AP's: How much post adoption support does/did your agency provide?

Question

How accessible is your agency for help/support after the adoption is completed? How many post placement visits are required? Do you think the post-adoption support is adequate or what else would you like to see?

Answer 1

Our agency is great about being available for support/ questions. When our boys were about to come home they gave us a list with all of the social workers home and cell phone numbers incase we had any questions outside of buisiness hours (it's a smaller agency), and we're encouraged to call or stop by at anytime, even years after their adoption. They have events for all of the families twice a years, and often send us emails about upcoming cultural events, Korean language classes, etc in our area. They also offer resources for children and families experiening attachment problems, have a mentoring program for adoptees, and a program to assist adult adoptees in birthparent searches.

We had post placement visits once a month until the adoption was finalized (6-9 months after placement), and were  required to fill out an update form and send 8 pictures each month for the agency in Korea. We always felt , and continue to feel like our agency is there when ever we need them, and will be there to help our children when they are older.

Answer 2

Originally, we were going to do a domestic adoption.  They were going to provide medical and counseling support.  I forget the details.

But things changed, and we adopted from an orphanage.  We provided them with some cash, but it's not the same.

Answer 3

The support I received was exactly what I wanted/needed.  I had the choice to have three post-placements within the first year; or after the first year, one post-placement visit for the readoption through my state.  I chose the one post-placement after the first year because it was cheaper.

I also processed the state readoption court paperwork by myself to save money.  All went through fine and my son is now an official citizen of the USA.

I adopted from Guatemala.  That was their policy...  but other countries differ, as you very well know.

As far as help after the adoption... I would like to have communications with my son's natural family but that's nothing that they offer...  and I don't think many adoption agencies offer that for international adoptions.  I do wish they did.

As for health or counselling...  if I feel that my son or I need it, I will go to my doctor.  Not the adoption agency.

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Before I knew about my son, I established a Guatemalan Adoption group for my local area.  We meet periodically and let the kids play while the adults talk about all kinds of issues.  This December will be our four year anniversary.

Answer 4

The state required monthly visits from a SW until finalization. This was an inspection, not any kind of support. We have had no further contact from/with our agency-which is a good thing.

Wondering- does your agency invite the families of origin to this shindig? or are they left out in the cold?

Answer 5

Even now, two years after the fact, I can call my adoption worker at anytime for advice or help. They will provide my son with therapy, a cyc again if needed. The post placement visits stopped after the adoption was finalized. They were foster kids for the first 4 months and ontario canada enforces a strict adoption probation period for 6 months after fostering is over. They would come in every 30 days and speak to the kids and us. We also had a cyc (child and youth worker) in our home twice a week for the first year to help with the adjustment and to work with our son who has rads. Every once in a while we get a quick phone call to see if we need anything. They also are a go between between us and the kids mom so I can send her packages with pics and letters. They also hooked us up with a support group and will do any research we ask into community resources. I think that the post adoption support is adequate for the a-family. However, i wish it were different for my kids' mother.

I wish they would give more post adoption support to my kids' mom. I wish they would continue to offer her help and addiction services even though the kids are no longer going home to her.