Select an Adoption Agency
Public or Private?
If you are adopting through a private agency, choose with care, as they are not all alike. Some agencies handle the entire adoption process, holding your hand step by step, while others expect you to take the initiative and learn about procedures and deadlines for yourself. Try to get a sense of how much of the adoption process will depend on your actions and then decide which approach works best for you.
If you are adopting from a public child welfare authority or private agency, you must work with an agency in the province or territory where you live. Contact several agencies to ask about the type of children they place, their fees, how they assess and prepare families and how long it will take. Speak with another parent who has used the agency. Check whether the agency is licensed by your province or territory to provide adoption services.
Consider whether you would rather work though a public or private agency. You can check out potential agencies by contacting your provincial or territorial adoption specialist (see Adoption Resources section). Ask them if the agency you plan to work with is licensed and in good standing and if there have been any complaints or investigations about them. You may also want to call adoptive parent groups in your area to ask if any members have had experience with the agency.
How To Find an Agency
Consider several of the options below to find agencies in your area:
Contact your provincial or territorial adoption specialist (see Adoption Resources section). He or she should be able to provide you with a list of licensed adoption agencies.
Look in the business listing of your phone book under “Adoption” or “Social Services” for private adoption agencies. If you live in a small town, check the listings in a phone book from a larger community.
Contact adoptive parent support groups or adoptive parents for suggestions.
Finding the Right Agency for You
To find a public or private agency that is a good fit for you, your beliefs, and your situation, compare information from several different agencies. Most will gladly provide details about their services and requirements upon request, and you can also interview agency representatives to learn more about them. You may want to ask:
• What kinds of children does the agency place (ages, backgrounds, etc.)?
• How many children has the agency placed in each of the past few years?
• How will the agency conduct a search for you?
• What criteria do they use to match children with families?
• What types of adoptive parents do they seek?
• How long, on average, must one wait for a child?
• What are the home study requirements?
• If you learn of a child in another province/territory, will the agency pursue the child for you?
• How much does a completed adoption cost - in total and part by part?
• Can the agency help applicants locate sources of financial aid, including subsidies?
• What if the adoption doesn’t work out?
• What post-adoption services are available?
• Can the agency provide references from parents who recently adopted through them?
Let Your Agency Know You Are Serious About Adopting
When you call an agency to let them know you are interested in adopting, the person you talk to may ask a series of screening questions, or simply volunteer to send literature about the agency. If you want to adopt relatively soon, find out how you can get the process started.
One common first step is an orientation meeting or training session for prospective adoptive parents.
At the meeting you will likely:
• Meet social workers and learn about policies and practices;
• Learn what types of children are available through the agency;
• Learn about foster care;
• Be asked to examine your feelings about adoption to determine if adoption is the right choice for you;
• Gain insight into the challenges and rewards of adoptive parenting; and
• Obtain application materials.