When you’ve decided to adopt a child, and you know you want to work through an agency, one of the most challenging tasks can be selecting the appropriate agency to handle your adoption. It can be a complicated and daunting process, but here are some tips for making certain that the agency you choose will be the right one.
Your First Step
There are literally thousands of adoption agencies in the United States, so you’ll need to narrow down your search substantially. One of the first questions you’ll need to ask yourself is whether you want to adopt domestically or internationally. Some agencies only handle domestic adoptions, while others really specialize in international adoptions. Furthermore, some international agencies have sub-specialties, doing a lot of their work in a few countries. In addition, you’ll want to determine whether you want to work with a local agency or a national/international agency. The local agency will typically provide a more personal experience and you’ll likely have access to more local post-adoption resources. A national agency will typically have more contacts and resources. You’ll want an agency with a lot of experience, but you can expect to pay a little more for that experience. In addition, there are advantages and disadvantages to the size of an agency. A larger agency will provide a bigger pool of candidates, but a smaller agency will typically give you more personal access to caseworkers.
Interview a Number of Agencies
Once you’ve narrowed your list to between five and ten, it’s time to ask questions. The initial questions can be solicited through an e-mail, but it’s always better, if possible to meet with agency representatives in person. Don’t get caught up in the numbers, though. It’s important to know how many adoptions the agency handles a year, and how long the average wait is, but it’s just as important to determine that you’ll enjoy working with the agency.
Contact Us
To set up an appointment, call us in Haddonfield at 856-429-5005 or in Woodbury at 856-845-2555. We can also be reached in Philadelphia at 215-563-2150 or by e-mail. For clients with personal injury or workers’ compensation claims, we offer a free initial consultation, and will represent you on a contingency basis, only charging attorney fees if we recover compensation for you.
Our offices are open weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Weekend and evening appointments may be arranged upon request. We will also come to your home or the hospital, if necessary.