Questions to ask (orientation meeting with agency)

[teraiin]

Hi everyone! MH and I will be meeting with a local agency for an orientation meeting this evening. We have been spending the last few weeks researching many agencies to try to find the 'right' one that meets our needs and that we feel good about. So we've tentatively narrowed our search down to one specific local agency and one specific national one.

You all were extremely helpful with my introduction post suggesting questions/things to consider when interviewing and meeting with our agencies.

I was just curious to know if you guys have any other questions that you feel are ones that should be asked. I'd really hate to walk away from this meeting with some big questions that I somehow forgot to ask.

This is (roughly) what I have jotted down:

1. How many families do you work with?
2. How many placements have you done in the past year?
3. What is the typical waiting time? What is the ratio of placements to waiting families?
4. Can you please explain your openness policies? (The website is quite vague about the 'degree of openness' so I'd like to know more)
5. What is the protocol for 'failed' match? 
6. What services do you offer for birth mothers?
7. What fees are due when/what fees are non-refundable/etc.

Thanks so much. I'm excited to be moving forward, even if it's just an orientation meeting.

[drl]

# 3 may be hard for them to answer, as it varies based on so many factors. You'll get a better idea of wait time by knowing the ratio of placements to waiting families, which you already have on your list, yay!

Their degrees of openness may also vary based on birthparent wishes. But I agree it's a good idea to see how they handle openness. For example, our agency encouraged at least semi-open (letters/pictures through the agency) but worked with BPs who wished to have a closed adoption.

I might be more specific about how they handle failed matches. For example, do those parents get put at the top of the list to have their profile shown afterwards, how are any match fees handled.

I would ask what services were offered for birth parents, not just birth mothers.

Other questions that you can mull over, just as I think back on our experience. Some may be too specific for an orientation, more of a brain dump

What is your state's protocol for identifying/notifying birth fathers.
Does the agency have support groups available for waiting families.
Does the agency have classes (optional or required) on the adoption process and childcare.
Does the agency have resources to check out as you're going through the process
Does the agency give guidance on particular steps in the process, like putting together a profile
Will you be able to hear from birth parents about their experience (we got to see a video of a birthmom who talked about her experience, and occasionally one comes to a support group meeting to share her story)
What kind of support for APs is in place for ICPC
Does the agency provide cradle care or are children placed immediately with APs
Does the agency provide references of APs who have adopted (or even those with failed adoptions)

[teraiin]

drl you pretty much read my mind on all the questions I had listed!

That's more of what I was thinking for 3. I knew that question wasn't 'quite right' but couldn't figure out how to make it a better question. (Asking about ratio specifically)

The website pretty much only said "we encourage a small degree of openness" which is fine, I'm just curious what their idea of 'some degree of openness' really is.

The rest of those questions/suggestions are awesome! Thanks for taking the time to put those together for me.

I'm incredibly curious about the orientation meeting set up. I needed to RSVP for it and the way it was presented (with the initial info packet) made it seem like it won't be JUST us. But something about the way the secretary discussed it with me made it sound like it might only be just us. I guess I will find out tonight.

[lizblue]

Most things have been covered. I might add asking about average time it takes from application to approval. Also, do any fees expire? Do you have to re-up at any point in time?

Best of luck!!

[theatrepal]

Is your contract with the agency for a certain period of time? Do you have to pay additional fees to sign up again?

How how do they handle birth parent counseling? Is it for life?

Do they help expectant moms get on state health care if they are uninsured?

Have they had success getting babies on state insurance to have birth covered?

[theatrepal]

Good luck!

[redandblue]

Nothing to add as we went through a public CAS, but wanted to say good luck at your orientation!

[nobb14]

How are birth/expectant mothers "found"- is there reach out to planned parenthood etc, or is it mostly the women finding the agency?

[pinkie]

Hope it goes well

[teraiin]

Thanks for all the help everyone!

It went very well and we were overall extremely pleased by the answers and figures we were given.

My husband left the meeting more enthusiastic and excited than he had ever been up until this point. He was the one who originally decided now was the time to research adoption, but it's as if now he feels like he can get more excited.

[lizblue]

I'm glad it went well teraiin! My H also got super excited after our informational session with our current agency. He was always on board, but I think it made it real for him.

[ceejay]

Glad it went well, teraiin! It's great that YH is so excited about everything.

[getzystark]

Glad it went well!!