What Adoption Agencies do?

When looking to adopt, one faces the decision of whether to use an agency. This is not a simple decision, as agencies provide many support services to ease the process, but they can also be costly. Plus, it raises even more questions: Where can I find an agency near me? How do I know if the agency is reputable? Do I choose a public or private agency? This article aims to answer some of these questions, or at least aide in finding the answers.

First of all, there are two types of adoption agencies-- public and private. A public agency is run by the government (either state or regional) and supported by public monies. These agencies generally assist in the adoption of foster care youth. Private adoptions agencies, on the other hand are run by a private entity. They are licensed by the state in which they operate, but are funded privately. These agencies can be of assistance in all types of adoptions.

A major advantage of using an adoption agency is that they do all of the "searching" for you. They will do the work of finding and matching a child to you, based on specified criteria. Support options are also generally available through adoption agencies, especially private ones. These services include counseling, referrals, and both pre- and post-adoption education. The downside to all of this is, of course, cost. It is estimated that an adoption can cost from $5,000 to $40,000.

Adoption costs money, there's no doubt about that. However, when beginning the adoption process, you may encounter certain costs which should raise red flags. For instance, beware of any agency which requires payment of fees immediately after application. There will usually be a small fee up front, but otherwise proceed with caution. Do not deal with any agency that feels or has been reported to be disreputable.

That being said, ask about costs upfront. There may be a sliding scale, and there are resources that exist to defray the costs of the adoption process.

Another factor to consider is any specific focus which you would like the agency to take. Some agencies, for example, specialize only in placing bi-racial children, while others focus solely on children with special needs. Be sure to ask about any such emphasis before choosing an agency.

Of course, before you can begin doing all of this, you must locate an agency in your area. Adoption.com maintains an online directory of adoption agencies across the United States, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom. Here you can browse the clickable map, or search by state, category and agency name. There is also the option of selecting a country to adopt from internationally. The directory is available online at http://directory.adoption.com.

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This, of course, only answers a few of the myriad questions that people face when deciding to adopt. Prospective adoptive parents are encouraged to do as much research and ask as many questions as possible before beginning the adoption process. It can be a tedium of red tape, but in the end it is worth the struggle, and knowing the length of the struggle beforehand can make it that much easier.

Domestic Adoption types

With Hollywood adoptions being all the rage, exemplified by mega-couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, adoption has been pushed to the forefront of the collective American consciousness. People generally understand what adoption is, but there remain some obscure details about adoption that go unknown. For instance, are there different kinds of adoption? What is the adoption process like? What's the difference between adoptive children and foster children?

These are all important questions, each of which this article will touch on briefly. First of all, there are two major types of adoption: domestic and international. This article will focus on the various kinds of domestic adoption in the United States. The most important thing to keep in mind is that once an adoption has been finalized, adoptive children and biological children are no different under the eyes of the law. Whether adopted or born into the family, all children are equal members of the family system.

Open Adoption:
There are actually two definitions for this term. When used in the United States, open adoption most commonly means an adoption in which the birth parent(s) is(are) involved in the process and remain so even after finalization. Typically, birth parents will choose to meet prospective adoptive parents before choosing to place their child in their care. This is usually done before the baby is born. The two sets of parents can agree that the birth parents will be allowed to remain involved in the child's life, albeit in a non-parental role. Phone calls, letters, and regular visits are not uncommon in this sort of arrangement.

This term can also be used to indicate a type of adoption in which the adopted person has access to their own files and records. In the United Kingdom, for example, adopted children are granted this right upon turning 18.

Semi-Open Adoption:
A modification of the above arrangement, semi-open adoption involves significantly less involvement in the child's life on the part of the birth parent(s). Adoptive parents and birth parents may still meet face to face prior to undertaking the adoption process, but typically there is no physical contact beyond that. The birth parents and the child may occasionally exchange photos or letters.

Closed Adoption:
In this type of adoption, minimal information is shared between birth and adoptive parents prior to placement. After the finalization of the adoption, adoptive and birth parents share no information. This type of adoption can take place in cases of child abuse or neglect, or when the birth parent(s) has(have) specified that they want no contact.

Foster Care Adoption:
This occurs when a foster child is adopted by their foster parents. Children may be placed in foster care for one of a number of reasons, one being abuse or neglect. They may remain foster children-- meaning that the foster parents are guardians, but the children are not legally their own-- or the foster parents sometimes choose to adopt them. Upon finalization of the adoption, the foster child officially becomes the child of their former foster parents.