| There comes a time when a person decides they | | | | adoption agency they used. This way you get |
| want to adopt a child. However, a person may be | | | | opinions and insight on how adoption agencies handle |
| confused on where to look. Parents can try private | | | | their clients. You can find a wealth of information this |
| adoption, which means searching on their own. | | | | way about local and adoptions in foreign countries. |
| However, the popular way is through an adoption | | | | 3. Phone book: You can try cold calling adoption |
| agency. Adoption agencies are home to a wealth of | | | | agencies straight out of the phone book. Check |
| information that one might not be able to get on | | | | under the yellow pages for adoption or social |
| their own. Just calling a random company is not going | | | | services. This should lead you in the right direction. It |
| to work though. Research different companies, find | | | | may seem like a crude way of doing things, but |
| one with a good reputation and one that works well | | | | before the Internet this was how things got done. |
| its clients. | | | | Give the adoption agency a call and ask if you can |
| Adoption agencies can tell you how many children are | | | | talk to parents who have been through the process. |
| available in certain areas and requirements for | | | | They might set you up with people who understand |
| adopting children. The agencies also provide | | | | your plight. The adoptive parents can give you inside |
| assistance in every aspect of adoption from filling out | | | | information and explain how the adoption process |
| paperwork to finding the right child and finally getting | | | | works. They can tell you about the agency you are |
| to meet that special person. | | | | considering and any pitfalls to consider. |
| 1. Government Agencies: If you want to go through | | | | 4. Community Groups / Churches: Another way to |
| an adoption agency, there are a number of places to | | | | search for an adoption agency is to check with |
| look. One of the first phone calls should be to a local | | | | community groups or churches to see if there is a |
| or state government agency such as child welfare or | | | | support group for adoptive parents. The group |
| social services. These government agencies should be | | | | people will provide thoughtful and honest experiences. |
| able to provide you with a list of local adoption | | | | In the case of the parents given to you by the |
| agencies as well as any information you might need. | | | | adoption agency, you will probably get someone who |
| They might be able to send you a pamphlet or other | | | | is 100 percent happy with the company. It is in the |
| material that could prove useful in your search for an | | | | agency's best interest to send you them. By finding |
| adoption agency. | | | | the parents on your own, you will get candid |
| 2. The Internet: The Internet is a valuable resource | | | | accounts of what to expect during and after the |
| for finding adoption agencies. A quick search in any | | | | process. These people could offer a ton of |
| search engine will provide you with local and national | | | | information and you may end up joining the group in |
| directories of adoption agencies. It will also guide you | | | | the future. |
| to websites to find more information about the | | | | There are so many ways to find an adoption agency. |
| process. While on the Internet, check message | | | | Just choose the one that is best for you. Don't stop |
| boards and forums about adoption. There are online | | | | looking until you find the perfect one because this is |
| communities dedicated to adoption. You can post a | | | | a wonderful life decision. |
| message or contact parents through email about the | | | | |