I'm sure it's been debated

Private Domestic vs Agency Domestic.

How did you choose?

Considering private domestic.

Re: I'm sure it's been debated

I know people who have done both.

We decided on the agency route. After talking to several people and some in the field, it seems that agencies have a lot more exposure than attorneys.

The main difference between domestic and international is that in a domestic agency a birth mother picks you. You are not on a waiting list. Which means someone might wait 2 years for a birthmother to pick them while a new prospect in the agency might be picked in 2 months. There is no couple given priority based on seniority with the agency (in theory!). This is why it is very important to pick an agency that has success stories with couples/stories similar to yours. For example if an agency mostly places children with single people, it might be harder for them to place a child with a married couple. KWIM?

In general there is more work involved with an attorney. Setting up a 1-800 number, advertising, etc..

A full service agency, will usually offer a 100% service from home study to being the main point of contact, finding you the birth mother, doing the councelling for the birth mother, etc... Think "turn key" process.

Re: I'm sure it's been debated

Hi there!
We're currently debating private domestic vs agency domestic as well.
Right now, I'm leaning toward agency domestic because it seems like there's more support and some of the legwork is done for you. It sounds to me like a lot of the work is done by the adoptive parents in private domestic. In particular, I am concerned with keeping track of the advertising and fielding calls and screening of birth mothers. At this point in my life, I'm not sure I can devote the time to it all that I'm guessing you'd need to be successful.

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Are there age limits in agencies? Any other criteria that you have to meet?

Re: I'm sure it's been debated

There is no age limit for domestic adoption in the US.

Every agency has their own policies. They may specialize with special needs or minority.

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DH and I are considering adoption.
Our therapist recommended this support/advocacy group. adoptive parents committee

We went to the February meeting and found it very helpful and informative.

Re: I'm sure it's been debated

As a follow up to my question, we went to an info session last night in White Plains. It's with Forever Families Agency. They are a small agency and the founders are husband and wife. She is a csw and he is an attorney and csw in private practice for adoption. He is not affiliated with the agency but has his own private practice. I got to speak with him as well last night.

It's our first step here. I liked this agency since it's small and hand holdy. Also I can see the attorney for the finalization.

I think with a large agency I am afraid I will be one of thousands and it may take a long time. With private I'm afraid that I will make the wrong decision about a birth mother and get too emotional.

These decisions are extremely hard.

Re: I'm sure it's been debated

Good luck!

Questions I would ask. How many children do they place each year? How many family cases do they take per year? What is the % of successful adoption? Are the adoptive parents similar to your family situation? How sucessful has this agency been with families like you/your situation?

Re: I'm sure it's been debated

Re: I'm sure it's been debated

I have adopted internationally not domestically but we did the endless agency search too. I think the questions from the pp are great. I think the main thing in choosing any adoption agency or attorney is the feel you get from them. You will be relying on these people for one of the most important things in your life so you need to have a major comfort zone. As long as they can meet your criteria, the size of the agency really doesn't matter.

Adoption is all about love and a little bit of luck so go with your gut on who you want to help you through this journey.

Good luck.

Re: I'm sure it's been debated

Re: I'm sure it's been debated

Re: I'm sure it's been debated

I"m in the same predicament....have you guys made any decisions since the last post??

Re: I'm sure it's been debated

me too...looking for someone who is starting this process too...would be nice to have someone to talk to!!!

FM me..would love to hear from someone!

Message edited 10/6/2011 5:45:55 PM.