Questions to Ask an Adoption Professional
This is the final installment in a series of reflections about a book I’m reading: The Post Adoption Blues: Overcoming the Unforeseen Challenges of Adoption, by Karen J. Foli and John R. Thompson. Parts 1-12 were posted September 12, 14-16, 19; October 11-13, 18, 27, and November 4 and 5.
When you’re planning to adopt, you need to educate yourself about the professionals you are considering. “As in any field of service, the competency of adoption professionals varies widely. Their goals and mission statements vary considerably,” write the authors.
Here are some questions you should ask:
- How long have you been in operation?
- Where do your operating funds come from?
- Are you licensed by the state? (If you’re interviewing a facilitator, ask them if they work with reputable agencies. Get the names of the agencies and contact them, as well).
- Has there been or is there presently any litigation pending against your business?
- How extensive is the training that your staff members receive?
- How much experience in adoption services do you require of your staff members?
- Can I speak with some of your former clients?
- How much pre-adoption counseling is provided for adoptive parents?
- What kind of post-adoption counseling is provided for adoptive parents?
- If no post-adoption counseling is provided, can you refer me to other competent professional services for post-placement followup?
- What is the nature of the adoption counseling provided for prospective birth parents? Does the counseling give them the freedom to choose parenting, or does it steer them toward adoption?
- What steps do you take to forge relationships that will be healthy and natural for both the adoptive family and the birth parents 10 years down the road?
- What steps do you take to make sure that the rights of all parties are protected?
- What kinds of glitches have you experienced during your facilitation of adoptions and how have you dealt with them?
The answers that the adoption professional gives you should come in a patient, prompt and professional manner.
For more adoption information, visit Laura's Web site: www.laurachristianson.com
hi my name is laressa i am adopted and i live with my mom and adopted dad my real father just recently emailed me and wants to meet me i do want too meet him but i dont know what to talk about what should i ask him i was wondering if you had any ideas if so please email me
thank you
laressa
Posted by:laressa | Tuesday, October 03, 2006 at 03:19 PM
I have a few questions to ask and I didn't were to look. I think this website will help me. These are the following questions can some one please tell me
1. Can you be adopted by a family on welfare?
2.How much will it cost?
3.Can I do the paper work myself?
4.My friends family once to adopt me and my parents are okay with it. So were can I get the papers done?
Posted by:Hong VO | Friday, April 13, 2007 at 10:09 PM