Private Adoption Agency

Question: Are babies that are 'up for adoption' with a private adoption agency in foster care first? i am confused cos i was adopted in ireland, it was a catholic adoption agency and as far as i know wasnt solely built on profit, i dunno though. i was in foster care as a baby until i was adopted which would be part of the whole social care system. but are kids that are being adopted through the private agencies, for example in the US, in foster care until they are adopted?

Answer: Sometimes they are placed in temporary foster or cradle care, as it is called. This would be a family, working for the private adoption agency, and licensed by the state to care for infants. In these situations, the mother is supposed to be able to take her baby back before the relinquishment is final....or before it has even started. The cradle care/foster care is supposed to be a place where the mother can get care for her baby while she is getting help for herself and her child. But...sometimes the agency will pressure the mother to sign the relinquishment ...threatening her if she fights them....that they will file a motion with the court to terminate her rights, saying that she is "unfit". ...and the agency will write a report to the court to prove that she is undeserving of her child.THe cradle/foster care is used against the mother....as "proof" that she could not support her child. In the USA, this violation of mothers' civil rights happened frequently during the baby scoop era. Some agencies still offer cradle care.Used ethically, it can help mothers and babies to stay together. Another way "foster care" is used is in pre-birth matching. In some states, the paps must be licensed as foster parents in order to take the infant home from the hospital.Paps who are licensed as foster parents can claim that "standing' when they take the new-born home, even before the relinquishment has been signed. Older children in foster care are usually there due to reports of abuse or neglect. This is not the same as cradle care.

Question: Ethiopian adoption switching from agency to private? Has anyone gone from being (unsuccessfully) with an agency, to private adoption in Ethiopia? If so what did you have to do to make the switch in Ethiopia and your relevant provincial authority? All details and insight would be very helpful. thanks.

Answer: It can be done... but it is really tricky and I personally would not recommend it based on the cases I know of and the current climate in Ethiopia with regards to adoptive families. We adopted from Ethiopia using an agency and had a very good experience. Consider joining the largest of the Yahoo groups for Ethiopian adoption and doing a search for private adoptions. There are some people in the group who have done it successfully and could provide you accurate information on how to get started. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EthiopiaAd…

Question: i want to complain about a licensed private adoption agency ( NO illegal wrongdoing? I have already complained to Better Business Bureau, county consumer protection services and the division that licenses the agency. Is there anyone else. I am thinking about small claims court.

Answer: That would depend on the nature of your complaint. Do you feel comfortable posting more details?

Question: is there anyone in nc that is pregnant and considering a private adoption? no agency involved!!? just curious if there is anyone in north carolina that is pregnant and doesnt want to keep the baby. dont abort. i want a private, no agency involved, adoption. birth parents to never look back. also, you can contact me at yours2482 on yahoo messenger. thanks.

Answer: did you know that what you are trying to do hun is illegal? I'm sure that you have your reasons but don't be surprised if you don't get a response from anyone. How would you expect to put that baby into your name?

Question: Private adoption vs. agency adoption? I just found out that private adoption exists (I always thought adoption had to be done through an agency). What's the benefit of choosing private adoption over using an agency for a woman who is giving her child up? From what I've read it seems that private adoption is mostly for women who already know the family they want give the baby to and agency adoption is for when you don't have a family picked and want the agency to help you find one, or have I got it wrong? Is there some benefit to the mother in choosing private adoption for her baby? Is there some benefit to the mother in choosing an agency over private adoption?

Answer: Many pre adoptive parents that seek out private adoption agencies are of higher income as they are required to pay for attorney fees, costs to get certified homestudy and other fees related to adoption expenses. Pre adoptive and/or foster parents that are certified through agencies that contract with their local department of social services are monitored by state guideline and must complete trainings, clearances,and are assigned a caseworker to help determine if the child would qualify for a subsidy based on the child's needs. If they do qualify for the subsidy they can get financial support to meet the child's needs up until the age of 18-21. This could include medicaid. Subsidy could also pay for the attorney adoption fees. Department of Social Services agencies are required by law to make diligent efforts to offer the biological parents every opportunity to care for their child through offering services and seeking out relatives before accepting placement of a child in a pre adoptive foster home. Usually there would be a 6 month timeframe before the child would be freed for adoption. This info is based on my years of work experience as an adoptions caseworker for the county

Question: What all is involved with getting a home study done for adoption with a private agency? Who would you recommend?

