[bbjax]

Hi. I am new to this forum. I am wondering if anyone can tell me the names of adoption agencies in Cherry Hill, NJ. Thanks so much. Bridget

[NWRkid]

Hi,

When I was searching for an agency I recall that Reaching Out Through International Adoptions was located in Cherry Hill. I have not worked with them, nor do I know anyone who has so I can't help there. I found that a great resource for finding agencies just about anywhere is the "Report on Intercountry Adoptions". You can order it from International Concerns For Children in Colorado, (303) 494-8333. I found it to be a very helpful resource. It not only lists the agencies and the countries they work with, but it also includes a brief description on each agency and country and agency restrictions (ages, single/no singles, etc.) and it's really kept up to date.

Good luck,
Debbie, Linwood, NJ,
Waiting to adopt a girl under 2 from Kazakhstan.
My dossier is at the Kazakhstan Embassy in DC at the moment. I'm hoping to travel in October if all goes well.

[bbjax]

Thank you very much for your help. We have a little girl who we adopted at birtha and will be 2 in October. Her birth mother had told us and our lawyer that she had place another little girl through an agency in that part of NJ. We are trying to assemble information for our daughter in the event that years down the line she wants to find out about her birth siblings...So I really appreciate your response. My sister and her husband adopted a little girl from Kazakstan (sp I know!). SHe was adopted at 11 months and just turned 3. We were delighted to be there for her birthday as our other daughter, 3 and also adopted, and she are great friends but far away from one another. Our little Kazakstan niece is a real delight. We wish you all the best! IT is an exciting venture! Bridget Patton

[GNFrank]

Hi!

Two other agencies in that area are Adoptions From The Heart and Golden Cradle.
If you go to Google and type "New Jersey Adoption Agencies" you can probably find more. Good luck!

Peace,
Gary & Nancy . . .

[bbjax]

Thank you again! Golden Cradle sounds very similar to the name we and our lawyer had been given. I will pass this informatin on to him and we will hope. Thanks so much.

[zoeskymom]

We used Golden Cradle for both of our adoptions. How long ago did your daughters birth mom place her older daughter?

[GNFrank]

Hello Zoeskymom,

My wife and I just went to an introduction/information meeting at Golden Cradle and I'm interested in any feedback (good or bad) you can offer. We're both a little leary about handing over so much money up front, but if you feel you had a great experience with Golden Cradle, that would help us in our decision. Granted, everyone has their own unique experience, but there's an overall feel one has about an agency (i.e.: how helpful and prompt the staff was when you had questions).

We are most likely doing domestic, though they helped dispel some myths about international that put me more at ease with that idea.

Thanks.

Peace,
Gary & Nancy . . .

[zoeskymom]

Hi Gary and Nancy
Let me give you some history to explain my opinion. We first applied to GC in Fall of 1990 for their 'healthy white newborn ' program, (no flames please!!). We got accepted into their 'spring cycle' of prospective adoptive parents. Completed mandatory group sessions, psychological testing, autobiographies and homestudy by late summer 1991. Our SW left, and we wre reassigned. We were originally matched and met w/a pbmom in Spring 92. We were in love. She delivered in June, and decided to parent. We were devastated, but clearly understood. Our new sw left and we were rematched in July. Met a wonderful bmom in August. She delivered 10 days late, and our dd was born labor day weekend. She was in our arms first am Tues. Sept 8th, irrevocable surrenders signed. The changes in Sw were difficult for us, but did not disrupt the process.
Cut to story #2 with our 2nd dd's adoption. We waited the mandatory 2 yrs before reapplying (a rule which no longer applies btw)Were assigned sw #1 and began our homestudy. We opted to persue 'identified adoption' per their urging, and not being newbies, not feeling the need for extreme handholding, we forged ahead. The agency provided us with an incorrect phone # for our ads. After much wasted time, we discovered (after not receiving ANY responses) that our calls were going to some video warehouse. Our SW left and we were reassigned and transitioned into their "traditional" program. Here's where things get fuzzy. We ultimately went thru 6 sw changes, at times, we had no sw. The director, Jared, was useless, unsympathetic and judgemental when we came to him w/concerns throughout. Brenda was a bit more caring, but ultimately, she was overwhelmed by all of us frustrated waiting families to be of any help. We were presented w/situations that didn't meet our criteria, extremely risky, police involved, dyfus connected, and all of this after we foolishly paid fees UPFRONT, so we couldn't even get out! We had 2 failed matches/placements and at least 3 situations that we said no to, which btw, was devastating! After 5 sw's and 3 LONG years, we brought our dd home. We picked her up as the ink was drying at exactly 72 hrs. btw, friends we met thru GC did our dd's foster care for 2 days post hosp. d/c, and prior to surrenders. Placement happened in their living room at 8;12 p, with a sw we never met(#5). btw, sw #6 did our last 2 post placement visits, and an msw grad student/agency intern, was at our court finalization to act as the GC rep. No agency employee was even there. Ther were 6 GC families in total finalizing the day we did.
Needless to say, our dd is amazing, they both are for that matter! Was it divine intervention that had us wait for 'our child' for 3 turmultuous years? All I know is that we felt deserted and disregarded by GC. Obviously there are MANY internal probs. that keep them from retaining quality workers. We know several families that all experienced unnecessary difficulties as we did.
I would NEVER recommend this agency. They are VERY expensive, and against popular protocol, require fees up front! I would NEVER use an agency again that required fees upfront!!We feel like we missedout on that longterm warm fuzzy relationship people have w/their adoption agencies. We do ,however, have 2 gorgeous, delightful,amazing daughters who we would go thru fire(ok and even all of this again) for. I wish you much luck! I'd love to hear who you decide to work with!

