The Road to Adoption

The decision to adopt wasn't something we decided today or at any one time really.  My husband and I met when we were Peace Corps Volunteers in Bulgaria.  I worked in the orphanage for children with disabilities and children under 4, what Bulgarians call a "Baby Home."  We always thought we'd have one and adopt one.  Things don't always go as planned.  Now we are thinking "we'll adopt one (or two) and see what happens." 
The decision to adopt from Bulgaria was an easy one.  We know the country, we speak the language, and we can help the child get accostumed to American culture and language. 

Getting started isn't so easy.  I never realized that even choosing your adoption agency is a big step.  I found help from other parents going through the process.  We got lots of recommendations for agencies and some ideas in what to look for.  Probably the most important tip we have received so far was to check the agency's finances.  Every non profit has to file a 990 tax form which is available on guidestar.com.   You can request an agency's Annual Report- this would be that "not so easy" part.  We have one agency that hasn't even gotten back to us now over a month later after submitting a request on their website and trying their number, another agency giving us the run around on the annual report and a whole pile of agencies in the not a chance pile after seeing their financials.  I am no financial expert, but I happen to have a sister who is an auditor.  
Apart from finances, I want to make sure the agency has a good reputation and that previous parents were happy with the process.  It is important that the agency has a good and reputable partnership with a Bulgarian agency, answers e-mails quickly, is upfront about the costs and what is expected of the parents and has a professional staff.  Bulgarian adoption is a long process, they say 18 months to 2 years, but many people report it taking much longer than that.  We are in no hurry, but we don't want the agency slowing the process down on their side. 
Otherwise, Bulgaria is a Hague treaty country, which was enacted to protect children from traffickers.  It protects the parents too, by making sure agency are properly accredited.  The process is lined out for you from the beginning, and as long as all your ducks are in a row, everything will go as planned!
This is my first time through the adoption process and I found this checklist to be really helpful: http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/pdf/AdoptionPlanner.pdf.


I guess the clock officially begins today: June 9th day 1 in our adoption journey!