Domestic Private Agency Adoptions
Services provided by most agencies today differ considerably. Birth parents may be involved in the selection of the adoptive family. Some birth parents plan the adoption with the adoptive parents they have selected. Although typically private agency adoptions include some interaction between the families, most communication occurs through the agency which maintains anonymity of the parties. This may be changed if, at a future date, both parties choose to have direct communication.
The role most agencies pursue in adoption planning is to assure that the adoption meets the needs of the child, who is the primary client. Agencies typically have educational and counseling components for the parties making these important decisions.
Efforts are made to place special needs children in adoptive homes. These children may be members of a sibling group, older, have medical conditions requiring special care, be mentally or physically challenged, or exhibit behavioral problems. Adoption subsidies may be available for these children, when placed by an agency, to encourage their adoption and lessen the likelihood of their growing up in foster care or in institutions.
Licensed private agencies charge varying fees which may include the costs for birth parent counseling, adoptive parent home study and preparation, child's birth expenses, post-placement supervision, legal expenses, and a portion of agency costs for overhead and operating expenses. Families who locate their own birth parent(s) may find an agency which will provide designated adoption services (such as birth parent counseling, home study, and supervision services only).