5 Important Questions to Ask an Adoption Agency Before Moving Forward with Them
Choosing the right adoption agency (or the right handful of them!) is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your adoption journey.
The agencies you work with will play a major role in guiding you through the process, so it’s essential to find one that aligns with your values, needs, and expectations.
To help you make an informed decision, consider asking potential agencies these five essential questions:
1. What is Your Availability?
Understanding an agency's accessibility is vital to timing of your adoption. Nobody wants to wait longer than they have to for something as minor as day-to-day responses or as big as their entire adoption process completion! Make sure to inquire about:
Communication Channels: Can you reach them via phone, email, or in-person meetings?
Operating Hours: Are they available during times that align with your schedule?
After-Hours Support: Do they offer assistance outside of regular hours for urgent concerns?
Who is your Point of Contact: Will you have a skilled social worker handling your case should you get matched?
Time to Match: How quickly are the adoptive parents they work with getting chosen (matched) with a birth mom?
An agency that offers flexible and consistent communication and reasonable turnaround times demonstrates a commitment to supporting you throughout the adoption process.
2. What is Included in Your Costs?
Adoption expenses can vary widely, and sometimes it can depend on birth mom situations or even your own approach. But with each agency you should clarify:
Fee Structure: Do they provide a detailed breakdown of all costs?
Additional Expenses: Are there potential extra fees for services like legal representation, birth parent support, or medical expenses?
Payment Schedule: When are payments due, and are there financing options available?
Transparency in financial matters ensures you can plan accordingly and avoid unexpected costs. They might even know of financial resources for you if you choose not to work with an adoption constant and only a single agency.
3. How Do You Protect Our Investment?
Adoption involves significant emotional and financial commitments. It’s really important during the agency selection process to ask about:
Disruption Policies: What happens if an adoption falls through?
Refund Procedures: Are there provisions for refunds or credits in case of disruptions?
Risk-Sharing Programs: Do they offer programs to mitigate financial loss in unforeseen circumstances?
Understanding these policies provides peace of mind and safeguards your investment. Also, if you haven’t vetted their business and license, this is another key way to proactively protect your investment.
4. What Support Services Do You Offer?
Comprehensive support is essential. If you’re not choosing the consultant route and need more support from the agency itself, inquire about:
Pre-Adoption Education: Do they offer training or workshops to prepare you for adoption?
Counseling Services: Is emotional support available for both adoptive parents and birth parents?
Post-Adoption Resources: What kind of assistance is provided after the adoption is finalized?
Agencies that offer robust support services demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of all parties involved. The level of support an agency, or attorney acting as an agency, can provide will really vary. It’s worth noting that a lot of agencies are most focused on the birth mom as she navigates this taxing process, often times alone, so while they may offer some support, it’s best not to expect them to be aware of all your needs at all times as potential adoptive parents.
5. How Do You Support Birth Parents?
The treatment of birth parents reflects an agency's ethics and values. Ask about:
Counseling and Support: Do they provide emotional and practical assistance to birth parents?
Financial Assistance: Are there provisions for covering pregnancy-related expenses? Do they help the birth mom find medical care?
Post-Adoption Contact: How do they facilitate communication between birth and adoptive families, if desired?
Respectful and compassionate support for birth parents indicates an agency's dedication to ethical practices.
By posing these critical questions, you can assess which adoption agency aligns best with your values and needs, paving the way for a successful and fulfilling adoption experience!
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.