Deciding to adopt is a major milestone. Choosing whom to trust to help you achieve your dream is an important decision. Don’t leave it up to chance. The following steps will assist you in making the right choice:
Every international adoption must be overseen by a UNITED STATES ADOPTION SERVICE PROVIDER (ASP). See the role and responsibilities of the ASP here.
Continue to use the INTERNET to learn everything you can about adoption.
Search for COUNTRIES WITH ACTIVE PROGRAMS on sites such as the U.S. Department of State, as well as Joint Council on International Children’s Services, or Building Your Family, where you can find the names of agencies with adoption programs in those countries.
TALK TO ADOPTIVE PARENTS who are now “experts” in knowing who promised and delivered on those promises throughout the adoption process. Look for a local adoptive parent support group or an on-line group. You can also ask agencies for references, but be aware they would have been hand chosen for those with positive feedback. Ask for the pros and cons of each parent’s experience—Were time frames, costs and referrals as described? Did they feel supported throughout the process, particularly when traveling abroad? Was there good communication with agency staff and did they receive assistance and/or support once home?
CONTACT AGENCIES directly to ask about specific country programs. How long has the specific program been in operation? How many children have come home from each country in the past year and what is their 3 year record? What were the ages, gender and health of the children? Can you request gender and age? Who makes the matches of parent and child? What are the time frames from application to referral to adoption finalization? How much time is provided for you to have a physician review the referral information? What happens if you turn down a referral? Ask about costs, when are fees due and is there a refund schedule? Who will you be working with at each stage of the adoption process, including in the foreign country? Be sure to ask about requirements or limitations (age, marital status, religion, family size, history of substance abuse, arrest or physical or mental illness) for any specific program you are interested in.
Remember to ask about general agency operations, including licensing and Hague accreditation (which is required to facilitate international adoptions). How long have they been licensed and how long have they been doing international adoptions? Has their license ever been revoked in the U.S. or abroad? Do they have their own international country program or is it piggy-backed or under the supervision or authority of another accredited agency? Are they a not-for-profit organization?
Ask who conducts the Adoption Homestudy. Since you may work with an agency outside of your state or local community, ask if they provide names of agencies who can conduct your homestudy or do you need to find an agency on your own. If you do, you must work with a HAGUE ACCREDITED HOMESTUDY PROVIDER, who signs an agreement with the PLACING AGENCY that is helping you with the adoption.
Once you have narrowed down your options, ask for copies of agreements and READ ALL CONTRACTS AND MATERIALS thoroughly. It may be prudent to consult with an attorney to check on the provisions in agreements prior to beginning to work with any agency.
CONCLUSION
Choosing who will help you with your adoption process is a critical decision and will affect your entire experience in building your family. Explore your options, and delve deeper into agency programs and adoptive family experiences so you can make an informed choice. In this day and age with telephones, email, overnight hard mail and face-to-face phone calls, your agency does not need to be in your community—although, you may want one face-to-face meeting at the start of the process. Your goal is to feel confident that the staff knows the type of child you are looking to adopt, is acting as your advocate and is available to you before, during and after your adoption process.
Click for more from Adoption.NET Executive Writer Kathy Brodsky