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Choosing Your Adoption Professionals: Private
Adoption Agencies If you want you and your file to be taken care of from beginning to end, it's the one to call. A private adoption agency has all the experts on staff you'll need -- offering you the comfort and convenience of one-stop shopping. But first, make sure it can help you. Not all private agencies specialize in domestic adoptions. In fact, most deal with overseas adoptions since they tend to be less risky.
Choosing An Agency Then, once you make your decision, you'll need to find out what kind of services are offered by the agency. Some will do everything, from pre-placement parenting classes to post-adoptive counselling while others will offer more specific services like, for instance, a home study. If an agency has a particular specialty, philosophy
or approach, find out what it is. Also get some basic information as to
how many years it's been in the business, how many adoptions it's completed,
and whether it has any special requirements, religious or otherwise. Domestic Agencies For Canadian agencies specializing in domestic adoption,
you'll need to determine:
In regards to the pregnant women they work with, you'll need to know:
Keep in mind that you won't be matched with a potential birth mother on a "first come, first serve" basis. There is no chronological waiting list. The way it works is that each birth mother is presented with a choice of profiles from which she has the option of selecting one couple that best suits her needs. So, depending on how many candidates there are and how you fare in comparison to them, you could wind up waiting months or even years. Then again, there's no guarantee that you'll be matched at all. If you are fortunate enough to get chosen, you shouldn't feel compelled to go along with the placement just because the potential birth mother happens to like you or because you've already waited two years and you're worried that if you turn down the opportunity another one won't come your way for two more. Adoption, don't forget, is a lifelong decision. It's something you'll be living with for the rest of your life. So feeling comfortable with the situation is key.. Among other things, you'll need to know how many hopeful adoptive couples are on the waiting list, how much time do you have to accept or decline a referral, and what happens if you turn one down. On another note, keep in mind that just because a
birth mother is referred to you from a private agency doesn't mean she
won't change her mind or that her child won't have health problems. International Agencies: Overseas The criteria and process varies from one country to
the next and has nothing to do with your agency. Its job is simply to
help you get your file prepared and processed. So be sure that the agency
you choose specializes in the country you're interested in. International Agencies: US
On the whole, US agencies are a different breed than their
Canadian counterparts. Legally, they may do everything within the law,
but ethically their practices may raise serious concerns. As in Canada,
where adoption comes under provincial jurisdiction, in the US it is regulated
by the state. Keep in mind that in some jurisdictions, you could be responsible
for all of your birth mother's prenatal and medical bills. Just to be
on the safe side, before you sign on with any agency in the US, run it
by your licensee first. Fees When doing your research, make sure all the fees are clearly explained and that you get a fee schedule in writing. Find out exactly what you'll be paying for and how much. Also, find out about the application fee since it varies greatly -- from about $25 to $625 -- and is nonrefundable. If your agency charges you everything up front, there's something wrong. Most will charge a portion prior to the placement, and the remainder afterwards. If the agency has a refund policy, find out what it is, particularly in those cases where your adoption might fall through. Try to take written notes of everything you discuss and make arrangements to have a personal interview. Speak to as many staff members as you can. Are they easy to talk to? Are their answers comprehensive? Do they seem open and straightforward? Remember, these are the people you'll be relying on to help you start your family. You'll be going through a lot with them in the months and perhaps years to come. Be sure you're as comfortable with them as they are with you. Although the vast majority of private agencies in
Canada are staffed by competent, caring individuals, a little shopping
around can't hurt. Think of yourself as a consumer and approach your search
the way you would anything else. Looking for a car, you probably compared
dealerships for price, product and service. With an agency, it should
be no different. After all, your car may last ten or fifteen years, but
a child is forever.
Adoptive Parents | Birth Parents | Adopting in Canada | Waiting Parents Registry | Our Services | Discuss Adoption Contact Us: info@canadaadopts.com |
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