How to Choose the Best Adoption Agency in Florida

Placing your child for adoption is one of the most selfless and loving decisions you will make in your lifetime. Making an adoption plan for your baby is also the most difficult and emotional decision you will make in your life. It means you are putting your child’s needs above your own, to make sure he or she lives a wonderful life. Now that you have made a decision, you may be looking for the help of an adoption agency to start the process. If you are living in Florida and considering adoption, there are an array of adoption agencies that can help. How can you ensure you are choosing the best adoption agency in Florida?

At the end of the day, you will want to find the Florida adoption agency that is best for you. Everyone is different. You may be looking for an adoption agency that is small enough to give you the personal attention and guidance to help you feel comfortable with your decision. You may be looking for an experienced adoption agency that has been working with expectant/birth mothers for many decades. You may simply want an adoption agency that will listen to you and support you in times of need. Think about what is important to you and remember this in your search. The best adoption agency in Florida will be able to meet your needs, will support you as an expectant/birth mother, and will also have experience in local adoptions.

Why Work with an Adoption Agency in Florida?

As you consider making an adoption plan, you may be asking yourself: Do I really need to work with an adoption agency?

There are many reasons to work with a professional adoption agency. Finding a full-service adoption agency can offer you care and support, at no cost to you. In fact, many adoption agencies offer financial assistance to expectant/birth mothers. At Adoptions With Love, for example, expectant/birth mothers in Florida have access to the following services and financial assistance:

• Financial assistance with utilities, phone, maternity clothing, and other necessities, as needed.
• Designing your adoption plan. You can choose and meet the couple that will adopt your baby.
• Housing assistance. Get help paying a deposit and several months of rent.
• Complete counseling services by compassionate and experienced professionals to assist you in planning for your future and that of your baby.
• Medical care. If you do not already have a doctor, your social worker can help find a doctor who understands your emotional and physical needs.
• Legal assistance provided by experienced lawyers who specialize in adoption. Making sure that the rights of all those involved in the adoption process are respected and upheld is our utmost priority.
• Ongoing contact throughout the years.

There are many benefits to using an adoption agency, but one of the most important is the security you will feel from working with a licensed professional. Choosing to lean on an adoption agency means that you can be certain that your child is going to be placed in a safe, stable, and loving home. You can also find peace of mind in knowing that your health and wellbeing is a top priority, and that your needs will be met – both medical and emotional – throughout the adoption journey.

How to Find the Best Adoption Agency in Florida

Here, we will share the steps to take as you explore the best adoption agencies in Florida.

1. Do Your Research

Before you decide on the best adoption agency for you, you will want to do some research. Start to look up your options online. You can narrow your search by looking for the type of adoption agency that will meet your needs. There are many kinds of adoption professionals out there, but some focus on international adoption or foster care. You will want to seek a private adoption agency in Florida that prioritizes matching your baby with the best possible family. For example, Adoptions With Love is a private, domestic, non-profit, full-service adoption agency with decades of experience.

You can also learn a lot about an adoption agency based on its website. Does the site offer resources and information for expectant/birth parents? Is there a contact page with a phone number? Are there indicators that the adoption agency is reputable, such as mentions of “licensed” or “years of experience”? Perhaps most importantly, are there testimonials or reviews from other birth mothers? You will want to find a legitimate adoption professional that can showcase its work with a good first impression.

2. Ask Questions

After reviewing an adoption agency’s website, you will want to get to know the adoption agency professionals and ensure it is a good fit. Reach out to the organization to discuss your options, your current situation, and to learn more about their group. Take this time to decide if they are compassionate, understanding, and willing to listen to your needs. Make sure you do not feel pressured or put off by the conversation. You should feel comfortable every step of the way in the adoption process. You should not be afraid to ask questions, such as:

• What services are provided to expectant/birth parents?
• Are there any fees for expectant/birth mothers?
• Do you offer open and closed adoption plans?
• How do you choose and screen your families?
• What is the Home Study like?
• How much time do I have to decide on an adoptive family/adoption plan?
• What happens if I change my mind before baby is born?

You can never ask too many questions and every phone call – just like every other service to expectant/birth mothers – is completely confidential and free.

3. Find Success Stories

Adoption is not an easy decision, and it can sometimes feel like you are alone. However, there are many young women like you who have made this important choice. As you look for the best adoption agency in Florida, look for reputable accounts, stories, and testimonials from women who have placed a baby for adoption with the agency you are considering. You can often find testimonials right on an adoption agency’s website. You can also find potential problems reported on trustworthy, third-party sites such as the Better Business Bureau.

4. Trust Your Instincts

As you are researching different adoption agencies in Florida, it is always important to trust your gut. How do you feel about the communications you have had with their staff? How do you feel about their website and presence? Do you feel like you can trust them, and that they will be there for you throughout the adoption process?

It is important to base your research off facts and reputation, of course, but you will also want to feel comfortable working with this organization. If you get a bad feeling – i.e. if the social worker is rude on the phone or you do not feel the group’s website is very informative – you can keep looking. If the agency you reach out to is warm and inviting, compassionate and attentive, and cares about your needs, you may decide to continue working with them.

5. Look for Red Flags

In addition to a legitimate website and positive feeling about an adoption agency, you will want to look for warning signs that they may not be everything they claim. Does the website lack basic information, like an “About” page? Do they ask for your credit card information when you call? These are red flags that should steer you in another direction.

Another big red flag to watch for is a lack of options and services. As an expectant/birth parent, YOU should be able to decide which type of adoption you want. YOU should be able to choose the adoptive family for your baby. YOU should be put in the driver’s seat of your adoption plan, and your adoption agency should be there to offer support, guidance, and education.

At Adoptions With Love, we offer personalized adoption plans – including open adoption options – that will meet your needs. We also offer compassionate counselors who will listen to your desires and wishes and support you even beyond the finalization of your adoption. You can always choose the family that you feel is the best fit for your baby. You can always stay in touch with that family through our letter and picture program if you wish. These are your choices. We understand that you are the birth mother, and you know what is best for you and your baby at this time. We are here to guide you through the process, educate you on your options, and support your needs as you make this incredibly important choice.

Contact Our Florida Adoption Professionals

Adoptions With Love has been a reputable adoption agency serving expectant/birth mothers in Florida since 1986. Our team of counselors, attorneys, and adoption partners in Florida can ensure your adoption is handled with the respect, dignity, and compassion you deserve. Contact Adoptions With Love today to learn even more about our services. Call us 24/7 at 800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or contact us online.

If you would like to learn more about how to place a baby for adoption in Florida, click here.