How to Evaluate Christian Adoption Agencies

Now that you've found a plethora of Christian adoption agencies to choose from, how do you evaluate their services? There are several steps you need to go through.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
   International or Domestic

   Find out if the agency offers domestic adoption services, international adoption services, or both. If you want a child from the United States, you can't use an agency that only facilitates Christian international adoptions.

2. 
   Affiliated With A Denomination

   Ask if the agency is affiliated with a denomination. Most services are interdenominational. However, if you are Catholic, you may feel more comfortable working with a Catholic agency. If you are Protestant, you may feel more comfortable working with a Protestant agency.

3. 
   Homestudy Services

   Ask the agency what services they provide. Some agencies do your homestudy, match you with a child, and do your post placement evaluations. Some agencies may only match you with children- you would be required to get your homestudy done somewhere else.

4. 
   Ethical Treatment Of Birthmothers

   Evaluate the types of services they offer their birthfamilies. Make sure the birthfamilies are treated ethically. Does this agency offer pregnancy counseling? Do they offer counseling for the birthmother after placement of the child? Some agencies even have retreats and bring in special speakers as a ministry to their birthfamilies.

5. 
   Communication Of Terms

   Discuss what the agency considers the terms "open adoption" and "closed adoption" to mean. People have different ideas about what these words imply, and it is important that the agency and your family be on the same page when communicating.

Tips & Warnings

• Looking at the location of the agency can also help with your decision. An agency that is close to your home may be desirable when you are have to communicate with them frequently.

[StreetBloggers]

on 11/6/2008 Something we need to do more of in the world, thanks for the article

[drenee]

on 10/23/2008 This is something we've been thinking about but the cost scares me

[kebon77]

on 10/8/2008 Love this article.Thanks.