We are waiting to adopt. How can we network more?

Question

We are waiting to adopt and have our homestudy completed by the state. Our agency wait is roughly 1-2 years currently. What can we do to network and search for private adoptions? We have info from our state for foster adoption but we are looking to adopt an infant. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Replying to your edit.

That IS advertising.  I understand that advertising is the beast of domestic adoption now a day, but it is what it is.

You shouldn't be presented to any woman when in those situations.  NOT EVER.  When a woman in a crisis pregnancy is looking to professionals for help (ob-gyn, church, etc...) they should not be presented with potential adoptive families before creating plans of actions exploring their choices.  To put the paper perfect family presentation before they even have a chance to think about what they can offer their child is coercion.

Answer 2

A Link Adoption

1-704-272-2229 Amy Miller

Answer 3

We are foster parents and have adopted 6 children. We have adopted 2 newborn babies. All that it cost was the birth certificate fee. So don't think that you can't adopt a newborn through the state. Since Garrette's law was passed there are a lot more babies than before. The law is if a mother or her baby tests positive for drugs then they are removed and placed into foster care. The mother has a chance to go into rehab and take her baby. Most of the time they do it, but some don't and if there is no family that wants to take the child then they go up for adoption. Also something that we didn't think about doing all the years we were trying to adopt is check with the women's prisons. We were going to adopt a baby from a girl in prison and it was going to cost the attorney fees. Of course it fell through the week before he was born. Family members finally stepped up and took him, but if we were trying to adopt a newborn then I would try to contact prison chaplains and start there. Just know that any adoption you are on a roller coaster. Just when you think things are going good then you fall straight down, but again know that it will be worth all the heartache. I would go through everything again to have the family I have now.

Answer 4

Before you advertise, make sure it's legal in your state to do so.  Here is a link that allows you to search your own state's statutes:

http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/l...

Our state allows advertising by potential adoptive parents so we printed cards stating that we were "A family to two hoping to become a family of more" with our adoption counselors contact information on it.  We passed out a few to friends and family, but felt weird "soliciting" in that way.

So, what we did was we told anyone that would stand still long enough to listen that we were hoping to adopt, had an approved homestudy, and were waiting on being matched with a birthmother.  Word of mouth is the best "advertising" there is.

My aunt was the one that actually met our children's birthmother and told her about us.  The rest of the story is just a true blessing!

Answer 5

l would strongly suggest that the only way you approach a private adoption is through an adoption lawyer.  l absolutely wouldn't 'solicit' birthmothers, or make any arrangements with a birthmother without legal representation.  l know it may seem time consuming and more expensive, but in the long run it will save you a heck of a lot of heartache and money.  Best of luck to you, l hope you are blessed with a child soon.

Answer 6

Sometimes newspapers have add's for people looking to take there children. Also there is other adoption agency that are privately owned and are a less time to wait.