How to Choose an Adoption Agency
So you’ve made the decision to adopt a child to grow your family!
Now what?
What agency do you reach out to in order to start?
There are so many adoption agencies or agency alternatives, and choosing the right one can feel like a huge decision. You’ll have to work with the agency(s) you choose every step of the way, at least the one that matches you to a birth mom, so it’s important to find one or more that truly works for you in terms of hearing and understanding your needs, supporting your values, etc.
Although choosing the right adoption agency can be an in-depth process, below are five major things to consider and make progress on when starting out:
1. Determine the Type of Adoption
Make sure you’re clear on which type of adoption aligns with your family's goals, in order to determine if an agency is even the right path:
Domestic Infant Adoption: Involves adopting a newborn within your country. Depending on the situation, you can work with an agency or an agency alternative.
International Adoption: Adopting a child from another country, which requires working with a Hague-accredited agency.
Foster Care Adoption: Adopting a child from the foster care system.
By narrowing down your initial path to adoption, you can quickly start refining your list of agencies or organizations that specialize in your situation. Here at Adoption Journey Consultants, we can offer high-level information about the international adoption and foster care adoption experiences, but we only offer on-going consulting services for domestic infant adoption specifically.
2. Research Potential Agencies
Once you've identified the adoption type, research agencies that specialize in that area. In the case of adoption not via the foster care system:
Licensing and Accreditation: Ensure the agency is properly licensed and, if applicable, Hague-accredited for international adoptions.
Experience and Reputation: Look for agencies with a solid track record working with other adoptive families.
Services Offered: Confirm that the agency provides comprehensive services, including pre-adoption education, birth parent counseling, and post-adoption support.
State of Residence Laws: If adopting in the U.S., the state the agency resides in will have different laws impacting your adoption journey, so understand what those laws are and how you can be impacted even years after adoption.
3. Evaluate Agency Support and Resources
Some key areas to explore once you’ve narrowed down your list of agencies include:
Reputation & Practices: How long have they been practicing and are they transparent with their fees, how they interact with birth moms, and how they source adoption?
Pre-Adoption Education: Do they offer resources that help prepare you for the adoption journey?
Counseling Services: Do they offer counseling services for the birth families?
Wait Times & Placement Statistics: Are their average wait times and disruption rates favorable?
Diversity & Volume: Do they serve a diverse group of birth moms or do their approaches limit opportunites?
Post-Adoption Support: Ongoing resources and support groups are valuable after the adoption is finalized.
Transparently, this is a part of the adoption process where an adoption consultant can be really beneficial.
4. Understand Financial Considerations
Transparency in costs is vital:
Fee Structure: Request a detailed breakdown of all associated costs.
Payment Schedules: Understand when payments are due and if there are financing options.
Financial Protections: Inquire about policies regarding disruptions and potential refunds.
5. Assess Communication and Compatibility
Effective communication fosters a positive relationship with every party involved. This is a key area to be keeping an eye out for red flags / green flags early on:
Availability: Determine the agency's operating hours and after-hours support.
Responsiveness: Gauge how promptly and thoroughly they address your inquiries.
Personal Connection: Ensure you feel comfortable and supported by the agency staff.
Adoption is a complex topic and process, but by carefully considering these these factors, you can select an adoption agency (or agency alternative!) that aligns with your family's needs and values.
If you’d like help paving the way for a successful and fulfilling adoption experience, please feel free to book a call with Adoption Journey Consultants, where we’d be happy to simply answer questions or work with you from start to finish.