Answer: I would recommend that you call a couple of Private agencies in your area to get a rundown on what they charge---it can vary by several hundred of dollars--depending on the agency. If you want to cut some of your costs you might consider a state agency which does NOT charge a fee for their study. Whomever does the home study will come to your home and do a walk-through, do several interviews with your family, request physicals, arrange finger printing for all members of your family 13 and older, and request several references.

Question: I can't have kids due to my previous dance with cancer. What is a good private adoption agency in America?

Answer: I suggest Illini Children's Christian Home in St.Joseph IL My family has worked with them personally, they are very professional, compassionette people. I have included a contact list of Adoption Agencies, I hope the information can be of some help. Brightest Blessings to you! Additional Adoption Referral Information: Adoption Program, Family Resources 319-323-1852 Bethany Christian Services 888-791-3981 Bethany Home Adoption 319-324-9169 Birth Mother Support Group, for those who have placed their baby for adoption 309-788-9581 Catholic Social Services 309-788-9581 Fatherheart Mat Home, Tyler, TX 903-581-2891 Highlands Child Placement Services, Kansas City, MO 800-235-0652 Illini Children's Christian Home Ministry, St. Joseph, IL 800-274-0113 Lutheran Social Service - IL 309-786-6400 Lutheran Social Service - IA 319-322-7419 Mercy Ministries 318-388-2040 New Beginnings Mat Home, Winfield MO 888-777-1553 Pregnancy Support Services 630-653-6400 Sunny Ridge Family Center 630-668-5117

Question: We are interested in private adoption...not using an agency. Anyone have advice on what to do next? We are waiting for a baby girl from China. Already with an international agency, have a completed home study, fingerprints, approval from Homeland Security, ect...most agencies make us feel like we are buying a baby and it shouldn't be that way. Some have suggested running adds in the newspaper and contacting Doctors to let them know we are looking to adopt a baby.

Answer: Correct me if I have this confused, but I am assuming you're saying that you are already in the process to adopt from China, but because of the 2-4 year wait you are looking to adopt a child domestically now, and still adopt from China later. With domestic infant adoption there are far more families waiting to adopt then there are expectant mothers planning to place their babies for adoption. This is why many agencies suggest "networking" practices such as placing ads, and contacting doctors, churches, and school, which understandably makes many people feel uncomfortable. However, if you pursue a private adoption on your own or through an attourney, you will find the need to use the same types of "networking" to "find" and expectant mother, actually you'll probably have to do more of this on you own. There simply aren't a lot of woman planning on placing their child for adoption who are sitting around waiting for someone to find them. This is part of the reason many families choose international adoption. Although some countries are fraught with corruption, in countries such as China there truely are children who need familes, and have no hope of returning to their biological familes (due to policies such as the "one child only") As you probably know, China only allows a fraction of it's orphaned children to be adopted internationally, so that is why the wait is so long. I know there are many children waiting in China with special needs who are immediately available for referral. If you don't feel you can meet the needs of a special needs child, I do known that Holt International has a program called "Children of promise" for children with very minor correctable needs, and since these children are sadly harder to place, the wait for referral is about half of the regular program. If your having ethical hesitations about domestic adoption practices, and don't feel able to adopt a child with any "special" needs I would suggest either looking into an international program with a shorter wait (such as Korea or Ethiopia) or just waiting out the longer program for China. I know it's difficult to wait, but in adoption the "faster" way is not always the best way. Best of luck.

Question: Private adoption? I live in the UK. If I want to adopt a child (possibly from abroad) but don't want to go through social services, is there any way to arrange a private adoption, or an agency which deals with adoptions without doing the home study or other tests of a couple?

Answer: There are very good reasons why adoptions are made through social services. As I once saw someone say of a home study "if you think we're being judgemental - well, we are"! Edit to say: hun, I got curious and had a look at your other questions. I'm really sorry for your loss, but it really seems as if you have to get your own life together a bit before you can offer the love and support that a (possibly troubled or traumatised) adopted child needs. I'm sure you can do it, given time and support, and then your experiences of having serious troubles and overcoming them may actually be in your favour when trying to pass a home study.

