04 Sep Choosing Local Adoption Agencies Vs National Adoption Agencies
Choosing Local Adoption Agencies Vs National Adoption Agencies
By Nicholas Rodinos
Many birth mothers ask themselves whether they want to use local vs. national adoption agencies. That question depends on your specific needs concerning adoption staff, variety of adoptive families, and cost. Both types of adoption agencies screen adoption candidates, provide support and counseling for birth mothers, and mediate post-adoption contact. Adoption Choices of Arizona can explain the advantages and disadvantages of local and national adoption agencies.
Advantages of Local Adoption Agencies
There are plenty of pros for Local Adoption Agencies, such as:
More Personal Adoption Staff
Local social workers can meet with you and provide you with more one-on-one attention than national agencies. These Arizona adoption agencies provide you and your case with the attention you both deserve during this emotionally-draining process. Adoption agencies in Arizona provide you with the necessary attention and support, so you can focus on your needs. These adoption professionals will be supporting you emotionally in every decision and at every step of your journey.
Better Understanding of Local Adoption Laws
These Arizona adoption agencies have a better understanding of local laws regarding adoption procedures, and financial support. Adoption agencies near you can explain changes in local adoption laws and how they impact the adoption process. These agencies can explain all the details regarding how much power you have over the Arizona adoption process. Local adoption agencies have more accountability and are under greater scrutiny by the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
Less Expensive
Local adoption agencies tend to be less expensive because they have fewer overhead costs to worry about. These are adoption agencies in Arizona, local to your area, so you won’t need to worry about travel costs. Placing a baby for adoption is free, and if you’re eligible Arizona adoption agencies will provide financial support. This support can include financial assistance, rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, housing, psychological counseling, and pre- and post-natal medical care.
Meeting Local Adoptive Families In-Person
Local Arizona adoption agencies tend to have local adoptive families, so it’s easier to meet the adoptive parents. Adoption in Arizona allows you to screen candidates for how they meet your standards for parenting a child. You can conduct an in-person interview with the adoptive parents and determine if they meet your qualifications. If you have an open adoption plan, you can easily physically meet with your child and their adoptive parents.
Disadvantages of Local Adoption Agencies
While there are pros of Local Adoption Agencies, there are also some cons:
Smaller Staff
Your local adoption agency manages fewer caseloads; however, they also have a smaller staff. A smaller staff can mean longer wait times for various Arizona adoption resources. The smaller staff could mean sharing post-adoption counseling with other birth mothers. While adoption agencies in Arizona may have a smaller staff, they ensure your control of the adoption process.
Longer Wait Times
These wait times are usually short; however, they can be unpredictable due to having access to fewer adoption resources. Arizona adoption agencies have smaller caseloads, “which can mean shorter wait times;” however, they also have fewer social workers. The local adoption agencies will find a social worker to provide your case with all the necessary attention. Adoption agencies in Arizona can have longer wait times, but that’s to ensure that we’re providing for you properly.
Advantages of National Adoption Agencies
National Adoption Agencies, have their strengths and weaknesses, here are some of their greatest strengths:
More Staff
Adoption agencies in Arizona have large staffs, however, national agencies have a larger staff that covers the country. National adoption agencies have more staff for adoption screening, financial support, psychological counseling, and mediating contact with adoptive parents. If one social worker is too busy to manage your adoption, there are multiple social workers to assist you. National adoption agencies have the staff to ensure that the adoption process runs quickly and smoothly.
Wider Variety of Adoptive Families
National adoption agencies can provide you with multiple candidates from across the United States if that’s what you desire. A national adoption agency can find more adoptive parents for your baby, giving you more variety in your choices. Arizona adoption mostly searches for Arizona locals to raise the baby, whereas national adoption agencies provide more options. If you are open to or prefer transracial or LGBT+ adoption, now you have more options.
Shorter Wait Times
Since these agencies have more access to various resources for pregnancy help, they also have shorter wait times. While national adoption agencies have larger caseloads, they also have more staff members to oversee those caseloads. The larger staff creates a shorter wait time so that you can have more time to consider your options. A national adoption agency’s shorter wait time is spent making sure your needs are met.
Disadvantages of National Adoption Agencies
Here are some cons to consider when considering National Adoption Agencies:
More Expensive
National adoption agencies can be more expensive when considering overhead costs, travel costs, and financial support eligibility requirements. Since national adoption agencies have more resources, they can be more expensive, especially regarding overhead costs. “Travel costs may be a factor to consider,” as you may have to travel to meet the adoptive parents. While they do offer better access to pregnancy help, there may be more eligibility requirements for you to meet.
Less Understanding of Local Adoption Laws
National adoption agencies provide adoption across the country; however, they may lack an in-depth understanding of local adoption laws. Their staff will understand the basics; however, they may not be aware of various changes to the local laws. When adopting out of state, national adoption agencies and their birth mothers must comply with that state’s adoption laws. National adoption agencies might demand that you comply with other states’ laws regarding placing a baby for adoption.
Impersonal Adoption Staff
Due to the larger caseloads of national adoption agencies, the adoption staff may not be as personable to you. Your adoption coordinator or social worker’s routine may be less personalized to you and more goal-oriented and basic. Your social worker might not be able to meet with you due to being in a completely different state. This is not the case for every national adoption agency; however, it can be a factor to consider.
Difficulty Meeting Adoptive Families In-Person
You can meet the adoptive parents through video chat, but an in-person meeting can provide more information. “In-person interviews are not necessary,” however they can provide more insight into the adoptive parents’ personalities. If you create an open adoption plan with these adoptive parents, you’ll probably have to keep your meetings electronic. The adoption agency may be able to have the adoptive parents meet you in person.
Choosing Local Vs National Adoption Agencies in Arizona
You have all the power in this process, whether you choose local or national adoption is your decision. Both agencies have their strengths and weaknesses regarding cost, adoptive parent pool, wait times, and understanding of local laws. You’re making the right choice because you are doing what’s right for your baby, and you. Hopefully, this article has provided you with enough information regarding adoption agencies, so that your decision will be easier. If you’re a birth mother with adoption questions, Adoption Choices of Arizona can provide you with specialized adoption resources. We are a licensed private adoption agency dedicated to providing children with loving homes and building Arizona families. If you have questions regarding placing your baby for adoption, don’t hesitate to contact us.