How did you choose an agency?

[WifeMomChiro]

I figure this has probably been discussed before, but I am struggling with choosing an agency.  We finally decided that we would like to do domestic transracial adoption.   I've met with one agency that didn't feel right (long story).  I've received informational packets from several.  I thought I decided on an agency and then they told me that I lived on the wrong side of the state line.  They referred me to another agency that has a waiting list and only placed 4 children all year!  No thank you.  So, how did you decide?  

[lamamax3]

Honestly, it came down to a few simple reasons.  We were 100% against working with a for-profit agency.  We have a tight budget.  We wanted to work in state.  That left us with two choices.  We went with the less-religious, less-expensive option.  The downside is that they focus most of their efforts on improving the lives of the women they work with...wait, that's not a downside .  It has led to an incredibly long wait, but we are more than happy with the way they treat women and families in need.

I have to admit that if we didn't already have biological children, I would probably work with for-profit agencies to get the chance to be a mother!

[WifeMomChiro]

Is there an easy way to find out what agencies are non-profit?  I would also like to work in-state, but it seems like that would increase the wait time pretty dramatically.

[alwayslearning66]

Sorry, but I don't have an easy answer for you. For all this, I relied on info from local friends who've adopted before as well as info I combed from agency online websites and phone interviews. You have to decide for yourself what the right fit might be....

[onemorecook]

I have two friends that used Bethany Christian Services. They are non-profit.

[MovingMomma]

Ethics, ethics, ethics.  Dig deep before you decide, and from both the adoptive and birth parent perspective.

[WifeMomChiro]

Originally Posted by MovingMomma 

Ethics, ethics, ethics.  Dig deep before you decide, and from both the adoptive and birth parent perspective.

Forgive me, but how do you go about digging?  I find so little information online about agencies.  Adoption.com does not allow public discussion of agencies, and getting private info feels like pulling teeth. 

[SpottedFoxx]

Here's a good source for you..  http://adoptionagencyreviews.com/

For us - we just went with what we knew.  Both my husband and I grew up within the Jewish Federation on one level or another so we just automatically went there.  I can tell you that a girlfriend of mine was having the same issue as you and I told her to check out my agency.  She's a Christian but JFCS doesn't care about religion, only that you will be a good parent.  They are highly ethical and do both domestic & international.  We both had fantastic experiences.

Ask around.  Talk to people in your community who have adopted about their experiences.  Read adoption blogs from the adoptive parent/birth parent and adoptee point of view to understand the ethics that need to be involved in adoption.  From there, you can formulate your own set of ideas of how you want your agency to be.

Good luck!

[MovingMomma]

Originally Posted by WifeMomChiro 

Forgive me, but how do you go about digging?  I find so little information online about agencies.  Adoption.com does not allow public discussion of agencies, and getting private info feels like pulling teeth. 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AARD/ (domestic)

http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/Adoption_Agency_Research (international)

http://www.ethicanet.org/

http://pear-now.org/

http://www.adoptionagencyratings.com

The BBB, state regulatory agencies, etc...

And good ol' google!  A quick search of the agency mentioned above turns up concerning stories from both sides.  

[WifeMomChiro]

Thank you.

[Whistler]

Ours was recommended to us by our state DCFS.  We'd originally inquired about doing foster care and decided to do newborn instead.  The social worker at the DCFS recommended our non-profit agency that we used and it was fantastic!

[alwayslearning66]

The same way you are doing now. There are practicalities to consider (type of child, place, numbers) and general attitude to your particular family. Profit v. non-profit is often a matter of how the books are kept as opposed to ethics. Ask any hard questions you can think of and pay attention to how they are answered. Then follow your gut.