[wmlaw2k1]

Hello all.

Well, I decided to contact an agency and see what they said about starting now with the Hague looming. I narrowed it down to 2 agencies, and contacted the one that seemed to be the best fit for DH and me. I sent them an Email and filled out their initial app (free), which I Emailed back last Wednesday. I didn't hear anything, and I figured I'd give them some time to respond. Today I decided I had given them enough time, and I called, only to get a message that they've been in Guatemala since 12/10, and won't return until 12/19!

This is supposed to be one of the good agencies?!?!?!?! Should I give them another chance, or move on to the next agency?

Thanks, Jessica

[nathansvolunteers]

Personally, I'd give them another chance. Maybe they are down there checking on cases or their babies. The director from my very fine agency travels to Guatemala occasionally also, to touch base with the attorneys, visit the babies and stay on top of things. So I guess I would not see that as a big red flag.
Best of luck to you whatever agency you choose, and I hope you have a smooth journey!!

Cindy

[CashCrew]

They don't have anyone here to talk to while they are in Guatemala? What happens if you need to talk to someone about your case when they are out of town? I would be asking all these questions before I signed. I'm not sure who it is, it is probably a great agency, but I would definitely ask.

[Mindybeth6]

I would be concerned that NO ONE is there to keep in touch with clients. THe director of my very good agency goes to Guatemala each month and sometimes quite a period of time but even if I e-mail her I still usually get a response and that's with her being in GUAT! ALso...there is ALWAYS someone at the agency to contact and I have ALL of their cell #'s to contact them as well. I have to admit it would disturb me a little bit that there is NO ONE there. It's a tough call. Good luck!

[beachykeen]

I'd have issue with not being able to be in touch with SOMEBODY there. I know at my agency, there are at least 3 people (that I know of) that I could get in touch with if I needed to.

Good luck with your decision, I know it's a tough one!

[wmlaw2k1]

Thanks for the responses.

I should clarify.....I like the fact that they go to personally check on their cases/babies, but there was no one in the office answering the phone. They left a number and Email to reach them in Guatemala. It is an international #, and I'm not about to call them down there if they haven't even looked at my app. yet, so I Emailed. Hopefully someone will get back to me soon.

[longingforchildren]

I can understand that they would be down in Guat, i mean it could be for ANY reason but I guess they might now have enought staff to have people on call when they leave or it was a whole company trip. I don't know. I would wait till they came back and ask them if this occures all the time or if it was a one time thing. Maybe once you are a client they give out their cell phone numbers so you can contact them once they are down there. Or a personal email address that they check while they are down there. I would give them another chance because ANYTHING could explain why they haven't responded yet. Hope this helps!

[wmlaw2k1]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

longingforchildren: I see you are just starting out too. What have you heard about the Hague implications?

[lcarroll]

I would say, don't sign on with any agency that won't respond to your e-mails. I have that problem with my agency and it is horrible. You can't get any updates, you don't know what is going on, etc. PM me if you want to know who I am using.

[longingforchildren]

Actually I think I just posted it on another topic but I would love to share it here. I have heard that it is all bogus! Here is where I heard it from and what it said:

Guatemala

September 28, 2006
The U.S. Department of State has published the following announcement:

Government of Guatemala Efforts to Implement the Hague Adoption Convention - False Rumor that Guatemala will halt adoptions

The Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala have become aware of an unfounded rumor that adoptions in Guatemala will be suspended immediately or by January 1 as part of Guatemalan efforts to implement the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption ("the Hague Adoption Convention"). The government of Guatemala has confirmed that there is no truth to this rumor. The Embassy is continuing to process adoption cases.

The Department of State and the U.S. Embassy continue to monitor the situation in Guatemala closely and are in regular contact with Guatemalan officials as they take steps to reform their adoption processes in order to better protect the interests of children and families. We are encouraged by the efforts of the First Lady of Guatemala in preparing a protocol of adoption best practices that promotes protections for children and families in line with the international standards of the Hague Adoption Convention. The Department urges all interested parties to check our website (Welcome to Travel.State.Gov) for updates on the process of adoptions in Guatemala. For more information on Guatemala and Hague Adoption Convention implementation efforts, please see the Department's Notices and frequently asked questions on Guatemala at Frequently Asked Questions: Intercountry Adoptions and the Hague Convention: Guatemala and Intercountry Adoptions and the Hague Convention: Guatemala.

Hope this helps!

[longingforchildren]

Oh and this is from JOINT COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S SERVICES

[jeannecr]

Longingforchildren,

The Hague is not bogus, but there was some controversy a few months ago about certain documents. There will be changes in Guatemala adoptions coming in the next year. Here is the State Department link about it:

Frequently Asked Questions: Intercountry Adoptions and the Hague Convention: Guatemala

[Disneycrazed]

For me I would have a very hard time not being able to have contact with someone when I needed it. There are many good agencies out there.If the agency that I picked didn't have someone to contact when I needed it... then they better be doing a FANTASTIC job in every other area.

[kauai2k]

I would give them another chance...

Considering that they have personnel actually in Guatemala, to me, says that they have a closer perspective on the process and have a more hands on approach - rather than dealing with an agency that goes through a third or fourth party.

diane

[Jonni]

Just have to second Jeanne above in saying that the Hague is not bogus!!! Just because it's not scheduled for shutdown on Jan. 1 does not mean that it will not shut down in the coming year. The US Govt. has already made the decision - we just all don't know which month it will take effect.

Back to the original poster -- I'd not give up on the agency just because they're in country. They gave a clear message of when they'll be back and if soemone needed to get hold of them they also left info for that. I'd be encouraged to find out they personally go to Guatemala. There are many agencies who do not.