| There are more than 2,000 licensed
private agencies in the United States with more than 700 listed as
having intercountry adoption programs. Prospective adoptive parents
should research the background of an agency before beginning the
adoption process.
The following steps provided by the National Adoption
Information Clearinghouse will help prospective adoptive parents assess the
reputation of licensed, private adoption agencies:
- Contact the State Licensing
Specialist in the state where the agency is located. The State
Licensing Specialist will be able to tell you if the agency is
in good standing, if there have been any complaints lodged
against the agency and how long the agency has held the license.
The State Licensing Office maintains complaint files as a public
service
- Go to the
State's Attorney General's Office
list to see if any legal action has been taken against the
agency. The Attorney General's office is a government office in
the state capitol. You may find their contact information in
Government section of the telephone book. Ask whether there is
pending litigation against the agency or whether the agency has
an established complaint file.
- Request at least three
references from the agency. Ask them to provide you with the
names and phone numbers of three clients whose adoptions were
completed at least three years ago. You may ask those adoptive
parents how the agency handled the adoption process, including
post-adoption services. Ask these parents if they had any
problems or concerns with agency.
- Join an adoptive parent
support group in your area. In adoptive parent support groups,
you can talk with other parents about their experience(s) with
local agencies. You may encounter individuals who have worked
with the agency you are considering. Find adoptive parent
support groups in your area, and near the agency you are
considering. If there are several parent groups in your area,
contact each of them to find out about their membership,
activities, and any support services available, to find the one
best for you.
- Contact the
Better Business Bureau closest to the agency. The Better
Business Bureau also provides a helpful tip sheet on
"Using an Adoption Agency". Always ask the Better Business
Bureau office staff person if that office covers the location of
the agency and if their office takes complaints on adoption
agencies. If they do not, then check with the
State, City, or County Government Consumer Protection Office
where the agency is located for complaints.
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