Question: Is it better to go with a private adoption or an adoption agency when u are giving your child up for adoption?

Answer: To be honest, it all depends. How ethical are either of their practices, and balance that with the laws pertaining to relinquishment dependent upon which you choose. http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/publica… http://www.originsusa.org/secondarypages…

Question: Non-agency private adoption? Adoption has always been my first choice for having children, and I've read in several personal adoption accounts that you can actually network directly with birthparents to set up the adoption without using an agency or going through the homestudy process. Basically, both parties retain an attorney and after birth go to court to establish the new parental rights. My question is: How does this work from a court standpoint? Do you simply file a petition together? I understand how hard adoption can be, I've researched it fully and for several years. I will be retaining a lawyer for *any* adoption. This is a "legal process" question, not a "legal advice" question.

Answer: Private adoptions are not as easy or uncomplicated as you might think. I would strongly suggest you speak with two or more lawyers before even attempting this on your own.

Question: Should I go through an adoption agency or choose the private adoption option? I am currently pregnant with an unplanned pregnancy and I am looking at the adoption option. I want to provide my baby with the utmost care since I am unable to care for it. I wouldn't really mind going through an agency but it seems that the mother wouldn't get any advantages, like picking out the family, "honest" open adoptions (what if they dont keep in contact?) or you cant get money through an agency. I hear that some agencies may help with living expenses and education but what about people who want to adopt privately? how does that process take place and would you get any "better" advantages that way then with an agency? *my mistake, when I said "get money" I meant not for the baby, but for living and education purposes.

Answer: Open adoption arrangements are not enforceable, whether you go through an agency or a private adoption. Further, you should research the effects of relinquishment on both children and their mothers. Do not make any final decisions until after you have given birth, as you might find you've changed your mind. Investigate your other options before consigning your child to this life.

Question: Info on private adoption agencies? I have 2 adopted daughters through foster care and know the trials of that. However, I know nothing about private agencies and don't plan ever getting involved with one. I see many people against adoptions because of how the agencies are sketchy and deceitful. I was wondering how they work... like from start to finish... in summary. In my mind, the first step would be for the pregnant mom (or her parents) to actually contact the agency and show some interest in giving the child up for adoption. For those who have 'surrendered' (sorry, I don't know a better word to use) a baby, what made you interested in the idea? Were you forced by your parents? Did the agency make it sound like a wonderful experience? I realize that not every woman was coerced into doing it and some honestly felt it was best for the child- but more of what I read on here it is from a bad experience. Nothing will ever make me feel that ALL adoptions are negative and I know everyone agrees that a child in danger or neglected needs to be removed from the home. I am not trying to be offensive, just honestly looking for information so I can be more 'adoption knowledgeable'. Thanks a bunch

