[sandsstone1]

I've sorted through all the great advice you guys (probably more correct to say gals but oh well) have given me for researching agencies. It appears that just a basic internet search and reading their information/marketing kit is not going to help. I'm actually going to have to call each one and ask questions. So, I'd like your help to groom this list of questions to make sure I have them in the right order and I haven't left anything out or if there are duplicate questions. You can post suggestions here or pm me. Also, when you PM, include what you would consider the top 3 - 5 accreditted Russian Adoption Agencies based on your, or someone you know, experience. No other info is needed.
Again, thank you for all the help and I'm so grateful all of you are here. Good luck and God bless.

[DebiP]

While I am not in the looking process I think that you have a very comprehensive list compiled. Thank you for those who will use it in the future.

[sandsstone1]

Let's just hope it works.

[waitinginnj]

Time spent interviewing an angency is time well spent. I knew after interviewing my top contenders very precisely which agency was best for me.

I spent two and 1/2 hours on the phone with the agency that I selected. And then had another follow up 1/2 hour before I sent in my application.

Good luck.

The only direct question that I don't see is how often and how do you communicate with me when I become a client?

[sandsstone1]

questions 69 & 70

[amyfk]

HI Sandstone,

I hope you are well. I didnt download your questions because my harddrive is messy from all of our dossier documents. I will try to recall a few of the questions I posed: my lists of questions are now in a box in my basement somewhere...

Find out if you and your wife(I assume youre married) fit the basic age, health requirements to adopt from Russia.

If youre looking for a baby, what is the minimum age of child permitted. If your looking for siblings, does the agency permit you to adopt sibling group together.

I would try to call each agency once or twice. See if they personally answer the phone. If not, and there's a message machine, see how fast they get back to you. If they dont within 24-48hr. maybe Id reconsider them.

What kind of dossier preparation assistance do you get? Is there a dossier person on staff?

What is the policy for referrals? Are you penalized if you turn down one or two referrals? Do you still stay at the top of the list?

Does your agency give you referral medical information, or do you do blind referrals(you have to go with your comfort zone on that).

How many regions in Russia does your agency work in? ( I'm assuming the more, the better). Is your dossier then logged into one specific region, how does that work?

** Is your agency accredited by the Russian govt.? If it's one of the agencies that's up for accreditation again in May, are they working on getting their documents in for reaccreditation?

What is the payment scale like? Do you pay most money upfront? Do you pay a deposit, or in installments? Do you wait until you accept a referral until you pay the second installment for your agency?

What is payment like in Russia? Do you carry a lump sum of money on you? Do you have money wired before you go to Russia?( you will have to do what's comfortable for you there-some folks have differing comfort levels on this issue)

What is the incountry service like? Do you have a translator, driver with you? Are they with you at all times? Do you travel with other families(In China they do, I dont know about Russia)

If you get to Russia and travel blind, or find out you cannot accept your referral for whatever reason, will you be referred another child on the trip?

Are you allowed to hire your own independent doctor in Moscow to visit the child in the orphanage if you choose to do so?

What kind of preplacement readings, seminars do you provide? What kind of post placement support do you provide(besides just sending in post placement reports)?

How long have you been in Business? How long have you been conducting adoptions from Russia?

How many children were adopted through your agency from Russia last year?

Can I have three or four references of families whove adopted through your agency in the last year whom I can speak with?

If, for any reason, there is a slowdown, or problems with the Russia program(and you so wish to change) do you have other adoption programs where I can easily switch to?


Best of luck,
Amy K, NJ

[DebiP]

Bumping up before it gets lost.......

[sandsstone1]

Amy,

I think I've got most of them. Although I don't have the one about the independent doctor in Russia. How important is that? Is that possible? How much would that cost? How would you communicate?

[lovestruck]

sandstone1

There are western drs in the Moscow region and probably throughout Russia that you can hire to evaluate your referral while in country. Some people chose to do this and others simply trust their IA docs in the states along with their own instincts. It is an added expense and that expense depends on where the dr. has to travel too. For example, we are traveling blind and had planned to use one of the western independent drs (they aren't affiliated with any given orphanage). Our region is in the far east and the expense was going to be about an extra $2500 to $3000.
I think after talking to many people we have decided we feel comfortable sending our info back to an IA dr while in country. Many have reported success with that. It' has to do with your personal preference and comfort level.

[amyfk]

Hi Sandsstone

Sorry I didnt get back to you earlier. I work at the library and our computers are all filtered for newsgroups(including staff computers). Ironically even if newsgroups can be helpful they are filtered.

I think lovestruck summed up your questions beautifully. I think it really has to do with your personal comfort level.

My family is very type A about health and especially about the health of an adopted child from Russia. So most likely we'll hire a doctor in Moscow. However, other families are more type B and only use an IA doctor stateside(and IVe heard of a family I know personally who didnt use an IA doctor anywhere). So I think it depends on your personal comfort level.

I'm not at that stage yet, but I also think that if you are considering using the services of a doctor overseas you should ask your agency if that is permitted. I believe certain agencies and regions are more permissive of letting a doctor come assess the child at the orphanage while others aren't. I'm not sure if you are allowed to hire your own independent doctor from Moscow or if you have to use a doctor overseas that your agency recommends. Hopefully someone on this board can chime in and give us more insight.

I know of someone who travelled to the Russian far east to adopt. This person told me that not many doctors from Moscow will travel that far. If so, I'm assuming you will be paying big $. I guess that's another question you may want to ask your agency, depending on what regions your agency works in and where your dossier is logged into.

The one thing Ive been told is that adoption is a leap of faith. I assume that you will have a much better idea of the health, development of a child if you hire an IA doctor here and abroad, but I dont think it's a 100% guarantee.

The kind folks on this list and another one gave me the names and contact info. of doctors from Moscow who will travel to the orphanage. If you want this information now, please let me know. I will pm it to you.

Wishing you best of luck,
Amy K, NJ

[sandsstone1]

amy, lovestruck,

Thanks for the new info. Amy please send me the info you mentioned and I'll put it in the "For Future Reference" file.

[amyfk]

bump, Ill get to this question later in the day.

Amy K, NJ

[crick]

I've stuck this thread to the top of the Russian Forum.
So all who are interested in viewing or posting, you won't need to bump to find it anymore.

[amyfk]

thanks a lot crick.

Amy K NJ

[DebiP]

I knew someone could get it done...Thanks Karen (AK) and Cricket....it is a great place