Okay! Here it is!! The first step in our adoption process! Are you excited? Because I am! It's time to find an agency! With my cup of coffee in one hand I sit down at the computer and start with everybody's friend: Google. Realistically I know this is going to take some time to find the exact match for us, but secretly in my head I want to find the right one NOW!
A few hours later, and it seems too early to be getting frustrated. But there it is. Frustration is settling in and everybody knows it by all my heavy sighs. Google search generates the exact same list of results over and over regardless of the variation on search terms. I keep getting pop-up ads and commercials for agencies who are HUGE. Agencies who are not located near me. Agencies who just don't look like they would care about my family. I also keep getting adoption agencies in my area for pets. Whereas I would love to have a dog, that isn't currently what we're going after here!
That's when my mother suggested I speak to Melissa, my cousin. Melissa who has recently adopted her own wonderful little son. Good advice, Mom! Melissa suggested I find real people who have experienced this side of adoption and can help answer questions, point me toward agencies, etc. Sound advice from a wonderful woman. Some of her resources came up with two agencies in my area; Jewish Family Services and Coordinators 2. Then those agencies lead me to several other resources, and then: Bam! Less frustration already!
Jewish Social Services Agency: All the forms you need to fill out are available for download and easy to read. This is also the first time I have seen prices for home studies and other services related to the adoption process spelled out in the open. Another thing to consider is that JSSA is a reliable source, and have been around for 120 years (according to their website). That certainly a huge plus when deciding who to work with.
Coordinators 2: Awesome website, easy to navigate. They have a ton of information regarding adoption in general. So it's a good source of information if nothing else. They seem very community based, and hold monthly events for their adoptive families as well as families waiting to adopt. They also offer workshops and trainings for families in the adoption process, which is pretty awesome. Unfortunately they're located in Richmond, and that's quite a drive for us. They did lead me to another resource: AWAA
America World Adoption Association: Their domestic adoption services are currently closed to couples who live outside of Iowa (as of December 2013). But there is a lot of helpful information on this website as well. If you are looking to adopt internationally, they have many resources to look through. Once you register, you are able to download their information packet and they also list all their fees on the page.
Focus on the Family: My wonderful mother-in-law sent this site to me. They have several pages of information, but do not appear to be arranging adoptions or placing children at the moment.
I think these four are enough for me to start processing information, and are certainly enough for one blog post. I feel it's important to note that I have not yet worked with any of these agencies or foundations; we're still in the "searching for an agency" phase.
So, I'm less frustrated now. I have a couple of leads to look into and that's something. I also found some grant information which I will dedicate a blog to in the near future. Jonathan and I are also going to go buy "Adoption for Dummies" or something along those lines within the next couple weeks and I'll review that and any other book we read here as well. Anything else anybody wants me to talk about in particular? Leave me suggestions in the comments!
Until next time!
Nikisha - AKA Mommy
A few hours later, and it seems too early to be getting frustrated. But there it is. Frustration is settling in and everybody knows it by all my heavy sighs. Google search generates the exact same list of results over and over regardless of the variation on search terms. I keep getting pop-up ads and commercials for agencies who are HUGE. Agencies who are not located near me. Agencies who just don't look like they would care about my family. I also keep getting adoption agencies in my area for pets. Whereas I would love to have a dog, that isn't currently what we're going after here!
That's when my mother suggested I speak to Melissa, my cousin. Melissa who has recently adopted her own wonderful little son. Good advice, Mom! Melissa suggested I find real people who have experienced this side of adoption and can help answer questions, point me toward agencies, etc. Sound advice from a wonderful woman. Some of her resources came up with two agencies in my area; Jewish Family Services and Coordinators 2. Then those agencies lead me to several other resources, and then: Bam! Less frustration already!
Jewish Social Services Agency: All the forms you need to fill out are available for download and easy to read. This is also the first time I have seen prices for home studies and other services related to the adoption process spelled out in the open. Another thing to consider is that JSSA is a reliable source, and have been around for 120 years (according to their website). That certainly a huge plus when deciding who to work with.
Coordinators 2: Awesome website, easy to navigate. They have a ton of information regarding adoption in general. So it's a good source of information if nothing else. They seem very community based, and hold monthly events for their adoptive families as well as families waiting to adopt. They also offer workshops and trainings for families in the adoption process, which is pretty awesome. Unfortunately they're located in Richmond, and that's quite a drive for us. They did lead me to another resource: AWAA
America World Adoption Association: Their domestic adoption services are currently closed to couples who live outside of Iowa (as of December 2013). But there is a lot of helpful information on this website as well. If you are looking to adopt internationally, they have many resources to look through. Once you register, you are able to download their information packet and they also list all their fees on the page.
Focus on the Family: My wonderful mother-in-law sent this site to me. They have several pages of information, but do not appear to be arranging adoptions or placing children at the moment.
I think these four are enough for me to start processing information, and are certainly enough for one blog post. I feel it's important to note that I have not yet worked with any of these agencies or foundations; we're still in the "searching for an agency" phase.
So, I'm less frustrated now. I have a couple of leads to look into and that's something. I also found some grant information which I will dedicate a blog to in the near future. Jonathan and I are also going to go buy "Adoption for Dummies" or something along those lines within the next couple weeks and I'll review that and any other book we read here as well. Anything else anybody wants me to talk about in particular? Leave me suggestions in the comments!
Until next time!
Nikisha - AKA Mommy
