FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What type of children does the agency place? (ages, backgrounds, etc.)
Adoption Advantage primarily places children who are newborn or still in infancy, of all races/cultural backgrounds. We will be glad to share suggestions from our experience that may help you decide what kind of child you would like to adopt. We can help you sort through questions such as adopting a child of a different ethnic or cultural background, the availability of twins and other choices along those lines.

How many matches is the agency currently averaging for placement of infants?
Adoption Advantage is currently matching three to four birth mothers with adoptive parents per month.

How will the agency conduct a search for you?
Adoption Advantage advertises in numerous media outlets covering a multi-state area, works with crisis pregnancy centers, schools, churches and utilizes several toll-free or "800" numbers. In addition, Adoption Advantage staff meets with a birth mother within 24 hours of an inquiry. Usually within 12 hours. This rapid response time ensures that all birth mothers in a crisis situation are fully cared for and allows Adoption Advantage to sign up more birth mothers for adoption placement.

What types of adoptive parents do we seek?
Adoption Advantage seeks families who can provide children with a good Christian home. There are no age limits for adoptive parents, although parents who are younger than 21 and older than 55 may have some special challenges in the adoption process.

How long, on average, must one wait for a child?
On average, a child will be in your home between 6 and 18 months. This time length may vary greatly depending on the type of adoption you are seeking. Your portfolio will then be shown to new birth mothers as they are approved. Our shortest time for a match has been ten days from the parents signing with Adoption Advantage to having a newborn in their home. The longest wait for a birth mother to match has been approximately one year.

What are the home study requirements?
Home study requirements are addressed in the section titled The Home Study Process, on the next page.

If you learn of a child in another state, will the agency pursue the child for you?
Yes. Adoption Advantage works with other agencies across the nation and facilitates the interstate compact process.

How much does a completed adoption cost - in total and part by part?
Total costs depend on the type of adoption you are seeking to complete. Our Adoptive Parent Coordinator will be happy to discuss all aspects of adoption finances with you.

Can the agency help applicants locate sources of financial aid, including subsidies?
Adoption Advantage assists adoptive parents in seeking sources of financial aid. Adoption Advantage also offers some financing options in special circumstances.

What if the adoption does not work out?
Adoption Advantage offers a "Fee Waiver" so that in the event of a disruption, Adoption Advantage will waive another adoption fee. In the event of a disruption, the adoptive parents are immediately placed back into the pool of available adoptive families.

Can the agency provide references from parents who recently adopted through them?
Adoption records are highly confidential, by law. Adoption Advantage will contact previous clients and give them your name and contact information so they can contact you, if they so desire. Most are very happy to talk with you and tell you of their experiences with Adoption Advantage. We do have some helpful testimonials for your perusal.