Suggestions for Domestic Agencies

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In my county/state its very common to go through a private agency to do foster care and/or adoption. In fact, i'd bet most people do. I'm with a private agency that has a contract with the state (county?) to place "state" kids. They do not do private placements (such as domestic newborns), ONLY foster kid adoptions. Other agencies in my area, such as Bethany and Lutheran SS, do the state adoptions, but also have infant and international programs.

I did not have to pay for my homestudy, and in my state private agencies apparently arent allowed to charge for homestudies for those adopting foster kids...but in some states, agencies do charge for the homestudy usually around $1K-$2K.

I dont have any domestic newborn advice for you if thats the route you were considering. But i have successfully fostered and then adopted an infant through the state (placed at three weeks, adopted at 11 months.), am currently fostering a 1 yr old baby girl as well (place for her is reunification w/ family), and before she was placed i was asked to take (then the county changed their minds) a 12 day old baby boy whose mother's parental rights were likely to be terminated very quickly (her other kids had been TPR'd and in my state they usually go right for TPR with any new kids.) Experiences may vary adopting through foster care, but it worked out well for me, though trying to adopt without fostering wasnt as successful.

Katherine

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thanks, do you have any idea how I would go about finding these type of private agencies in my state or county?

Most states have a photolisting of adoptable kids and/or a website devoted to adoption. There should be a link to agencies. At least thats how my state works. Feel free to post or PM me your state and i can try to find it for you, i think i've looked at every states' site! You can also look under "adoption" in the phone book, although that will often give you mostly private newborn agencies. And you can also call your local DHS (or whatever term is used where you live), and ask about adoption or foster care...they may send you out a packet, or with me, they just told me to go with a private agency as they were only licensing relative caregivers at that point.

Be forewarned that if you mention wanting to adopt an infant or young child (not sure what age you are wanting?)...they will probably tell you there arent any, the wait is long, etc....which can be true but often is not, esp if you are willing to be a regular foster parent.

Katherine