Adoption Details

Today we want to write about a few of the important details we've ironed out concerning our adoption--agency, type (domestic vs international) and cost structure. It's a lot, so sit tight!

Agency

We found the adoption agency for us after many months of prayer and searching. A Step Ahead Adoption is a small consultancy (run by two people!) with 13 years experience specializing in intra-state adoption. We're working with Diane Hogan, the founder of A Step Ahead. She opened her consultancy after adopting her two children and dealing with the frustration of working with agencies whose employees, although they meant well, had no idea what it was like to adopt themselves. A Step Ahead values our opinions and allows us to control a lot more of the process. Thank the Lord for helping us find an organization in whom we have tons of confidence!

Type

We initially had no idea what intra-state adoption meant, so maybe you don't either. Basically, A Step Ahead maintains relationships with more than 40 adoption agencies all over the US.  When these agencies have children to place, they contact Diane and she consults with her clients (us) to discover whether or not it's a good fit. Throughout this process, A Step Ahead works with their adoptive families to accomplish adoption prep such as the home study, education requirements, etc. This strategy works well for military families like ourselves who have difficulty balancing long wait times at traditional agencies and the constant possibility of a move. Because A Step Ahead works across state lines, we never have to worry about paying some fees all over again just because the AF moved us.  That also means we could eventually adopt from Oregon, Vermont, or anywhere in between!

Cost Structure

Another reason we signed on with A Step Ahead is because it allowed us to have at least some control over the cost of our adoption. For those of you who don't already know, adoption services are really expensive! After interviewing an array of agencies, we found that infant domestic adoption can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000! Here's a break down of the average cost structure:

     $1,000 - Pre-adoption Training Fee and Formal Application Fee
     $3,000 - Adoptive Family Assessment Fee (Home Study)
     $2,000 - Initial Birth Parent Counseling Fee
     $2,000 - Initial Birth Parent Expense and Outreach
     $17,000 - Child Placement Fee

     Total - $25,000

A Step Ahead gives us some control by allowing us to set a cost ceiling.  In other words, they won't contact us about a potential placement unless the fees meet our budget.

Overwhelming?  No way!