (actually, a little less) than the home study fee. It was $2400, but I honestly believe it's some of the best money we spent in the process. I'll PM you our consultant's info -- I know they work with clients out of state. There are several other ladies here who have used the same consultant, too, if you want to ask additional questions about her after you get my info. 

I don't know about MD laws, but just confirm that it is legal to use a consultant (which is different than a facilitator, which aren't allowed in my state). PM on its way!

SLPMel

Hope you don't mind that I am posting-we had seriously thought about the adoption route ourselves.  We went to the Catholic Charities meeting in Baltimore-and were not happy with them.  We crossed them right off the list.  We heard really good things about Adoptions Together.  We also heard of another one in PA that someone we knew adopted two children from-if you'd like that information, I can get it for you.

Also-I have a copy of Adoption for Dummies if you'd like it!

kellyrn9956

SLPMel:

Hope you don't mind that I am posting-we had seriously thought about the adoption route ourselves.  We went to the Catholic Charities meeting in Baltimore-and were not happy with them.  We crossed them right off the list.  We heard really good things about Adoptions Together.  We also heard of another one in PA that someone we knew adopted two children from-if you'd like that information, I can get it for you.

Also-I have a copy of Adoption for Dummies if you'd like it!

I am in Westminster too!!! We are attending a meeting at Adoptions Together on Tuesday, so I'll let you know how it goes. We seem to be the most impressed with their program so far. I'd love the name of the PA agency as well.

I downloaded Adoption for Dummies on my Kindle already, but thanks so much for the offer!

slndr042305

kellrn9956 lafayettegirl we're also in NoVa. Any chance you guys would PM me with info on Barker and other agencies you've worked with or had interaction with in the DC/MD/VA area? Would greatly appreciate it!

kellyrn9956

slndr042305:

kellrn9956 lafayettegirl we're also in NoVa. Any chance you guys would PM me with info on Barker and other agencies you've worked with or had interaction with in the DC/MD/VA area? Would greatly appreciate it!

Sure. I think that lafayett can share on Barker.

We have had some interaction with Adoptions Together on the phone, and wll be attending an info session on Tuesday.

SLPMel

kellyrn9956:

SLPMel:

Hope you don't mind that I am posting-we had seriously thought about the adoption route ourselves.  We went to the Catholic Charities meeting in Baltimore-and were not happy with them.  We crossed them right off the list.  We heard really good things about Adoptions Together.  We also heard of another one in PA that someone we knew adopted two children from-if you'd like that information, I can get it for you.

Also-I have a copy of Adoption for Dummies if you'd like it!

I am in Westminster too!!! We are attending a meeting at Adoptions Together on Tuesday, so I'll let you know how it goes. We seem to be the most impressed with their program so far. I'd love the name of the PA agency as well.

I downloaded Adoption for Dummies on my Kindle already, but thanks so much for the offer!

 

YGPM