[mom.mama.mommy]

I know all the right questions to ask, but I assume many of the agencies know the "right" answers to give as well....

How did you "know" that it was the right place? Strictly from reviews of others? Certain policies or procedures?

Certainly money has to come into it at some point as well, how high up there was that consideration? What was the range you ran into?

And lastly, I would really appreciate any PMs on what worked for you, which agency, how everything turned out. And really, not only how you as the adoptive parents were treated, but the birth family. How were they treated? How was that done, support wise (emotional support)?

Thank you in advance!!??

[wanttoadoptmygirl]

Money was a big one at the begining. Since we are a biracial couple I looked alot into agencies that had african american programs. The first agency I was sure we were going to use I had done a ton of paper work ect. we the had our phone conference ughh that went bad. They did not like one of my husbands answers regarding open adoption (he has since been educated ) and they pretty much hung up the phone on us. I went back to the drawing board and started calling around I chose to not go with any who were not clear on the fees. We ended up choosing the one we did because 1. we made it through a phone interview 2. their fees were very clear 3. they still had an african american program. So in the end we felt good with them. We have a budget so far of 17000 that includes birth mom agency legal and all but did not include homestudy (they dont do homestudies in ca) which was 2200 plus fingerprinting and stuff. I am guessing about 10000 more for travel as I will be taking my 2 boys for that trip so there will be 4 of us going and hopefull 5 coming home. Our budget is due upon match so no out of pocket. However that is because of the program we are in which waves profile fee activation fee maybe other stuff. I debate daily if I should raise our budget (faster match??) but we have not become active we have about 2 more weeks just waiting for them to finish our profile. By the way surprising but my husband did make it through a homestudy boy was I worried.

I know this became long but I would say choose one that is in your budget. Obviously number of yearly matches and how many active families and then of course who you feel is best for you.