[vblop]

My husband and I are just starting and don't know anything. I have done research on the internet and was wondering about the following two agencey.

Lifetime Faciliation Center, in Cal.

Adoption Services Associares, San Antonio, Texas.

Any help or information would be great.

Veronica
vlopez@cubs.com

[Support2Adopt]

Hi Veronica!
If you are looking into a faciliatator, please know that they only do match ups between prospective adoptive parents and potential Birthmothers. You would still need to use an agency or attorney to complete the adoption and the potential Birthparents would still need representation as well.
JJ

[Cortonagirl]

We were going to use them, had a conference call, received the paperwork and then we saw too many red flags!!!

1) You have to sign a contractural agreement for 1-2 years

2) If you are not matched during that timeframe, you are out the $8600 you have to fork out upfront.

There is no reason to use these people. I find them very greedy and though they list a lot of situations, I hear more people complain than provide positive feedback.

Ther are better routes to take.

Private agency or attorney is my suggestion.

[cathy102]

We used a Facilatator and had to give half the money up front and then after the match you had to send the rest of the money within 48 hours. It worked for us. We were matched in 9 months and then our daughter was born 6 weeks later on my hubby's birthday. It does work. You have to be careful who you use. I know some people have had a problem with the place we used but that happens anywhere...

Good luck finding a good place...Just do your homework and follow your heart. You watch what will happen for you..

Hugs,

Cathy

[kmalay]

Veronica

I have stated this before to others who have asked this question, but really do your homework before making a decision. There are pro and cons to all the option. Here is a link that will give you a list of different contacts in your state for adoption professionals http://www.calib.com/naic/ . Really call around and even go to orientations. You need to sit down and thing about what chances you are willing to take. Some agencies will require x amount up front, but will guarantee a baby and will not ask for anymore money until after placement. Some will guarantee that if an adoption fails, then you will not have to pay additional for another match. Some you lose your money if your adoption fails. Some can place faster than other etc...... Really check out references, call the better business bureau etc.... I wish you the very best.

[tobeafamily]

First, you want to be sure that you can use a facilitator in your state. In many states, such as Virginia where we live, it's illegal to pay anyone to 'connect' you with a birth family. You can only pay for your home study, legal fees, counseling and post placement supervision. These must all be provided by licensed professionals.

Many facilitators will tell you how to 'get around' these issues. Ultimately, it is your adoption that is at risk if the state finds that there were illegal activities and voids the adoption as a result (and yes, this can and does happen at times).

Also, very few states have any kind of criteria for who can call themselves a 'facilitator' - I think California may be the only state that requires that facilitators meet any kind of standard. So you get the good, the bad and the very very ugly (think JoElla Kern or Renee Hariston). So, if you do proceed, be VERY careful, check references, boards and the BBB.

Finding good adoption professionals can be a challenge. Have you asked your OB/GYN, family doctor, religious leader (priest/minister/rabbi/oman, etc.), checked for area support groups on adoption? If you've gotten an attorney already, they may be able to recommend also.

For us, we used an agency recommended to us by my OBGYN, attorney and our own time to search for DS. We connected with his birth family 4 months after we started searching, he was born 7 months later. If you'd like, I;ll be happy to send our search tips. Email me tobeafamily@excite.com.

HTH,

Regina