Adoptive parents have a lot of decisions to make when they first set out on the journey to an adoption. They must consider what type of adoption they want to pursue, the degree of openness they want with birth parents, and more. However, they have one important consideration that must not be overlooked – choosing an adoption agency. Selecting the right agency can equip parents with a full team of professionals who are experienced and knowledgeable.
A brief online search will reveal hundreds and thousands of adoption agencies across the country. Some will only work with families who live in the same state while others have multiple locations that work nationwide. Each one has an appealing website that may make you wonder how you’re supposed to choose just one agency. What criteria do you look for to find the perfect adoption agency?
When it comes to beginning the adoption process, choosing an agency is one of the very first steps you need to take. Here are five must-have criteria that you should look for in a potential agency.
Look for the license.
Make sure that you are protecting your own interests and the interests of your future child by only working with adoption agencies that are licensed by the state. The actual requirements for obtaining this license will vary based on your location. However, standards do exist in every state to set the minimum requirements to place children in a home. They even dictate how informed the staff must be when it comes to adoption policies. For example, staff might have certain education or training requirements before the agency can consider them an employee. Here in Florida, staff must be Adoption Competent Certified by the Department of Children and Families to perform home studies and provide adoptive parent training. This includes 32 hours of training.
Search for reviews online.
Many adoption agencies are accredited with the Better Business Bureau or can easily be found online. While not everything you see on the Internet is true, it can be beneficial to read through any reviews you find. Be wary of an agency that only has negative reviews online. A few bad reviews in the midst of resoundingly positive ones is normal for any business. Keep in mind that some of these reviews might be from disgruntled individuals who weren’t found to be good candidates for adoption or other unique circumstances.
Attempt to ask more questions about their program.
An adoption agency that wants to work with your family should be open to answering any questions you may have. Attempt to ask some of your most pressing questions about their program to gauge their response. If the agency shies away from answering all of your questions, you may want to consider that suspect. They should always be forthcoming with all of the details surrounding their adoption process and program. Here are a few questions that you may want to consider asking upfront:
- How much will it cost and when will we need to pay? What is your refund policy for a failed adoption?
- What are the training and eligibility requirements?
- How long does the adoption process take?
Not only should the agency freely answer all of your questions, they also need to do so in a timely manner. Come to expect that a potential adoption agency should promptly return all of your emails and phone calls regarding questions. If they can’t respond now, it may be difficult to get in touch with them when a major need arises later.
Request detailed information on training and support.
Learning how to parent a child who was placed with you through adoption requires you to change the way you parent. There are unique needs and considerations that you must keep in mind for an adopted child. You will need excellent training and education to equip you for the years ahead. After all, this child is going to be with you for a lifetime. Now is the best time to start preparing for what that is like and how you can best care for your new son or daughter.
Similarly, you should ask what types of support they have available post-adoption. Some agencies will offer support groups or counseling services. Maybe your adoption agency can make referrals to places that offer more intensive support if that is what you need later on. No matter what, they should be able to offer you something in terms of post-adoption support services.
Selecting the right adoption agency is a crucial first step to a successful adoption process. Your agency workers are going to be spending a lot of time with you, so make sure that you are compatible with one another. If you feel like an agency isn’t a good fit for your family even though it meets all of the criteria, don’t hesitate to find another one. Every family is unique and may require a different approach to a successful adoption.