[B&C]

Hi...we are new to this using a chat forum, this website and to the idea of adopting. Has anyone ever heard of Christian Home of Abilene in Texas? It was recommended as an Agency for adopting AA.

In looking at the forums, one gave a number of Agencies that were recommended like Bethany, HeavenSent, Marks of Grace.
Has anyone heard of any excellent, reasonably priced ones in Georgia or Texas?

Thank you.

B&C

[redhedded]

I presume that you are in Canada. May I inquire why Georgia or Texas? We adopted an African American child through a Utah agency; we are in California, and our daughter was born in the south. I know that there are many good agencies that focus their energies on the placement of African American children. Many agencies use a sliding scale based on income to determine what you will pay. Heaven Sent is NOT an adoption agency; they are a "networking service" and charge a minimal fee to connect you to attorneys or agencies who may be seeking families. I read thoroughly the Adoption Option before embarking on this journey and found some great information. It was imperative to us to find a non-sectarian agency and to find one that did not charge different fees for African American and biracial children. While it is despicable, many agencies and facilitators do it. I recommend our agency highly and always want to tell others about them.

http://www.tlcadoption.com

[Cde3girl]

Can I ask how much TLC charges? We adopted in Utah, from Heart to Heart and it was $20K! Way too much and they were not pleasant to work with.

[melissaultrasou]

i am actually a birthmother. i can recommend a website actually. linkadoption.com the facilitator there is named amy and she is an absolute treasure. with an agency you will pay quite a bit from what i understand. that is part of the reason i am trying to go through something link link. its an adoption agency but not. i cannot see a couple that just wants to give a baby a good home paying huge sums of money for it. its just not fair.

melissa

[Cde3girl]

Before you go and recommend a facilitator like the one you did, you must be able to view it from the potential adoptive family. It is NOT the best route in most cases, and in a lot of states, facilitators are illegal.

For instance, the one in Ca., Lifetime, requires you to pay $8700 upfront and sign a contract for one year and if you are not matched, then you loose all of that money! I reviewed this contractual agreement with my AAAA (adoption attorney in very good standing) and he said "stay away from them".

Now, I know Amy, and your right she is very nice. However, I don't know what is required from her facilitating service. In any event, it's good to hear your experience, but from our side of the coin it can be a ruthless business venture, so we have to do our own very thorough research, and check with the BBB, The Adoption Guide, NAIC, and get three references from previously adopted families.

That's my opinion, but again, I know of Amy and her business, and I like her, but in general, facilitators are not the best way to go.

[melissaultrasou]

no need to jump down my throat, i was just offering the little advise i could.

i know what boat your in, as much as adoptive parents have to be careful, so do birthmom's. i cannot with a good conscience adopt the twins i am carrying out through someone who would charge a family that kind of money.

i am 3 months and 8 days along right now. i have not gone through anyone yet. i am still looking.

thank you for the info about lifetime, i will be sure NOT to go through them.

could you privately send me your lawyer's number? if he could assist me in anyway in finding a good way to adopt out to people that would be excellent.

again good luck in your search, i hope you get you wish to adopt. everyone says what a treasure birthmoms are. adoptive families are amazing also.

melissa

[Cde3girl]

Melissa,

I'm very sorry if I came across harsh, and I re-read my message and I would feel the same.

I'm not saying go through Amy, I really, really like her, she might be the only facilitator I would consider!

However, to find out a good adoption attorney, go to Adoption.com or NAIC (National Association and Information Clearinghouse) they have a wealth of information on agencies, attornies, etc.

Do a web search for the NAIC because their is an insurance co with the same name!

Good luck to you, I know it's very hard to decide who to work with, but try those out. I want you to have a really positive experience.

God bless,

[bellazmama]

Hi!

We went through Bethany Chrsitian Services because they offer so much support and counseling to birth mothers. True, it was expensive, but it was worth it to us. It was still under $10K total. This time, however, we may be working with an attorney to try and keep our costs down. I agree with you on that point. We live in TN and want an open or, at least, semi-open adoption. Nowadays, the options for an adoption that is not over $10K are hard to find.

Blessings!
Sarah

[BeckyS]

another great agency in Atlanta is Adoption Planning Inc. We worked with them on our last adoption & will again. Great people & our daughter's bmom liked them also. They do 10% annual income with a minimum of $6,500 & cap at $10,000

[blessed with 2]

I talked with Amy, and we clicked right off, but since we live in a state where using a fascilitator is not legal, we couldn't use her! We used The Open Door in Georgia, and we loved them! They were very reasonable (in the world of infant adoption!) and wonderful to work with! Betty is wonderful, she cares so much about the families and babies! We were not able to get our son before Christmas last year and she was so upset, it actually calmed me down to know someone else was stressing about it!

[amom4life]

Originally posted by Cde3girl

For instance, the one in Ca., Lifetime, requires you to pay $8700 upfront and sign a contract for one year and if you are not matched, then you loose all of that money! I reviewed this contractual agreement with my AAAA (adoption attorney in very good standing) and he said "stay away from them".

We are contracted with Lifetime in California. You gave out some false information here. The contract is for TWO years not one.

Also Lifetime has a very good reputation they have been facilitating adoptions since the 1980's. They are legal and our attorney told us that he has a lot of respect for them and they are the only facilitators he would recommend.

Most people who don't end up with a match at the end of two years is usually by their own fault. They either are not very open to the type of child they will parent (race, special needs,openess of the adoption) or they don't do what the staff at Lifetime advises them as far as their paperwork and profiles.

Lifetime also offers a lot of services for birthmothers including counseling, maternity clothing, scholarships. The staff is available to the women any time day or night.

I hope when considering any agency or facilitator people would not just take the word of one person or attorney, but that they would do their own research and get the true facts.
Judy

[akb]

We were just matched to an AA baby through Bethany. The entire process (including applications & homestudy & match) only took 6 weeks. We were VERY happy with our counselor and the whole process! Right now in St. Louis, there are more AA babies than parents willing to adopt them...that is one of the reasons our wait was so short.

amy

[bellazmama]

I am soooooo excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sarah

[lilnico31]

Hello, my husband and I are looking to adopt a full AA or biracial baby girl , we have been in search of agencies taht are lower cost adoptions(income based). I read some posts and I did take note of adoption Planning inc. If anyone has any more advice on agencies ect. It owuld be appreciated. WE live up in PA. WEw ould travel any state. WE are also trying to find ones that do not charge alot to start up. WE are on a tight budget. Any information is appreicated... post or e-mail me at lilnico31@yahoo.com
Also the agency has to work with couples under 25, I am 25 bu my hubby of 3 years is 23.. WE have found many places want you over 25.thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lilnico

[bellazmama]

Try Bethany Christian Services. You can see if they have an office near you at http://www.bethany.org.