Adoption
whatididntkno
member
choosing an agency?
whatididntkno
member
in Adoption
Hubby and I just recently decided to pursue domestic adoption after a year TTC. I had a MC at 6 weeks and the experience was one of the worst of my life. I agreed to TTC for a while after, but that went nowhere and we're ready to move on. We still need to save the money, but I'm wondering how everyone chose their agencies? There are so many!
Very excited about this new opportunity! I have always wanted to adopt.
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Re: choosing an agency?
TTC since June 2009
01/10- Femara
03/10- Femara
07/2010- Clomid with injectables and IUI #1
08/2010- IUI #2
06/2011- IVF #1 BFP!
09/2011- Miscarriage at 10 1/2 weeks
11/2011- FET
01/2012- Start Home Study process
03/2012- Home Study approved and now waiting on our child to find us!
07/2012- matched with a BM who is due in October!
11/10/12- our son is born!
11/13/12- court grants us custody!
12/28/12- finalization! Always ours in our hearts, but.now also ours forever
http://keepingupwiththejoneses-dana.blogspot.com/
Welcome to the board! Most agencies you can send for more information via their website. When we first started out and were looking at DIA and we sent away for info from about 10 different agencies. From the packages sent we were able to get an idea of cost, process and a bit of a feel for the way the agency presents themselves. We narrowed down our choices and then spoke to people on the phone and took notes on how our questions were answered, time frame for calls back, office locations, that type of thing.
The agency that we liked ultimately ended up being an agency that had the international program we are interested in so although we didn't end up with DIA, it worked out and we found the right place for us.
Good luck and welcome again!
We wanted a fairly local agency that we would work with, and we wanted one that was more or less full-service. We contacted 3 agencies: one was a religious-based agency in our town, one was a small mom and pop agency that contracted out a lot of their services (homestudy, post-placement legal work, etc), one was a large, well-established agency that worked in several states.
One place wouldn't return my calls, one gave me a bad vibe, and one I loved. Of course, they had the highest fees.
We attended some webinars and in-person seminars to get a feel for the adoption process in general, and one was through one of the agencies. DH attended an in-person informational seminar with one of them, and got a rec from a co-worker (they did her international adoption homestudy), which clinched the deal.
I'd think about the things that are important to you and ask the agencies if they can work with you within your specific parameters. For example, some people want a religious-based agency, some want them to be open to single parents and gays/lesbians, some don't want a different fee structure for minority placements, some want a guarantee of counseling for expectant parents, etc.
I have been driving by an adoption agency in my town on the way to and from work everyday for 3 years. I always noticed it because you don't really see adoption agency buildings often. Little did I know that I would actually need their help in the future. They were my first thought when deciding to adopt. I then compared their prices and info with a few other. They claim they work will less clients at a time and their fees are a bit lower. Me being able to walk to the agency(that is how close they are) really made my decision. I wanted them to know me personally. They really liked that we are a home town couple for them so it is fun.
I would find a few ones in your area and request info/go in for a meeting. Most of the couples working with my agency do not even live in the same state. I don't think I would like that..I liked to be able to meet with them in person and not just do over the phone meetings.
Like PP, I sent for info from about 8 locally based agencies. I went through their info and weeded ones out. I narrowed it down to two, a national agency and a state agency (only have EMs and BMs from our state). I called both agencies and read through a three page list of questions I compiled. The agency I had the best feeling about from the beginning gave the best answers and that's who we chose. We had a wonderful experience and will be using them again in a couple months when we start on adoption #2.
My advice: research online, by mailings and via phone and go with your gut. Good luck!