[CryingInside]

Does anyone have any suggestions for questions to ask when interviewing agencies? We are going to begin interviewing and attending some seminars in July/August. (I really don't think I can move any slower for dh LOL!)

[sarah16]

#1 Ask about when you have to pay the different fees.
#2 Ask for any materials they can send you.
#3 Ask about how many couples they work with at a time.
#4 Get a feel for who you are talking to, are they friendly or do they sound like you are wasting their time.
#5 Ask about how long it takes for the homestudy, really if it takes over 6 months then they are too busy for you.

I would go to adoption.com, they have articles for everything!! Good luck!

[mlb]

How long on average does an adoption take?
Who will be my contact person?
How often will I be working with them? Make sure that you speak to that person and feel comfortable with him/her. Nothing is worse than not liking a person that you have to deal closely with.
What are your fees and which fees are NOT fixed?
How many children did you place last year?
Do you have any programs post adoption for your familes (play groups, seminars, colture days, etc.)?
How long does it take to complete the homestudy?
I made a question spreadsheet to fill in and asked each agency all of the questions. That way I went to DH with all of the information in an easy to read format, which was a great help.

[Kari]

I've only had experience with domestic adoption, so these are some questions I would ask if that's the case:

-like Sarah said, what are the fees and when are they due (we paid 1/3 upfront for homestudy and such, the rest is due at finalization...so 6 months after the baby is home)
-# of children placed annually compared to the # of couples that enter the book
-average wait until matched
-amount of counseling expecting mom receives prior to and following the adoption (if agency is also a counseling agency)
-are education classes required
-how does the termination of parental rights (TPR) process occur in your area
-how do they advertise for you - can you advertise on your own (i.e. ParentProfiles.com)

[CryingInside]

Thanks! Right now we have our first seminars and interviews starting on July 10th so I am working on getting spreadsheets set up for each agency. I need to get a big folder to put all of the information in. Will I look like a huge nerd if I walk in with a gigantic folder?! LOL!

[mlb]

If you look like a huge nerd I can't imagine what I looked like I have a 5 inch binder for each adoption and brought it to the agency several times. Any paperwork, bill, item that we got in regards to our adoption went into the binder. It was so much easier at tax time to just take the bill section out and hand it to the accountant.
BTW after you choose your agency, ask them who they recommend as an aco****ant. An accountant who know adoption tax laws and knows what you can write off. Good luck!

[CryingInside]

Thanks Michelle. I put together a binder last night with the questions for each agency typed up and put in there. That way I can just grab the binder when we get ready to go anywhere to talk to anyone and put my notes in and it is all in one place. Then I figure once we go with a specific agency we can take the other agencies notes out and just use the binder for everything else. Dh thinks I'm nuts, but I have to be organized or I will go nuts!

I will definately be asking about an accountant. I didn't even think about that, but it would probably help to talk to one before we even get started to find out exactly how much and what kinds of things can be taken off on taxes.

[mia23]

Steph,

Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you . I hope you are doing well. It sounds like you are really taking charge of this. I am very impressed with your organization and taking the lead. Sending lots of prayers and hugs your way. Keep us updated please!!

[CryingInside]

Thanks Mia! Well, I guess someone has to be organized LOL! DH told me last night he would much rather me take the lead and he follow along

These men.....he said he just wants to come home from work one night and have a baby at home! He cracks me up so much. I got a great book that has really good questions at the end to discuss, so I am giving him the basics of each chapter then we are discussing the questions at the end of the book. Last night was why do we want children. It's a tough question since I've never really tried to put it in words.

Anyways, I am babbling now....can you tell I am bored at work and really wanting to go home and do some adoption research?!?

[Josephine]

Thank you ladies, these questions really help. Dh and I had our first class last night. We have 9 more to go before we start our home study.