Choosing an Adoption
Agency
When making the decision to adopt, we hope you will be able to collect all
information possible and choose an adoption agency that's a good match for
your family. We hope the following steps will help you.
- Research: The first step in choosing an agency is research.
Gather a list of all adoption agencies in your area and begin exploring
your options.
- Investigate: Spend at least two or three months
investigating all options before making your final decision. During this
time, rule out agencies that do not meet expectations. Don’t be afraid
to ask questions. The more questions you ask the better.
a) Ask for a list of 3 references who have adopted through the agency.
b) Make sure your agency is licensed.
c) Contact the Attorney General’s Office or Better Business Bureau
to see if there are any filed complaints against the agency.
- Attend: Most agencies offer informational
meetings or orientations. If at all possible attend one so you can meet
others and network. This will provide you with the opportunity to meet others
who may have additional information about the agency or similar questions/concerns.
- Decide: After weighing pros and cons, choose
an agency that works best with your family.
Specific Questions to Ask Agencies:
Placement Information: Obtaining information relating to
how many children were placed last year and how many families are served will
give you an idea about how long it will take to get a placement. Talking with
staff about what services their agency has to offer will also give you an
idea of how experienced they are and how knowledgeable the agency is about
adoption and related programs.
- How many children did your agency place last year?
- Which types of programs do you offer, and how many children where placed
from each program?
- (If interested in international adoption) Tell me about your experience
with placing children from other countries. Which countries does your agency
work with? How does this process look?
- (For single parents) How many children have you placed in single parent
households?
Timing of the Adoption Process: The adoption process is
a journey that does not happen over night. Often times families become anxious
waiting to complete questionnaires, their home study, or moving on to the
next step of placement, and finalized adoption. You may want to ask the following
questions to learn more about how the process flows and what services are
provided by the agency to meet your needs and expectations.
- How long does a home study take after I have submitted my application?
What are the actual steps of a home study, and how will I know if I’m
approved?
- In the event that I am not approved, can I find out why? Is there a way
to appeal this decision?
- How long will it take from adoption study approval to receive a referral
of a child? What do I do if I feel I cannot accept the referral?
- (For international adoptions) Once I accept a referral, what is the timeline
of events, such as travel and adoption approval?
Costs: Adoption agencies provide several different services
and programs for clients. Knowing costs and breaking them down is important
for financial planning purposes. The following questions may be helpful in
making your agency choice:
- What is the total cost of adopting through this program?
- Can you break down which costs go toward which services?
- Are there any payment options? If so, what do they consist of?
- Is there any type of financial assistance available?
Other Questions: Below are additional questions you may
want to consider asking. These will help to ensure a sense of programs and
services each agency provides.
• What kind of support services do you offer before, during, and after
adoption?
• How will you prepare me for parenting a child of a different racial
and/or cultural background?
• How will you prepare me for parenting children who have experienced
abuse or neglect?
• Are there post-adoption services available in case there are difficulties
in my home after the adoption?
• Will you explain tax credits for adoption?
• What is adoption assistance and do I qualify?
For more input on choosing an agency visit:
How
to Choose an Agency
The
Adoption Guide
The
Baby Center
Rainbowkids.com
National
Council for Adoption
For more information, please contact Adoption
Resources of Wisconsin at 1-800-762-8063. Or
visit the Wisconsin Department
of Children & Families
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