My husband and I have recently decided to adopt internationally. We're looking specifically at Ethiopia right now but are considering other countries as well. What I desperately need is some advice on choosing an agency.
I've done some research and requested info from several wonderful agencies and just can't decide which one to go with.
If anyone has any personal experience with an agency, I'd like to hear about it. How was the communication, the home study, the agency's fees??? I'm finding that some can be quite a bit more expensive than others. Bad or good, I just need some opinions here! I'd prefer a Christian agency but am willing to consider ANY of them.
Thanks so much in advance...
Thanks so much for all your support and advice! America World Adoption Agency is what we've decided on for our Ethiopian adoption.
The only problem is that I've now fallen in love with a nine year old "waiting child" from another agency. I'll be posting another question about that one...
We are using Childrens Hope International to adopt from Ethiopia and I love them... I have also heard good things about Gladney.
Hi,
We've had a great experience with A Helping Hand. We are adopting from China and they have been very supportive and on top of everything. They are a Christian agency but I'm not sure if they help with the program you are looking for. I have more info on them if you'd like to email me - most of the fees/info are on their website. We paid the fees so long ago that I'm not sure what they are (we have been in the process for 3-1/2 yrs now).
We wish you the best & will pray for a speedy adoption. thanks!
How exciting! We adopted our son in June 2006 from Russia and also have a bio daughter. We used EAC - European Adoption Consultants - www.eaci.com. I do not know if they have an Ethiopia program. They were fantastic. It took only 9 months from the day we signed to bringing our son home. I would recommend them in a heartbeat.
Personally, I gravitated toward the large agencies - more experience, more contacts, more countries and regions. Some people want the smaller ones for more hand-holding, etc. Also - look at the ages of the children available in other countries. Since you already have kids, this may make a difference. About 1 yr old is the youngest available in Russia. Most agencies recommend you do not adopt out of birth order if possible, so if your children are very young, you'd want to find a country where it's possible to adopt very young. This is not a hard-and-fast rule, just a guideline usually.
Russia is expensive - most adoptions average between 28K to 40K. Many countries are less expensive. I would recommend you really think about what country is best for you and your family - not just what country is cheapest or fastest. Consider where you live and what other races, ethnicities, etc. your child will mingle with. It may be a consideration... for example, a family in a very white rural area may find more adjustment hurdles for their child who is Chinese or another visibly different race. A family who lives in a multi-cultural area or has a mixed, diverse family may view things differently.
Home study - regardless of what agency you choose, they do not do the home study (unless your agency is in your state and has licensed Social workers on staff.) You do your homestudy with a social worker licensed in your state. The fee is usually 1000 to 1500. We used Oasis for our homestudies and have been very pleased with them and our social worker.
I can't even speculate on the costs for Ethiopia - each country is SO different and some agencies are very all-inclusive, others may have lots of outside fees that you cover yourself.
I'd be happy to discuss this further, either by email or on the phone if I can be of any help to you. I don't know if my experiences with Russian adoption will be helpful, but I can offer advice and info on the general paperwork stuff and adjustment issues for your family and your new child. All the best to you! Please don't hesitate to contact me further!
S. C,
We used Commomwealth International Adoption agency and we just loved them. They kept us so informed on everything. We have a beautiful 5 year old from Colombia. She was 2.5 months when we got her. After talking to many couples who adopted at the same time we did, I larned that they were not as informed as we were on everything. I was glad to know what was going on and what was coming up. Give them a call or check there website out.
Jennifer
Hi there - My sister-in-law works for Dillon Southwest, an agency here in Scottsdale. They mainly do adoptions from Korea and China, however - I know you mentioned Ethiopia. Just thought I would give you their name if you would be interested - if you want more information or my sister in law's name, feel free to send me a message. Good luck!!
I don't have any experience working directly with the agency, but I know the ladies at Building Arizona Families are wonderful people. Good luck!
I babysit for a lady named Cindi Rose and what you need is what she does, I don't know the exact title of her job but she works with people who are looking to adopt, she has helped with adoptions from China and here in the US. I know she can help you with this and is a very nice and professional person. If you are interested I can give you her number just let me know, I know she could help answer any questions you may have.
I would check out Hope Worldwide International. I have a number of friends who have adopted through this organization and they say wonderful things about it. They are based out of the southeast, but if they can not work with you due to local, they should be able to connect you with other reputable agencies in this area. Best wishes and lots of kudo's to you!
I have two sets of in-laws currently in the process of adopting through America World Adoption (www.awaa.org), which is a Christian organization. This is the same agency that Stephen Curtis Chapman used in his adoptions. My in-laws have been very supported through the agency. Best wishes!
COngratulations on you decision to adopt. My husband and I adopted our daughter from China. We just celebrate our one year anniversary of adopting her back in February. It is an amazing journey. We used Children's Hope International. They were awesome. I also know they have any Ethiopia program. They helped with every step of the process and we always felt well informed. While we were in China We never had to worry about a thing they were so organized and on top of everything. They are based out of St. Louis but they have a local rep her. If you go to there website they have all her contact info. www.childrenshope.com
Best of luck to you and your husband.
Wow!!!! Hi S....
I am soo excited for you! And happy for all of those who adopt children. There are so many children that need people like you, bless your heart... To all of you that care so much
take care S.!
I have two children adopted from South Korea. We went with a local agency in Scottsdale called Dillon Southwest and it was a wonderful experience. I believe they primarily do Korea & China adoptions, but you may want to give them a call or look on their website (www.dillonsouthwest.org) to see what other countries they work with. Because they are local, we only had to deal with one agency and they made the process so easy.
We adopted two boys in December of 2006 from Eurpoe and used Commonweatlth Adoptions. They have a good website and the people who work there are amazing. If you are interested you should contact one of the organizations near where you live from the website.
I know that you were saying that you wanted to adopt from Ethiopia, but I thought I would throw this out there. We are currently living in Canada but are from Tucson Arizona. My sister and her husband tried everything for 10 long years to have a baby and finally decided on adoption they ended up adopting from Louisiana. I believe that the prose’s from them filling out there paperwork to getting the baby was under a year. They also now have about 25 friends that went the same rout and no one waited longer than one year. They ended up getting my wonderful nephew the day that he was born (usually they do not give them to you from this agencies for three days) They looked into lots of countries and lots of agencies and finally decided to go this way (it was less costly, faster and they were guaranteed a infant 3 days old) He is African American and one of the most handsome little guys that I know! Our family has been so blessed to have him in our life. (I felt like I had to mention that, well because some people care)
If you wanted to know more I am sure my sister would be happy to share her story.
I guess another benefit if you adopt in the US you would not have to go thought the citizenship paperwork because we are currently living in Canada and he was from the states they are still working on getting his Canadian citizenship and I know that is allot of work.
Just some food for thought!
Thanks
Best of luck on your journey- It is going to be so rewording!
my father is an attorney who specializes in family law - you might want to call him for advice on what agencies are good - let me know if you want his name and number (in Tucson)
