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Deciding whether to use an adoption agency is a big decision. As an adoptive mama myself and the founder of Adoption & Beyond, I have over 30 years of experience in the adoption field. I’m a bit biased, but I do believe adoption agencies can be well worth the investment – IF you find the right fit for your family. Let’s break down some of the key pros and cons.
The Value of Adoption Agencies
The biggest benefit of working with an adoption agency is that we’re your one-stop-shop. From conducting your home study to matching you with an expecting parent to providing pre- and post-adoption support, agencies handle everything under one roof (except the legal work – you’ll still need an adoption attorney for that piece).
This comprehensive approach has several advantages:
1. Expert knowledge and experience to guide you through the complex adoption process
Adoption agencies are staffed by seasoned professionals who live and breathe adoption. We understand all the intricate legal requirements, state-specific regulations, and mountains of paperwork involved. I’ve been doing this for over three decades, and most of my staff have been with me for many years. Our deep expertise ensures every “i” is dotted and every “t” is crossed, avoiding costly mistakes or delays.
When you work closely with an experienced agency team, their knowledge rubs off on you, too. By the end of the process, many adoptive parents feel like “mini-attorneys” themselves! But you don’t have to become a legal expert – that’s what your attorney is there for. We’ll sweat the small stuff so you can focus on the big picture.
2. Streamlined services to minimize delays, mistakes, and juggling multiple professionals
The adoption process involves numerous steps, professionals, and moving parts. Agencies streamline everything by serving as your single point of contact and quarterback. We coordinate all the pieces from home study to placement under one roof. You don’t have to play phone tag with five different providers or worry about important details falling through the cracks between them.
3. Access to vetted adoption resources like counselors, financial assistance, and more
Adoption agencies are plugged into a broad network of resources to support your journey. We connect you with trusted professionals for any services we don’t provide in-house, from therapists familiar with adoption to financial aid opportunities. You tap into the relationships we’ve built, so you don’t have to start from scratch.
4. Emotional support to help you navigate the ups and downs of the adoption journey
Adoption isn’t just paperwork—it’s emotional. And when things get stressful (because they will), you need an agency that actually takes the time to answer your questions and explain what’s happening. That’s us. We don’t disappear when things get complicated.
Having a consistent, experienced team that knows your story inside and out makes all the difference. Imagine dealing with a failed match or post-placement issue with a revolving door of professionals who don’t really understand what you’ve been through (that sounds like a large national agency). No thanks! You need people who already know your story.
5. Significant time savings by having professionals manage details and challenges
The adoption process is insanely time-consuming, especially if you’re trying to DIY. There are a million decisions to make, tasks to juggle, and fires to put out. Agencies lift that burden by handling all the details and navigating any curveballs that come your way. We’re the project managers, so you can focus on becoming a parent.
We know how to handle the red tape that trips up most people. With decades of experience under our belts, we know how to troubleshoot almost any challenge that crops up, without wasting precious time and energy. Those efficiencies add up, often helping families adopt faster than they could on their own.
6. Peace of mind knowing seasoned experts are overseeing every step
Adoption is a life-changing decision with huge stakes – the future of your family! For many people, it’s the most significant investment they’ll ever make, not just financially but emotionally. You’re not just choosing a service, you’re putting your trust in someone to help build your family.
When you work with an experienced agency, we handle the complicated parts so you don’t have to decode state adoption laws in your spare time. (Trust me, there are better uses of your energy.) You can focus on actually getting ready for a baby—setting up a nursery, figuring out whether you really need a wipe warmer, that sort of thing.
For many families, especially those new to adoption, having professionals manage the process is worth the cost. It means you spend your time on what actually matters instead of Googling ‘what is ICPC’ at 2 am.” (Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children – super bureaucratic)
When Agencies May Not Be the Best Fit
On the flip side, there are situations where working with an all-inclusive agency may not be necessary, especially for:
- Experienced adoptive families who feel confident managing parts of the process themselves
- Those pursuing identified adoption where an expecting parent has already been located
- Families are comfortable with a more self-directed “DIY” approach to save on costs
The main benefits of foregoing an agency are:
1. Potential cost savings by hiring only the services you absolutely need (typically a home study provider and adoption attorney at a minimum)
An agency’s fees cover comprehensive services and support, from counseling to matching to placement and beyond. But some families, often those who have adopted before, feel they only need an à la carte helping hand rather than the whole shebang. In that case, it may be more cost-effective to contract directly with individual professionals as needed.
For example, you might hire a licensed adoption agency to handle your home study only, then tap your own network of family, friends, coworkers, your doctor, and the mail carrier to find an expecting mother match, and loop in legal counsel to finalize the placement. Depending on your situation, going independent might cost less upfront—but you’re also doing all the work yourself and taking on all the risk.
2. More flexibility and control over selecting your own adoption professionals and customizing the process
When you work with an agency, you’re buying into their program, team, and approach. Some agencies are fairly rigid with set procedures, while others allow more wiggle room. But at the end of the day, you have to play by their rulebook to some extent.
Flying solo gives you freedom to handpick every member of your adoption team, from the social worker to the lawyer to the counselor. You can interview multiple providers for each role and assemble your dream team. And if one person isn’t the right fit, you can replace them without having to start over.
You also have flexibility to adjust the process as you go. If you’re someone who likes being hands-on and making all the decisions yourself, independent adoption gives you that control.
However, it’s critical to understand that in an independent adoption, the adoptive family assumes significantly more responsibility and must be extremely organized. For the well-prepared, it can be a rewarding way to grow your family. But you need to be realistic about the time and effort involved.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, whether an agency is “worth it” depends on your unique circumstances and comfort level. If you’re unsure, talk to multiple agencies and attorneys to understand your options. Join support groups and ask others about their experiences. Really reflect on how much professional assistance you’ll need.
And remember, no matter which path you choose, it’s essential to do your homework upfront. Vet your adoption professionals carefully. Ensure their values and approach align with your family’s. Take the time to build a solid team you can rely on, because adoption is an emotional rollercoaster under the best of circumstances. Having ethical, experienced professionals you trust can make all the difference in your journey.
Whether you decide to work with an agency or go the independent route, understanding the three common myths and mistakes in adoption will save you time, money, and a lot of unnecessary stress. In my free training, I cover exactly what these are and how to sidestep them.
Ready to start your adoption journey or just need someone to answer your million questions? Reach out to Adoption & Beyond – we’ve got you.
This blog post is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Our services are not financial, business, or legal advice. The information presented here is not a guarantee that you will obtain any results or earn any money using our content. Adoption & Beyond, Inc. owns all copyrights to the materials presented here unless otherwise noted. Open adoption may not be available or legally enforceable in all states, as laws regarding Post Adoption Contact Agreements (PACAs) vary. Make sure you check with your agency and lawyer.