[nursepisces]

GNFrank

When my husband and I decided to start the adoption process, I had spoken with a social worker who works with me to give me a list of agencies that she recommended. I wittled the 8 agency list to 2:Golden Cradle and Family Options.We recieved info from GC and went to a meeting/orientation at FO.After going through all the paperwork and seeing what each offered and the price involved, we decided to go with FO. We started the process in April of last year and our portfolio was filed February of this year. The only up front money was for submitting our application, the fee for the home study, and for starting the portfolio process and submitting it. For more info it's familyoptionsadoptions.org.

I hope it's helpful.

Lori

[zoeskymom]

Lori

I assume you're writing about the F.O. in shrewsbury. If so, If we were to adopt again, I'd use them in a heartbeat!! I know some of the sw there(or at least who used to be there) and I've never heard anything negative about them. I've only gotten very positive feedback about this agency. Best of luck to you and wishes for a short wait!! Btw, is Lynette still there? She is amazing!

[GNFrank]

Hi!

The Family Options Adoption Agency I found is located in Red Bank. Is there another one? I emailed that one for information on their domestic program. Any other thoughts, feelings or comments on Family Options would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

Peace,
Gary & Nancy . . .

[GNFrank]

Mom2Two,

Actually, we're signed up to go to their information meeting next Thursday. Last year they had a huge waiting list, so we decided to try a different agency. But we've given up on that other agency and are interested to check out what Adoptions From The Heart has to offer. Thanks for the good review!

Peace,
Gary & Nancy . . .

[zoeskymom]

G&N,

Yup, that's the same F.O. Best of luck.

[bbjax]

Hi Zoeskymom,
From what we could put together, our daughter's birthmother placed with Golden Cradle about 5 yrs ago ... give or take a year? It was hard to know what the real story was...but from what we know she placed with this agency and her birthdaughter is now in PA...BTW, I read on through some of the later messages. My heart goes out to you with your experience with the agency . But as I see our delightful daughters and the wild rides we and they took before coming together...I can't help but see divine intervention!
bb

[nursepisces]

Zoeskymom

Yes,Lynette is still there and she is wonderful! Hopefully it is a short wait because sometimes I get a little nervous when the phone rings.


Gary and Nancy,

Yes,Family Options is in Red Bank. According to FO,they usually have 18-22 couples in portfolio and place 15-18 children a year. They explain everything in detail and are concerned about the adoptive family as well as the birthparents. They provide counseling for both.The longest wait on a placement was 2 1/2 years and the shortest I believe was 2 weeks. Now that we are in portfolio, they said that we could recieve a phone call saying for example that a 16 yr. old who is 6 months pregnant has picked your portfolio or they could say come pick up your child.
They give alot of info on if you want to put ads in the paper, networking,etc. The head of the agency herself has adopted 2 children.

I wish you nothing but good luck!

Lori