[lahagerty]

I have been reading through some of the threads and listened to concerns many folks have encountered with their agencies. From withholding information to not being forthright in their dealings with the adopting family. I have done tons of internet research but still am at a loss on how to evaluate and pick an agency to work with. Can those of you who have had experience with adopting from Guatemala help me to locate a reputable agency that will be open and honest in all their dealings. Any help is greatly appreciated. I am a single woman looking to adopt and I live in OH.

[drjeanne]

Hi,
My experience is I chose an agency based on a referral I got from a local doctor who had used the agency. He and his wife had brought home 2 babies and he said he'd spent time with the agency director in Guatemala (she just happened to be there while he was) and he was very impressed with how much she cared about the children and how hard she was working. He had asked others about her before he signed with her agency. I guess you're taking a chance no matter how much research you do! Everyone's experiences are different and how successful you perceive your agency to be is totally a personal thing too! I wish you the best of luck! We love our agency so far but, have only just begun the process...we're waiting for our DNA results right now. So far, so good and I keep my fingers crossed and pray everyday!

Wishing you all the best!
J

[Mariais5]

There is the Agency Feedback List at the top of the forum. You could peruse that, and contact the people through a pm who used the agencies you are thinking about. You can check the BBB in the area where your agency is located. You can check with references the agency provides. I think the important thing to remember is that everyone's experience can be different ~ even with the same agency. Good luck! And don't let all of the horror stories scare you. If you look at the "Guatemalan Adoption Experience" survey, you'll see more people had good experiences than bad.

[TCNY]

I did check the BBB. Also, I confirmed the agency was listed with the Joint Council for International Childrens Services. The two references combined gave me a certain comfort level, but in the end I just had to take a leap of faith. So far I am happy with them.

[JohnnaMJH]

One thing is, you want to find out how your agency handles things when there are problems. Many agencies have smooth cases, but getting stuck with an unresponsive agency when problems arise is a nightmare.

I would try to narrow it down to a few based on your research and then ask for feedback here. People will PM you with their experiences.

Good luck,

[kauai2k]

I think that you should make a list of what your specific expectations/criteria are in an agency. This could include things ranging from location, what the fee schedule/contract contains, how many adoptions have they completed for a specific country, are they open to you hearing from other families who have used them, etc... Then I think that it's a wonderful idea and I agree completely to search through the Agency Feedback Sticky and pm people for their information.

diane

[Mary Mulcahy]

1. You can ask your home study agency for a referral
2. You can PM Bebito's mom for her list of who not to use.
3. You can check out the agency feedback list at the top.

Remember you don't have to live in the same state as as your placement agency.
You need to find an agency that you feel comfortable with. This is a long process and if you don't click with your agency it might not be good for you.
Ask how they handle problem cases, and how they will communicate with you. Ask about the fee structure and to see the contract of what is included.
Find out about the attorney the agency uses since this is very important in the processing of your case.
Ask for references from the agency and also from the
"Big LIst" (refer to guatadopt.com for directions on how to join)
For example, my agency did not promise monthly photos or monthly health updates, I did get two with both my adoptions but both were home within 5 months of referral.
What is the policy if you loose your referral, do you get a new referral ect...

Its a big decision and I wish you luck in your jouney,
Mary, mom to Danny and Ricco

[BebitosMama]

For me, I believe what you want to hear is that...

• other families who have used this agency have had good experiences, or when there were problems, the agency stuck by them and helped them through it to successful completion

• the agency is known for having a good, steady stream of referrals, so you won't have to wait for many months

• the agency is known for not forgetting you/blowing you off/moving on to the next client the minute you get your referral...

• the agency will be there when there are problems, and not tell you that there's nothing they can do for you

• the agency works with excellent, ethical, reputable lawyers and facilitators who have a track record of doing a good job and doing the right thing. Find out AHEAD of time which attorneys and facilitator they work with. (If the agency won't tell, parents who have used them will.)

• the agency and its attorneys have a good reputation in Guatemala, with Family Court, with PGN. Some definitely DON'T.

• the agency has a good track record of bringing home children in a timely way.

• the agency does not require all the money up front. There are a few that do this that might be ok, but in general, just remember...if they have all your money, and you don't have a baby, who has the leverage in that situation?

• the agency does not prohibit you from saying anything negative about them in public during or after your adoption -- the agencies that have this clause in their contract have it for a very specific reason... Warning...warning...

• the agency does not prohibit you from contacting anyone in Guatemala about your case -- again...the agencies that have this clause in their contract have it for a very specific reason... Warning...warning...

• the agency does not prohibit you from having direct contact with your attorney -- some that do this are ok, and most of the time you don't need contact, but if they prohibit contact entirely and make a big point of it...it's for a specific reason... Warning...warning...

• the agency does not require that you go through a gauntlet of people to get information, as in, call the office manager/case worker, who then calls the Guatemala cooridinator/program director, who then calls the faciltator/attorney/ hogar, who then calls the Guatemala cooridinator/program director, who then calls the the office manager/case worker, who then calls you...

• the agency does not have prescribed times or dates when you can go visit, but rather, allows you to schedule it (usually after DNA is finalized) when YOU can go

• the agency does not prohibit you from having visits of more than a day with your child, if you would like more time (Some do)

• the agency does not discourage contact with the birth mother if that is something you would like to pursue

• the agency does not discourage contact with the foster family during the adoption or afterwards

• the agency encourages and permits fostering in Guatemala if that is something you are interested in

• the agency is not known for poor communications, keeping clients apprised on cases -- if that is important to you

• the agency/attorney/facilitator have not been involved in apparently unethical or even illegal activities, such as changing birth mother or baby birth certificates, or messing with DNA results, or covering up medical results and reports. Ask here on the forums. There are people who have been through every one of the above situation...

As always, I'm very happy to share privately by PM my "Informal, Totally Unofficial & Growing List of Agencies, Staff, Facilitators, and Attorneys I Would Not Use For My Next Adoption" list.

Not official, just opinion, the list is based on my own experience and what I regularly hear from other parents who have survived their experiences, or LOVED their experiences, or who are in the adoption trenches right now...

Mary

[Devora]

Definitely check out the guide at guatefam.org . They give a detailed list of questions AND the kinds of answers that they recommend you listen for. You still have to do your research, but it's a great guide -- a lot better than simply reading webpages and informational packets (which all start sounding the same after a while).

Best wishes,
Devora

[Mary Mulcahy]

I just wanted to add to Mary's list. Some agencies only allow a one night visit and you must stay in the hotel with the baby. As with my agency this was written upfront. The reason is to keep the baby on schedule. So, if you seek to have a longer visit or foster the baby in Guatemala then you need to ask those questions.

Some attorneys are very cautious about birth mother information until after the adoption is complete. Some do not work with families about meeting the b-mom so you would have to ask the agency about this. Many attorneys are honoring the b-mom's right to privacy and in some cases the village the b-mom is from did not know there was a child.

I agree with the money part. I paid 1/2 at referral and the rest after the case was finished. I would never put all that money up front.
Mary (the other Mary) mom to Danny and Ricco

[adoptingdoc]

PM me for my opinion