What's The Difference Between An Adoption Consultant And An Adoption Agency?

Are you considering adoption and wondering what direction to turn next? The two main paths toward adoption that hopeful adoptive couples typically take are working with an adoption agency or working with an Adoption Consultant. What's the difference, and how can you decide which path is best for you?

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN USING AN AGENCY AND USING AN ADOPTION CONSULTANT

Adoption Agencies often have wait times of several years for hopeful adoptive families, depending on the size of the agency.	Adoption Consultants typically decrease wait time by connecting hopeful adoptive parents to multiple adoption agencies.
Adoption Agencies divide their time between caring for expectant mothers and hopeful adoptive parents.	Adoption Consultants focus on providing care and education solely to hopeful adoptive parents.
Adoption Agencies work with expectant mothers.	Adoption Consultants do not work with expectant mothers.
Adoption Agencies place children with adoptive families.	Adoption Consultants do not place children.
Adoption Agencies help adoptive parents connect with expectant mothers they are working with.	Adoption Consultants point adoptive parents to adoption agencies; the agencies then connect the adoptive parents to expectant mothers.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE IF USING AN ADOPTION CONSULTANT IS A GOOD FIT FOR YOU?

Now that you have a clearer picture of the differences between an adoption agency and an Adoption Consultant, you're left to decide which route to take. As you gather information and pray about whether using an Adoption Consultant is a good fit for you, the following questions may be helpful to consider:

• Does the idea of having your own personal guide focused on helping you through each step of your adoption journey sound appealing? 
• Would you like to maximize the amount of opportunities you have to present your profile book to expectant mothers?
• Is wait time something you want to factor into your decision?

If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, using an Adoption Consultant could be an excellent fit for your adoption journey! 

I'd love to hear from you! Contact me at katiefenska@gmail.com.