[leenie71]

I'm just interested to know if anyone, after going with one agency or facilitator at first, added another one to supplement what they're already doing....TIA

[loveajax]

Leenie, not only another agency, but a facilitator as well! (Our "home study" agency encouraged this as they had very few placements....we happened to adopt through them ultimately). Fortunately, the facilitator and the agency did not have "upfront" fees (though I'm not sure if that still is the case). PM me if you want the names. Karen

[JustCourtney]

We didn't end up having to, but we planned on it! Our agency doesn't do a ton of placements, and they encouraged us to sign up with others. We had found another local agency that only asked for a $400 fee to get shown, and another that charged $300 (I think).

I would ask the agency you are currently listed with if it is okay - some won't allow it. You will need to get your homestudy from them anyway!

[mommy3]

For our 2nd adoption, when we got to the 2-year mark we had a failed adoption and I felt like I needed to "do more" at that point. We stayed with our agency (we were happy with them and had worked with them for our 1st adoptoni as well). We spoke with (researched, too) and decided to work with a facilitator as well. Our agency had positive experience with them so we were fine with a small investment. This became a big investment, both emotionally and financially, in 3 weeks when we heard from an expectant mom. We matched soon after and our dd was born 2.5 mos. later. Both our facilitator and agency continued to work well together after the birth when our dd's birthmom had severe PPD. Thankfully, all went well. We all (including dd's birthparents) were glad that we had both agency counselors and our wonderful facilitator to assist us. susan

[peacebug]

We have two agencies now...they encouraged us to do so because they have so few placements. However we also interviewed Adoption Network Law Center Friday and I am hoping someone will PM me with information about them. I'm afraid if we just stick with our two little agencies it will be many years for us...I can't wait that long.

[leenie71]

Karen, thanks for the info on who you used...I looked into the agency you mentioned and thought they were quite pricey too.

Courtney, thanks for your reply....I will check, but I don't see how our facilitator could have a say in us working with someone else, kwim? I already have our homestudy....our facilitator does not do homestudies, so we used an independent SW and she gives an original. Do you know if the agencies you worked with work with out-of-state families?

Susan, I'm definitely feeling like we need to do more. glad it all worked out for you!

peacebug, I hear you! I'm feeling the same way. Good luck on getting more info and hope you get a placement soon!

[Gwen72]

Our homestudy agency said that because we were open to any race and gender we would only wait 1 to 3 months. When we had waited 3 months and only been shown twice and not picked we signed with a second agency also. The only advice I can give you is to be honest with your first agency/facilitator about signing with the second and if you get matched with one agency tell the second agency right away. Good Luck!

[peacebug]

We have been told that (short wait since we are open to any race, gender, and several handicaps)...but I dunno...the agencies we're with have you go through orientation meetings before you can officially be on their list to even GET to a home study. The first one is in June, the second can't say. Maybe ANLC will be the place to go but we haven't gotten a price yet.

[aclee]

Every Monday I contacted 4 agencies, and 3 referral agencies to check our status. I think working with multiple agencies, facilitators or referrals works to your advantage. They all knew we were working with other people. I live in a state that doesn't allow facilitators.