[slatulippe]

My husband and I just signed up for our first seminar. We are going to one hosted by EAC. We were just wondering what to expect.

[schroeder]

Hello

Welcome to the board. I was unable to attend any of the EAC workshops due to other obligations I had when they were in my area. But I had many phone calls with EAC and asked hundreds of questions. We signed with EAC at the end of May and just are waiting for "the call".

If you have questions, please feel free to ask. There are many of us on the board using EAC.

Anna

[momm2be]

I have been to 2 EAC Seminars; 1 by myself, another I dragged my sister to for her opinion. I think they give an honest workshop. And they do make you feel that 'it can really happen'.
However, I haven't signed with them and think I may sign with another agency. Why?? For that I am just going with gut feelings from talking with the program coordinators.. Nothing specifically wrong, just a gut feeling that keeps me from taking 'the step'with EAC.

I thought the meetings were pretty casual. The speakers are not very good public speakers but they are honest and do answer most questions. So if you have specific concerns, ask them. They will answer. We were even shown examples of referral videos which was a concern for me. (what do you get to see). They usually have numerous people who have completed their adoptions attend so you can talk with people who finished the process, and see their adorable kids.

Its a good place to start.

I am beginning to feel like the seminar junkie, as I can't make the decision. I may be heading to meeting #3 with EAC in the next month to see if my gut feeling swings back. I have to say that it was the first seminar I went to from which I did not cry the entire way home.

Good Luck chosing!!

[slatulippe]

I have talked with EAC on the phone and am concerned with something I was told. I am Bipolar and do have a past with drugs that I have overcome for quite sometime. One of my first questions was about how this would affect my family's eligibility to adopt. I was told that It would go on our homestudy as an addendum, but would not be sent over to Russia with our info. I asked what happened if it did accedentaly got sent and never got a real answer. So I do have concerns about that, but we are going to go anyway and ask someone the same questions face to face and see where we get. I think we do have some protection from this because we get diability supplements, so I do have some protection because of being considered diabled from working, although I am a stay home parent of two boys (7 and 3) and I consider it a lot of work. LOL Any thoughts on that situation from EAC

[mommytobug]

I just attended a seminar a few weeks ago that Pat did (that is the owners sister). They start by telling you a little of the process. They do show you sample vidoes which was great because they actually showed samples of MR, FAS, and then healthy. Shows what to watch for. They then talk about travel or whatever the group leads them to talk about. And yes there are couples there with their children which is very inspiring and they told their stories. I went away ready to GO GO GO. I had already sent my app fee and am working on registration. They also give you lots of info to take home and look at. GOOD LUCK!!!!

[jedatu]

I have been to two seminars for EAC. They are casual. Most people were dressed in a dressy casual. They served food at both of mine.

The usually go over the process and laws for each country and you can ask any questions you want. They will bring in families for testimonials. Ours were mostly Russian adoption, but I think it depends on where you live. They also had social workers there and you can ask them questions. Ours was pretty proffessional.

I would definately talk to as many people as you can about the bipolar/addiction issue. EAC is kind of pricey and you want to make sure you will get a baby in the end. I would talk to one of the social workers if I were you. I don't think our social worker would leave that type of information out of our homestudy, but maybe others would.

Best of luck and enjoy the seminar!

[momm2be]

Staliupe,

I agree with Jedatu. The last thing you want to do is get 90% through this process than have them bring up your past med. history. That should be a done deal. Talk with social workers, press EAC for the information and look around. I don't know about your specific situation but I have seen different agencies have different thresholds for what they will accept.

I did also find EAC to be considerably more expensive than other agencies. But if they can take you where you want to be.... this is only a small expenditure over the lifetime of your child.