We made it back from our trip yesterday - was hoping to make a post beforehand but things were hectic. Anyway, someone wise suggested that we take one more big vacation before babytime, so we did, and it was a blast! Good to be home now too. Michelle will probably post pictures to facebook soon as they get sorted out (several hundred).
Today's post is mostly for reference for others that are or will be looking for adoption agencies. Thought I would just write a little about each agency describing what we found.
It's hard to beat Google when searching for agencies, but there tons to sift through unless you can get very specific. The most thorough list I found was here:
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/adoption_and_foster_care/adoption_partners/private.asp#3
although it is not complete. Our search criteria narrowed things down considerably: Private domestic infant adoption. We are also interested agencies that share our faith, which many in Texas do.
In general, here are the trends we noticed:
- Most agencies are pushing for open adoptions (terms will be described more in later posts), meaning much interaction with the birth parents. However, each agency defines "open" differently in terms of amount and duration.
- Staff size seems to drive both annual placements and fees. Larger companies place more children each year and consequently have more overhead.
- Private infant adoption usually has the highest costs associated compared to other types of adoption, despite the non-profit aspect. Besides legal and social worker, and several misc fees, many of these agencies take care of the birth mothers. So not just medical costs, but sometimes providing housing and other services as well. The agencies are an outreach to mothers just as much as children.
- Aside from having a home study (state mandated), most agencies require adoptive parents read some books from a reading list. Despite being about adoption they are mostly just good parenting advice.
The agencies, in no particular order:
- Covenant Kids: Unfortunately not currently doing infant adoption, although have before, and maybe will again. Very faith-oriented. Have an office in Plano. Primarily foster agency right now.
- Christian Homes & Family Services: Based out of Abilene: Average 40 placements per year. Been in business for 50 years. Experience with adoptive families described as "intimate." Not sure exactly what that means, but they did seem very caring on the phone. Unfortunately their fee structure is prohibitive: Basically 16k + 14% gross annual income. This is up there with Gladney.
- Inheritance: Witchita Falls. > 17k. This was not one of top choices as they did not seem very welcoming. Do not have much more info, so still a backup.
- Generations: Waco. Flat 17.5k + case worker mileage. Average 9 month turnaround. 15-20 placements/year. Very faith-oriented. Pray with families. Only drawback is they expect what I call wide-open relationships: visitations with the birth parents continue after placement and for 18 years!
- Texas Baptist Home: Waxahachie (sp?). Up to 20k. Do ~10 placements/year. Openness of relationship with birth parents is negotiable. Seem to be genuinely concerned about all parties.
- Buckner: Dallas. 25k + some extra legal fees. Not sure of volume, but 2nd largest. However, the private infant program fills up fast. They also have many international programs. As an organization their faith seems to be lip service, but maybe the individuals are different.
We chose to pursue the last two, and as mentioned before, our foot is in the door of Texas Baptist. Another thing to note is that the reported average 9-18month waiting time is measured from the time of application submission. Waiting to be invited to an orientation adds more months depending on the size of the agency. Being young allegedly helps though, as agencies and birth mothers prefer younger couples. Hopefully this will give us an edge.
Some agencies have a lot of information on their website if you dig for it. Otherwise, they are glad to send an information packet with a simple phone call.
