[lhiguera]

Hello,

My husband and I are beginning the adoption process and have a question.

What are the advantages of using a private agency for a toddler adoption? We are meeting with the Alameda County (CA) Social Services next week and were planning on adopting here, but now I am wondering if we should use a private agency.

I would appreciate any feedback.

Thank you,
Laurie

[kidfinder]

I am with Contra Costa County and if I had to do it all over again, I would probably have choosen Adopt a Special Kid (AASK) for the following reasons:
1. The social workers in county agencies are overloaded (my worker has 71 foster and adoptive cases). She simply does not have the time to search for me, so I do it all myself.
2. Private agenices are paid after placement (something called Puchase of Services) and therefore somewhat more motivated to search.
3. County agencies have bias about placing their children with their adoptive families, and have little motivation (in my expereince) to search outside the county.

Hope this helps.