Answer: Well, had i gone the adoption route my journey would have started with a "Pregnancy Crisis Center." When i first found out i was pregnant, i was shocked! Me and my now husband had been very careful and statically i had like 5% chance of getting pregnant. Lucky me i guess! Anyway, I was having VERY sharp pains where my fallopian tubes are, which is a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. I had just recently moved to Nevada from Texas to spend the summer with my boyfriend. So i was in a lot of pain, scared and had no "womanly" support. (sorry but guys really just don't cut it when it comes to female reproduction). I called my mom and told her the news, she suggested that i goggle the Centers and set up an appointment. Oh if only she had known how they were going to treat me... Pretty much after confirming my pregnancy the first question they asked was "Do you plan to keep it?" Now to me this is the first seed of doubt they planted in young vulnerable girls head. I mean why wouldn't i keep it? I was 21, had the support of my family, had the support of the father who has a amazingly good job and I'm intelligence enough to raise my child on my own even if i didn't have that support system. All this i had told them before hand. Anyway, i answered "i wasn't sure" because of the pain i was in i thought it was ectopic and if it had been getting an abortion is the only option. Other wise the baby grows to big and makes the tubes rupture ending the life of the baby and greatly risking the life of the mother who would most likely bleed to death. They then gave me information on my "options." Which was mostly lies about abortion, mostly lies and the "good side" about adoption and little to NO information on parenting... Pretty much all of the adoption information they gave me, made me sound like some unfit whore of a mother who didn't deserve to parent her child and my child would suffer if i kept him... I was told the father would never stick around, hmm he is my husband now... I was told that after the father left me i would never found my "soul mate" because of the child. ~ yeah this is a load of crap. I was told my child would grow up with a low self esteem, do poorly in school, and most likely engage in criminal behavior if i raised him as a single mother. I was told that despite the "celebrity trend" of single parenthood, raising my child as a single mother was against biblical teaching. (aka i am a sinner who doesn't deserve my child) That I would get to name my child and still have contact with him or her via open adoption ~ BIGGEST LIE THEY TOLD ME!!! Open adoptions are NOT legally enforceable. They could close at anytime the adoptive parents feels like and most often do close. They also told that the father had no say in this decision, which i found funny since they just gone over how important it is to have a father figure in the child's life. Yet, the father has no say... I was told if i kept him i would never finish college and i would always be a poor struggling single mother. ~ hmm, i was raised poor and you know what i didn't have such a bad life... I was told that there was a more deserving Christian couple out there that could raise my child better. And so so much more (sorry i don't still have the papers they gave me because i kind of burned them in the fire place, it was pretty fun). But basically, they tried to take advantage of a poor, scared, vulnerable girl and filled her head with doubts, guilt and shame. When you are in that much distress and have new hormones coursing through your body, it is very very easy to be manipulated! I believed them for about 2 weeks, even contacted an agency or two and got the same manipulating crap from them. Finally, my intelligence kicked in and i realized everything they were telling me was total and complete CRAP! I burned all the information they gave and refused to pick up the phone when the center and agencies called. I then started to really research adoption and OH how my eyes were opened. My kid would have sold for 20-35k. Anyway, what i went through was wrong on so many levels. I was a scared hormonal girl seeking the help and advise from people who were suppose to be experts. Instead of encouragement to parent i was told how unfit and undeserving i was to mother my own flesh and blood... This is the reason i think almost all infant adoptions are wrong. There was NO need for me to place my child. The subject shouldn't have even been brought up, yet it was the main focus for the "options" for me. It was disgusting and i will be bitter about it for a very very long time... p.s. I'm 40 weeks as of today, seems the little booger just doesn't want to come out!

Question: I want to adopt a baby and was wondering how I can go about finding a birth mother without an adoption agency? Hi- Ok first of all my husband and I do own our own home and I have two children from a previous relationship but my husband has none. We would love to adopt a baby so that our family can grow! Of course we could just have one except I had my tubes tied after my second baby was born. And it is very costly to have it reversed besides I feel that God would want me to open my home, and heart to a child who is in need. Does anyone know of any women who are currently thinking of giving their child up for adoption or maybe a web site that would have some good information on this? We would like to do a private adoption rather then going thropugh an adoption agency I just think things will feel more personal that way! Thank you and God bless! Lina- First of all yes it is legal I did do some research! And from what I can tell I will have to hire an attorney but I wouldn't have to pay any agency fee's. But I just can't seem to find all the info I need ya know. Thanks for your input though. Plus with privatel adoption I will get to know the birth mother or a tleast be able to find important health history information which to me is VERY important. Joslin I just want to thank you for being so RUDE!!!! Before you give beef you should ask questions! yes I stated that we are looking to adopt a baby but he/she would not have to necessarily be an infant but we would like for them to be the youngest. And right now my youngest is almost five. So foster adoption is also something we are looking into already. So next time you want to be mean at least have enough information on the situation before you call someone out. Also Joslin this was just one of the alternatives I was looking into thanks for being a *****!

Answer: Wow...Joslin can get nasty can she not!!! However, if you go thru your local state system, it's possible that there is a certain amount of years that all of the children have to "be in the system" before they can be even considered for adoption. then the parents rights have to relinquished. So it's a process. I know here in SC in 5 or more years, but no less. Trust me on this, because I'm trying to adopt to, and this was told to me at one of the orientation meetings. I'm on here looking for the same though, so if you find more than one, just let me know. If I find something, i'll let you know. I think it's great that you are willing to adopt though, I don't believe some people realize the compassion and heart and alot of thought given to this decission. Especially since it impacts everyone in your life and not just you.

