Older Child Adoption

You are committed to exploring adoption, so what’s next? Finding an agency or a private representative (lawyer or doctor) that you trust and can guide you honestly and legally is the first step. Look on the Internet, in the yellow pages, and begin asking questions. Agencies refer other agencies and counselors provide recommendations. We met with a family counselor to gather educated questions and received referrals to a variety of agencies. Then we went to informational meetings and gathered paperwork from those agencies. We chose the agency that provided informative handouts, graphs of the paperwork maze, bulleted legal steps, financial requirements and offered a list of educational workshops and support groups. Most importantly, we chose the agency we felt we could trust in creating our family.

When evaluating an agency, the quality criteria used during our experience included the list below.

· Providing informational meetings and/or adoption workshops addressing questions and concerns for people seeking guidance about adoption choices.

· Information and initial interviews with a personal adoption counselor to determine if your needs can be best met by the agency. Each agency has specific criteria for adoption plans. Our agency’s general requirements at the time of our adoptions or a couple married at least two years, with a proven infertility situation. International criteria vary per country: You must be ment. Most countries allow an adoption to couples with other children. Cambodia allowed couples 25-55 and single parents 40-50 to adopt. Some require travel to pick up your child some do not. The rules in each country vary and changes can occur at any time. Each agency can require different criteria for domestic adoptions. All agencies want the best family situation for the child. · A list of support groups and educational workshops or programs geared toward birth parents, domestic adoption, international adoption, and adopted persons. These programs and support groups should be available before, during and after the adoption process. · Complete home study and licensing based on the state require ments to adopt a child. (Chapter V, The Home Study Process) · Family referrals you can contact that used the particular agency. A list for websites, magazines and books concerning adoption topics. · A statement concerning the number of children placed by the agency in previous year(s). A current national list of placement of children by country. · Fee Agreements involving a breakdown for agency services (including a refund policy). Nothing should be left unanswered or vague concerning fee estimates. National adoption expenses range from $6,000–$30,000. At the time, our agency average costs ranged from $15,000–$25,000. Domestic adoption expenses may include birth mother reimbursement for doctor, hospital and court pre-approved living expenses. She may not receive a fee for making an adoption plan. International adop tion costs should include the typical travel time needed in coun try and estimated cost of travel expenses included with the agency services. Although the children are priceless, the profes sional and legal fees are a necessary expense.

Once you have chosen your agency or private representative, communication between both is essential to avoid a slip in the paperwork that could delay your process. Trust is required when some questions can’t be answered. If trust isn’t there–change counselors–even within the agency.