One of the first decisions a prospective adoptive family will need to make is to choose an adoption agency to support their adoption plan. Finding an adoption agency can be daunting and frustrating with so many agencies trying to get the attention of adoptive parents via print advertising, social media, and internet sites. It is important that a prospective adoptive family work with an agency where they feel comfortable and confident. As adoptive parents research adoption agencies they should consider the following.
An adoption agency should:
- Guarantee the adoptive parents that they have the right to make their own decisions regarding their plan of adoption without influence.
- Educate the adoptive family regarding all their adoption options
- Have the expertise in the type of adoption the prospective adoptive parents wish to pursue (e.g. domestic, international, older child, children with special needs).
- Provide training specific to the needs of the family and their adoption plan (e.g. attachment, adopting an older child, trans-racial adoption, parenting a child with special needs, family transitions, open adoption relationships, etc).
- Complete home study investigations in a thorough and timely manner.
- Refer the adoptive family to attorneys specializing in adoption (if needed).
- Outreach to potential birth parents
- Assist with the matching of adoptive parents and birth parent(s)
- Support the prospective adoptive family and birth family as they build and maintain a relationship (if wanted)
- Place a child into their home
- Ensure any post adoption contact agreement is honored
- Provide post adoption support and supervision services
In international adoption:
- Refer to international adoption placement agencies (if needed)
- Provide education and technical assistance regarding the international adoption process (e.g. dossier, immigration, citizenship, etc)
- Provide post adoption support and supervision services
Support the adoptive family’s emotional needs as they proceed with their adoption plan.
The right adoption agency is key to ensuring a positive and successful outcome for the child and adoptive family. Family Connections, Inc., an authorized New York State adoption agency, provides all the services needed to support prospective adoptive families. For more information about adoption please contact Renee or Anita at Family Connections, Inc. at 607-756-6574 or 1-800-535-5556 or renee@adoptfamilyconnections.org. You can alos download our Free Home Study Guide by clicking below.
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