35 replies to this topic

[Axl2]

So my husband and I have decide to start the adoption process in Alberta. I have phoned 3 adoption agency Adoption by Choice, Adoption Options and Small Miracles. I like them all. I'm having a hard time figuring out which agency we should go with. I'm wondering what agency you guys went with and why? And what your experience was with them?

 

Thanks!!

[staceylee]

HI Axl2

 

We went with Adoption Options.  I went with them due to their statistics and the number of babies they place each year.  I felt that bettered our chances.  My experience with them from start of the process to the adoption of our daughter was great.  Even though we adopted our daughter almost two years ago I  still continue to deal with them today(not trying to adopt a sibling).  Due to the circumstances around our adoption we will most likely continue to work with them for years to come. 

[lynblair]

Although we did not end up adopting, we did go through the application process and were approved by ABC in Edmonton.  I cannot recall now why we went with them, I think perhaps because of sats or because they would also help with international (we also applied in the USA at Adoptions by Shepherd Care) , but I cannot totally remember.  They were great.  We learned so much through the process and they were very accommodating and also caring.  The whole application process took less time than I thought, if you move ahead with everything you can as soon as you can.  I would have been more than happy to continue our relationship with ABC, and still think very fondly of them.  You get to know the people intimately, is it is such an intense process.  Good luck with your search for the right agency. 

[JacMac]

We also went with ABC due to our birth family wanting to go with them. Ours was not a regular adoption because it was more of a direct placement situation.
According to stats, AO places more babies but has more couples on their waiting list, where is ABC is smaller so less placements but less couples. Really you should contact both and see which appeals to you more. Yo do eat with these people a lot during the process.

[Axl2]

Thanks ladies!! I have phoned both agencies. I didn't really like Sheila from ABC she seemed like she just want me off the phone, but I did like the receptionist at ABC.

 

Stacylee, how long did it take for you to go through the homestudy and get approved. And how long did it take to get placed? If you don't mind me asking.

[Tilly]

Hi Axl2,

 

We also went with AO. We made the decision really based on their helpfulness on responding to our initial questions (we had a lot!) and I guess just first impressions. Personally, we have had a good experience since. We had our homestudy written up and approved within 3 months of us submitting all of our paperwork. We were on the waitlist two years prior to our placement with our daughter.

[JacMac]

Yeah, Sheila can be a bit brusque but is very nice overall.
Did you talk to Deanna at ABC? We love Deanna. She was a birth mother herself and her story was an encouragement to us as we moved forward with our very open adoption.

[Merry33]

I second what everybody else said - talk to both (best in person) and then go by your intuition/with whom you get along better. Both AO and ABC are good agencies, their placement rates are pretty much identical, and you'll be in good hands in both places.

 

I don' t think Deanna is there anymore; their new admin is Beverly.

[JacMac]

That makes me sad because Deanna was such a great resource, and definitely a welcome influence for our birth mother.

[Axl2]

That's to bad I liked Deanna she was so helpful. She must have left recently I talked to her the end of August.

[RainbowsPromise]

We went with Christian Adoption Services and couldn't be happier. We learned so much during their seminars and they keep in contact with waiting families regularly by e.mail to let you know what is going on at the agency. I liked that it was a smaller agency as well, so they knew you and your preferences. FYI, the agencies in AB all seem to do the same average number of adoptions based on their waiting list. Our agency does around 10 to 12 per year but only has about 30 couples on the wait list. You can look at stats on the AB govt website for more but I remember one of the two larger agencies (AO, I think it was) said they did 50 adoptions a year but their wait list was 150 couples, so it's something to ask when considering the agency as well.

[Axl2]

Hi RainbowPromises, With Christian Adoption agency you have to be Christian which we don't go to church. So that is why I didn't call them to find anything out. But I have decided that we will be going with Adoption by Choice. The workshop dates line up with my husbands days off. We won't be able to do the workshop until May, but we will start the rest of the paper work. I can't wait to get everything done and process on the roll.

[staceylee]

AXL2 - Sorry for the delay on your questions.  Our homestudy started in May 2011 we were officially accepted on the list July 2011.  We waited 17 months from the day we were put on the official list. 

[Merry33]

Our paperwork and home study took about 6 months to complete (total - as in, from when we got the package to when we went on the list). A lot depends on how fast you can get everything done (or if you need to be fingerprinted for the criminal record check), and also how fast your references get things done (I think that actually took the longest time - they need to do something written and then also a phone call).

[Axl2]

We won't be able to start the process until May. Because of my husbands days off so it will take us little longer. We are going to wait to submit our application form until May. I was told by Sheila that we had to submit criminal record check and medical history at the same time. I wish this was little bit of an easier process. I just hope everything works!!

[Merry33]

From what I remember the issue is that the criminal record checks have to be somewhat recent (within a few months).

Good luck with everything!

[JacMac]

Criminal record checks expire after 6 months. So best to wait until you're ready.

[Axl2]

Yeah that's why I don't want to submit the application until we are done the workshop. I called ABC they are not taking anymore people at this time disappointed, but moved onto Adoption Options we are booked in for the seminar. Still wont be able start until the spring. Feeling good I just want to get this process on the go. When you guys did the homestudy what did they look for and say. I'm nervous about not getting approved I almost feel like its when your getting loan and waiting. Not that I'm comparing this to getting a loan lol.

[Axl2]

Stacylee, that's not that long of a wait. Where you picky about the gender etc.? I hoping we will be on the waiting list by the fall.

[staceylee]

Axl2 we were not picky about gender.  We were somewhat picky on disorders and such and moderate exposure to drugs and mild exposure to booze.  

[Merry33]

They are not taking any more people at all (that would be odd)? Or just for the seminar?

 

The home study was not very hard at all. I found they did focus quite a bit on the question on how we coped (or not) with the infertility treatments etc. There'd have to be something very significantly 'wrong' not to get approved (eg an unresolved addiction issue or a serious criminal past; things like that).

[Axl2]

Thanks ladies!! What she said at ABC was that at this moment they are not taking on anymore application, but to call in February. She wouldn't even let me book the seminar. I didn't want to wait that long cause who knows if I would get the same answer, so I booked the seminar with AO. I'm just nervous about not getting approved cause we don't have a plan b. Once I know we are approved I will feel better. How long was the homestudy I read that it can be anywhere from 8 - 10?

[Tilly]

We were paranoid about not getting approved (not that we have anything that would be concerning in our past), that was my biggest stressor by a long way (it also didn't matter how many people told me that we had nothing to worry about etc..). Once we had done the homestudy I couldn't believe how much time I had spent worrying about something that was essentially a chat (easy to say in retrospect though) and how much time I had spent cleaning our house! We did our homestudy over two visits, one at their office which was about 2 hours and one in our house that was about 3 hours. When setting up the appointment in our house the social worker did say to put aside both days of the weekend incase things spilled over from the first day, but there was definitely no need as a fair portion of the home visit was spent talking about summer plans and other unrelated things!

[Axl2]

Thanks Tally!! That makes me feel a little better. I think its not knowing what to expect. 3 hours for the homestudy in your home isn't bad.

[miller85]

We went with AO and LOVE them!! From day 1 they have been super helpful! We recently got placed with our newborn baby boy 3 months ago (instant placement) and were only on the wait list for 5-6 months. It's very rare for this to happen so soon, and we were completely shocked when we got the phone call but our birth parents wanted specific things (location was huge, lifestyle, hobbies etc;) that our profile offered. If it helps - DH and I were super picky in what we wanted (I felt a little guilty about it) but it didn't seem to matter as we were placed quickly.