Hi Jen, welcome aboard! I'm from Queens, NY myself, but now live in Arizona. My Dad still lives on Long Island and I make it back every couple of years or so.
Your agency doesn't have to be local....ours is in Kentucky. Just find one that you're comfortable with.
I agree with TSMom's suggestion to order China's Lost Girls from Amazon. It's a great overview of China's overpopulation issues and it shows some families on their China trip. Another very informative video is "Adopting from China, a Video Survival Guide." This one is step-by-step through the process, begininning with your paperchase all the way through the travel and back home. News reporter, Rebecca Coates, is the narrator and it's her personal journey.
Best of luck to you!
Donna
www.waitingforlaurenelizabeth.blogspot.com