Agency Adoption

Adoption agencies are broken down into two different groups:

• Through the local public agency (also known as foster care, child welfare, social services);
• Through licensed private agencies (permissible in most states and many foreign countries).
• (http://adopting.adoption.com/child/what-are-the-different-types-of-adoption.html)

There are also pros and cons when dealing with an agency:

Pros:

1)    Cost. Usually the costs are established from the beginning and the adoptive couples have a good idea of what costs they may encounter throughout the process.

2)    Agencies have to adhere to more state and federal laws: protecting the adoptive couple as well as the birthparents.

3)    They can provide counseling and education classes for both sides as well as they create a safe third party to help facilitate the adoption.

Cons:

1)    The processes can be slower, more red tape, and the wait can be a lot longer to be matched with a potential birth mother.

2)    Not all agencies are the same and a couple has to protect themselves, they need to do their homework and make sure they are working with a reputable company.

3)    Even though you have a team on your side, you still have to be your best advocate. An agency has many couples that they are representing and you have to make sure you don’t get lost.

The biggest thing when working with an agency is they can be a help as well as a hindrance but whatever you decide to do make sure you do your homework!