[auntieweewee]

I was wondering if anyone has used a "facilitator" in an identified adoption. We are considering using an agency that does not place children, rather they serve as an intermediary, locating birthmothers, advertising, arranging phone calls, meetings, etc. Once matched the adoptions are agency-to-agency adoptions. This company helps the birthmother contact the appropriate/sister agency to ours based on her current location and that agency assigns a social to her and then the agencies work together. The adoption agency is a nationwide religious oraganization.
The facilitating agency we are looking at has terrific references, a 98% placement rate (based on their services), a typical 11 month wait until match (based on our level of openness and racial/religious/health status preferences) and only works with 60-70 couples at any given time. The contracted "facillitation" services are for a 24 month time frame.
Anyone have any experience with this? I feel so vulnerable and would LOVE any feedback!

[kelceesmom]

First, please answer any specific questions via pm.

We used a facilitator for our adoption. We never got involved with an agency except for our homestudy. Facilitators are not allowed in every state either. I would go that route again if we ever decided to adopt.

Good luck in your journey.

[bromanchik]

Originally Posted by auntieweewee

The facilitating agency we are looking at has terrific references, a 98% placement rate (based on their services), a typical 11 month wait until match (based on our level of openness and racial/religious/health status preferences) and only works with 60-70 couples at any given time.

I would be concerned about any adoption agency/facilitator/lawyer who claim a 98% placement rate. They are either lying or using questionable tactics to get new mothers and fathers to place their babies.

[tobeafamily]

I agree with Brenda.

First, you need to be sure you're able to use the services of a non-licensed para-professional in your state. In many states, it is not legal to pay anyone to connect expectant and prospective adoptive parents.

Most states also do not regulate these 'entities', meaning there are no minimum standards to be called a 'facilitator', 'referral service', 'networking service'. Anyone can hang up a shingle and call themselves this. That is why you've got the good, the bad, and the unethical out there, and no recourse if they're not in the 'good' category.

Beware if you are in a no-facilitator state of anyone counseling you on how to 'get around' the law - these people do not have your best interest at heart. 'Getting around' the law can and does invalidate adoptions.

Personally, I have found that most domestic parental placement adoptions where the child will be the first in the family happen within 12 months of homestudy completion, regardless of the ethnic backgrounds of the expectant or hopeful adoptive parents.

What I've found is most helpful, other than working with qualified professionals, is doing your own informal networking with your friends, family and your community.

JMHO. Best,

Regina

[rredhead]

We used a nationwide facilitator, though they marketed themselves as an agency, and let us believe that they were. Honest and helpful facilitators seem to be few and far between. Try using this site to ask about the actual facilitator you want to use. It's OK to post "Hey, I'm thinking of going with Random Facilitator. Has anyone used them? PM me."
I have heard of a few good facilitators.
Good luck!

[confused1]

My husband are new to this and are looking into using Adoption Network Law Agency. They are facilitators. Does anyone know if we can use them? When checking some adoption books, it's not clear if Illinois allows this. I know facilitators can't advertise in Illinois but ANLC is in California. Help,I'm so mixed up


Staci

[Celesyee]

auntie--I sent you a PM regarding our experiences with facilitators and referral agencies.

[JustCourtney]

Staci,

I am in Illinois, too. We met with an agency last week, and we asked about facilitators. Turns out you can not use them. That means you can't use one licensed in any state, and it doesn't matter what state the adoption is finalized in. If you are a resident of IL and plan on bringing your child here - you can't use them.

Hopes this helps. What area of the state are you in? We are near St. Louis
Courtney

[confused1]

We are in a suburb north of Chicago..Buffalo Grove. Thanks for the info on facilitators. I asked someone else about the recent laws in Illinois regarding advertising by facilitators and it appears if one doesn't advertise in Illinois, it doesn't apply? I just found that strange. Thanks for letting me know.
Staci

[momto3]

We used an agency with our first adoption, and had our son in our arms within 6 weeks of our homestudy being done with no issues. This time around, we've had an approved homestudy for over a year, and have had two failed plans with two different facilitators. You can pm me if you would like names of them. In our experience, I'd stick with an agency.