In today’s “Ask An Adoption Question”, Allison asks about how to get started on the adoption process.
Tim,
Thank you so much for your wonderful site! I’m just starting the adoption process. I’m truly at a loss of where to go to find assistance with the process. I don’t know if I should use an agency, attorney, or any other sources. I want to adopt, but where do I start?!
Allison
Hi, Allison!
Thanks for the email and nice comments about my site. Congratulations on starting the adoption process! I totally understand being at a loss about where to start and where to find help. I’ve written several articles about starting the process.
Here are a few:
How to start? Here’s the first step in your adoption journey and
7 steps to domestic infant adoption.
Here’s what I would do if I were in your shoes, just starting the infant adoption journey:
1. FINANCES.
I’d carefully look at my financial situation and determine how much adoption budget I have. Domestic infant adoption is expensive because of the help you need. You’ll need a homestudy completed, you’ll likely hire an adoption professional to help you connect with a prospective birthmom, you may need to travel to another state, etc.
Here’s some places to learn how to evaluate your adoption budget, learn about adoption costs, and how to fund your adoption.
InfantAdoptionGuide.com/costs-of-adoption — this is an article filled with resources and information about costs, budgeting, and funding your adoption.
How anyone can afford to adopt – interview with Cherri Walrod of Resources4Adoption.com — for more than ten years Cherri’s spent countless hours researching financing options for adoption – including grants, loans, and fundraisers. You’ll get plenty of tips and information on how to afford adoption.
How to fund your adoption without debt – an interview with author and speaker Julie Gumm
Adoption Grants with Becky Fawcett of HelpUsAdopt.org
2. HOMESTUDY.
I would research who in my area can complete an adoption homestudy. You will likely have more than one agency that can complete a homestudy for you and they may not have the same requirements or fees.
Example: in our area we had a couple choices, one was significantly cheaper and faster. Search on the internet for homestudy providers in your area. You can also try 1-800-HomeStudy or www.1-800-homestudy.com
3. CONSULTANTS.
I would research and seriously consider paying an adoption consultant. They have the connections, experience and your best interest in mind so you can adopt faster and with less risk of scams.
Here are some resources:
InfantAdoptionGuide.com/IAG017-how-adoption-consultants-can-help-you-with-nicole-witt
Adoption advertising and networking: An interview with Hal Kaufman of MyAdoptionAdvisor.com
4. REFERENCES.
I would find and talk to other people who have adopted. When we first started, we found Lifetime Adoption Center – we spoke to many of their references. Now, we’ve adopted twice with their help and we LOVE them. In fact, we are adopting a third time with Lifetime.
Here’s the link to read our first two adoption stories: InfantAdoptionGuide.com/about-me
5. ADOPTION PROFESSIONALS.
If we were starting from scratch, we’d talk to several adoption agencies and attorneys as well as Lifetime. There are lots of local and nationwide agencies.
There are full service agencies such as American Adoptions who walk with you through the entire process. They’ll complete your homestudy, they have an attorney and social worker on staff, they’ll help you create a profile, and much more.
I’ve interviewed American Adoptions Executive Director Shawn Kane on the IAG podcast. Here’s that interview: InfantAdoptionGuide.com/IAG006-adoption-agency-review-american-adoptions
Finding the right adoption professional depends on your adoption budget, where you live, if you are OK with adopting from another state, and if you are comfortable working with them. Go check out Ask an Adoption Question #2: How do we pick the right adoption agency for us?
There are many more articles and interviews that will help you – just go to InfantAdoptionGuide.com/start-here.
Thank you for the great question!
Do you have an infant adoption question for me? Send me your question, and I’ll answer it.
