Selecting an Adoption Agency

f you’ve made the decision to adopt but you haven’t yet chosen the agency, here are some pointers to help you make that all-important decision:

Do your homework. Learn everything you can about adoption, agencies and state requirements. Don’t worry about specific agencies yet, just find out what types of options and programs are available. Before you can make an informed decision about an agency, you need to be clear about what you’re looking for. Do you want to adopt a newborn or an older child? Domestic or international adoption? If you’re not sure yet, your preliminary research can help you find the answers.

Ask around. The easiest way to find an agency may be to go online and start googling, but don’t be persuaded by a pretty web site and cute photographs. The best way to find a reputable and competent agency is to talk to others who have had good experiences. Start by getting referrals from:

• Friends and relatives
• Your family doctor
• Local adoptive parent groups
• Local social service organizations

Take your time. You should plan to spend as much time as it takes to research agencies. Don’t go with the first referral you get, look at several agencies and compare.

Ask questions. Be prepared to ask a lot of questions before deciding on an agency that is right for you. Most agencies have free informational sessions for prospective adoptive parents for exactly this purpose.

These are just a few questions to help you narrow down your choices.

AGENCY INFORMATION
Is the agency a nonprofit?
How long has this agency been in business?
Are they licensed in your state?
How many children did you place last year and the previous year? How many do you expect this year?

PLACEMENT CRITERIA
Do you place mostly infants or older children?
From the US or other countries?
Do you have any restriction on adoptive parents, like age, marital status, or religion?
Do you arrange open adoptions? What is the process?
If you handle international adoptions, for which countries? Do we fit that country’s placement criteria?

WAITING PERIOD
How long will it take to complete the home study? Can we start right away?
How long will it take from home study approval to the referral of a child? What happens if we don’t wish to accept the child referred?
Once I accept a referral, how long will we wait for the child to arrive or until we travel to adopt the child?

TRAINING AND COUNSELING
What training does the agency offer?
Do you offer training for parenting a child of a different racial and/or cultural background?
Do you offer training for special needs adoptions?
What help do you provide for adoptive families who run into difficulties after placement?

COSTS AND FEES
What are the fees and when are they payable? Are their separate fees for different services? What is the total cost of adopting through each program?
Do you have an annual report that demonstrates fiscal accountability?
Can we see a copy of your standard contract?

Trust your instincts. If something about an agency doesn’t seem right to you, you should avoid it. Beware of agencies that want all the fees in advance, if they don’t provide clear explanations of fees, or if they don’t charge for a home study. You should also steer clear of agencies that make promises that sound too good to be true. If you are concerned about an agency, contact the Better Business Bureau or the state attorney general’s office in the state where the agency is licensed to check whether any complaints have been filed against them.

The adoption process can be long and stressful, but finding an agency that you trust and respect can make the whole process proceed more smoothly. It is worth it to take the time you need to make the right choice.