Networking and communication is an important part of getting out the word that you’re looking to adopt. You never know how, or where you’ll connect with someone seeking an adoption plan for their unborn child. We asked our forum members how they go about spreading the word and we’d love to hear from our blog readers as well.
Here’s what some of them suggested:
We had spread our desire to adopt through word of mouth only. The possibility of adoption was a subject that came up often during the course of our miscarriages and infertility treatments. My doctor had even indicated that he was often made aware of situations through his work as an OB/GYN. Family members who often had unwanted and unsolicited advice, were also aware of our desire to adopt and often alerted us to possible situations. My husband’s job brought him into contact with many people during the course of the week, and our first situation was through a co-worker who was friends with a tenant in one of the apartment complexes.
There are much better and more wide-spread ways to network, but this simple form of spreading the word, brought us 3 situations over the course of one year.
I spoke with our adoption attorney for suggestions. We signed up with an agency she (the attorney) knew about; but then I kind of went out on my own. Actually, we learned more from venturing out on our own, than from anyone else.
We knew that we could adopt from other states other than our own, simply because we had relatives and friends in those particular states for the most part. I literally sat down with the computer, Googled those particular states with, “adoption agencies in XX(state)’
A long list came up each time, and I printed it off. I then sat down with pencil and paper and called any/all that I thought looked promising. Even if/when these agencies wouldn’t/couldn’t deal with us, I still learned sooo much just from questions and answers from them! And, then there were those I DID find out would/could work with us, and actually sent our profiles to them, as most would say they ‘often/always needed families wanting to adopt African American babies’.I kept a spiral notebook with all of the contacts and phone conversations I had. In this way, I was also able to make remarks as to why or why not that particular agency did/didn’t meet with my liking. It helped immensely!!!! And honestly, there were those who might not have been able to help us (due to higher fees or not being able to deal with people outside of state), but they’d give the name of another attorney or agency we might be able to work with!
In this way then, when I’d see postings of available babies and the agencies that were handling the adoptions, I’d often know right up front whether I wanted to even call them or not. And….this info has helped others who needed info about a certain agency as well.
And, like I said, we sent out a lot of profiles to many of these agencies with the idea of ‘just in case’. In the last adoption, we were called for our baby, simply because I had had a lengthy conversation with one caseworker about their fees and our family! Even though I told them their fees were higher than we could afford, they called us because this was a special situation for them (and a stork baby, besides). They’d never seen our profile……but because of the conversation, we have our baby!!!
I kept everything written down of who and what agency/attorney I told with and the outcome. I sent profiles all over the place. Probably spent close to $500 worth of those things out! I checked the Forever Parents adoption forums regularly and other sites that listed hard to place situations. It was a member of Forever Parents who saw our son’s situation and shared it with the group.
Also, although I did not do this, I have heard of potential adoptive parents making business cards and putting them in everything they mail out (such a bills, etc) and posting them on cork boards at colleges, restaurants, etc. to get the word out they are looking to adopt. I always worried this could be an easy way to invite an adoption scam into my life so I didn’t do it.
We did nothing but wait for the right matches to come through our agency. They were dealing with about 20-30 placing mothers a year, and they aimed to keep 20 couples in The Book at a time.
I have become acquainted with Jeff at ParentGallery.com. He offers an affordable alternative to a.com’s ParentPages. He is kind enough to offer 2 free months to my clients. Another possible resource might be myadoptionadvisor.com/
Tags: Adoption, adoption agencies, adoption attorney, adoption attorneys, adoption forum, Adoption Forums, adoption plan, Adoptions, adoptive parent, adoptive parentsWe told our families (which are very large and nationwide), friends, co-workers, friends on Facebook and take advantage of every oppurtunity to tell someone when the topic of children comes up which happens quite often. We will also send our profile to the the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys once our certification to adopt is approved.
I really agree this is a topic which should get more attention in the media (not only social media).
Unfortunately people seem to be more attracted to shitty things that happen to people all day long than topics that matter and can change many lives.
Ionut Popa´s last post….Downtown Toronto at night