Question: Is there any such thing as private adoption in Wisconsin anymore? What does a private adoption involve compared to an agency adoption and how does monies compare? I am told that an adoption ranges from $15,000 - $30,000 dollars. Why does it cost so much?

Answer: http://www.findlaw.com/ Type in adoption and the area in Wisconsin you are in. Most adoption agency fees run for $20k-$40k. Those fees go towards paying birth mother living expenses, medical costs, home study and also towards the organization that you choose to use. If you choose to go through a lawyer who specializes in only adoption (which I most recommend) they are still an agency, they just don't have all those actual fees. They encourage their birth mothers to go on Medicaid so that there are no medical expenses and more money can be spent towards them and the baby once he/she is born.

Question: how can i find the adoption agency that handled a private adoption? someone i know.........their family that they introduced me to. well 1st. this woman has my paperwork on the private adoptioin of my twins. She handled just about everything all i did was read and sign. It was so scarce that I dont know the last name of the people that have my twins. This woman that" helped" me , wont give me paperwork. She is ignoring me wont answer the phone, she isnt home and hasnt been. I dont know what to do............Seeing how i'm being questioned by the system where are they? And its hard to say./ That doesnt look good on me?????????Now does it>? is there anything anything anyone can say or tell me that will help me in any way.

Answer: hmmm....this sounds a bit fishy. the system is asking YOU where your children are but supposedly they were adopted? The system would have access to any adoption info. Was there no lawyer? There should have been. You may have to call the authorities and tell them your story. Are you sure this private adoption was legal?

Question: Are private adoption agencies everywhere or just in the US and Canada?

Answer: No they are everywhere doll. Some countries they are just downright hard to find though.

Question: When it comes to adoption should there not be private adoption agencies but only state agencies? Should the US make all adoptions go through a foster to adopt program? How do we fix the current system? Do we limit advertising for private adoption agencies? People keep saying they want to adopt a baby in need, so if we only had an adoption agency through the the government then the child(ren) in the system we would know they came from a family that truly didn't want the baby or was abusive. Isn't that the whole point of adoption to save a child in need and not to retain a baby that's mother would have otherwise kept it? I plan on becoming a foster parent within the next year to help children that are in need of a loving home. lizardmama2 you have an excellent point. I think we need to limit budgetting for advertising adoption, keep adoption out of the hospitals, and let women decide for themselves what is best for their child. I do believe that abused and neglected children should be adopted out or at least to a fit family member.

Answer: No. There are actually some pregnant women who freely choose not to parent for reasons of their own. I don't think they should be forced to parent. I think adoption is an acceptable solution to an unwanted pregnancy. I don't think it should only be an option for people who abuse and neglect their child to the point where the child is taken from them. I do think those involved in adoption should be ethical and that no woman should be coerced into an adoption. It is sad that it does happen. However not all private adoptions involve coercion. I don't think the state is automatically better at avoiding coercion. also funds are limited and state workers are already over burdened with the current foster care load.

Question: What's with an adoption agency spamming? http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt… I loggedin and saw a couple questions with this person supposedly from a "private adoption agency" answering questions with spamming. I reported it too. It's been a while since I've seen something so low rent! And aside from the fact that it's a TOS violation, would someone looking to adopt Really choose to deal with someone spamming an adoption Q&A board?

Answer: Yeah- Ive reported good old "Maxine" on every question. You think that's low rent? There have been a few people here posing as paps who actually work as headhunters for adoption agencies. Times are hard for baby brokers when the supply gets low. Sad, but true. Just look at some of the people here who are actively seeking to adopt- as soon as a pregnant girl posts, BOOM- they make her a contact. Baby greed is a disease.

Question: international adoption agencies in glasgow? Can't find an adoption agency in glasgow!? I know to contact my local social servcies but would like more help with a voluntary or private adoption agency who specialise in international adoption. Please help!

Answer: perhaps try: St Margaret's Children & Family Care Society 274 Bath Street Glasgow G2 4JR Tel: 0141 332 8371 or if that is no good, check the link in the sources to help look for an agency, additionally, here is the link for the glasgow council service : http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/C… called "Families for Children" good luck to you, and ignore anyone that gives you any grief over your decision, it's wonderful that you are willing to give a child a chance at a happy life.