Maybe I will have visitors here that can help answer some of my questions.  I'm especially interested in someone who has experience with Liberia adoption.

How do referals work?  Does the adoption agency fit you with who they think is a good fit for your family then you make the decision from there?  Do you say, I'm looking for a set of sisters in this age range and wait til they find someone?  Do they give you a list of children to pick from? 

I'm learning that where we are at this time, it will be necessary to adopt children who are closer to our children's age, or younger, for safety reasons.  Is there a longer wait for younger children?  Is there a big jump in cost and if so, what age does the cost go up?

Is it possible to only request children who are orphaned or soon to be orphaned through disease?

How long does a homestudy take?  Who would be best to do our homestudy?

more questions to come!

Posted by PraiseHimMom

*** How do referals work? Does the adoption agency fit you with who they think is a good fit for your family then you make the decision from there? Do you say, I'm looking for a set of sisters in this age range and wait til they find someone? Do they give you a list of children to pick from? ***

Each agency is different. Acres does not do a first come first serve, they match the child via personality etc specific to your family. Others are first come first serve, others do just as you said, you tell what you want, then you wait for it. My agency keeps a list of waiting children...so you can also pick that way.

*** I'm learning that where we are at this time, it will be necessary to adopt children who are closer to our children's age, or younger, for safety reasons. ***

Could you leave me a comment about this? I would like to know what you mean as we are contemplating an older child.....

*** Is there a longer wait for younger children? ***

In international adoption, asking for the wait time would be like asking "how long is a piece of string"

*** Is there a big jump in cost and if so, what age does the cost go up? ****

No

*** Is it possible to only request children who are orphaned or soon to be orphaned through disease? ***

I suppose you could ask for that, but your wait may really lengthen?

*** How long does a homestudy take? Who would be best to do our homestudy? ***

Usually 6-12 weeks, you'll want to find a good agency in your state for your homestudy.

If you are dead set on a very young child then you may want to look into Acres of Hope or Lighthouse Adoptions

For children ages 3 or 4 and up look at Plan, or Angels Haven Outreach.

Posted by PraiseHimMom

Also if you want siblings, rather than just 1 child, definitely go with Angels Haven...they are the ONLY agency who does not charge full price X 2. ;-)

Posted by SeemsToBeNoWay

thank you so much!!! That was great info. I'll email you about your question. thanks!