| Once you have decided to adopt a child, you will | | | | For the majority of people looking to adopt, the |
| begin on an exciting journey. In order to adopt it is | | | | common goal is to adopt as soon as possible. In the |
| important for you to determine how you will find a | | | | United States, there are a limited number of women |
| birthmother who wants you to adopt her baby. Do | | | | who put their babies up for adoption each year. If |
| not make the mistake of assuming that the agency | | | | you hope to have your baby or child in your arms as |
| or attorney you hire to handle other aspects of your | | | | soon as possible, it makes sense that you would |
| adoption also offers outreach. | | | | need to have access to as many birth mothers |
| There are several ways to do adoption outreach. | | | | looking to place their child for adoption as possible to |
| The most important thing for you to understand is | | | | increase your potential of finding your child. |
| that adoption outreach needs to be done. This is a | | | | Many adoption agencies and professionals limit their |
| piece of the adoption process that many people do | | | | adoption outreach programs to their local area. They |
| not understand. People often sign up with | | | | may only be actively advertising and searching for |
| professionals assuming that outreach will be handled, | | | | mothers who want to place their children for |
| but the truth is - a few agencies and attorneys offer | | | | adoption with the local area, and this greatly limits the |
| comprehensive outreach programs but most don't. | | | | number of potential birth mothers the agency has to |
| Ask questions and if that service is offered and has | | | | work with. It's common for these agencies and |
| a successful track record you may not have to do | | | | professionals to only work with just a few birth |
| anything else. If, however, they do not do outreach | | | | mothers in a year, but they have hundreds of |
| here are your choices: hire a professional whose main | | | | adoptive parents waiting to adopt a child! |
| focus is helping match you with a birth mother; or do | | | | When looking for an adoption agency or professional, |
| your own advertising and networking. | | | | it probably makes more sense for you to look for |
| It's possible to do your own advertising to let as | | | | those that have national adoption outreach programs. |
| many people know as possible that you are hoping | | | | Agencies and professionals who spend time and |
| to adopt a child- but you'll increase your chances of | | | | effort advertising around the country in search of |
| finding a baby or child, and in less time, if you work | | | | birth mothers who need to place their babies for |
| with an adoption agency, professional or facilitator | | | | adoption are going to have more birth mothers to |
| with a successful outreach program. When it's time | | | | work with and it will increase your potential of |
| to start looking for adoption professionals who can | | | | adopting a healthy baby from the United States in a |
| help you find your special child, you want to | | | | shorter period of time. Agencies and professionals |
| understand the importance of adoption outreach | | | | with nationwide adoption outreach programs can |
| programs in relation to your adoption goals. | | | | work with many birth mothers each month. |
| As you start the process, you may think that all | | | | Another benefit of working with an adoption agency |
| adoption professionals are about the same - but this | | | | or professional with a nationwide adoption outreach |
| isn't the case. One of the most important things you | | | | program is an increased likelihood that you find the |
| should find out before deciding which adoption | | | | baby or child that closely matches your desired |
| professional to work with is the type of outreach | | | | preferences. You have more choices and won't feel |
| program the agency or professional uses. In | | | | pressured to take the first child offered to you for |
| particular, does the agency or professional have | | | | adoption. |
| national adoption outreach programs, or regional? | | | | |