website: http://www.adoptionconnection.org/

Re: Adopt International, Adoption Connection, or Ind. Adoption Center?
My husband and I used Adoption Connection in 2010 and felt that while many times people were very helpful, overall several large errors were made, especially by our Adoption Coordinator. Given that this was the person who was our main link to the agency the errors started to become extremely frustrating. We both decided not to use them again when we adopt another child next year. Good luck, it's a roller coaster ride! -Anon

Re: Failed IUI/IVF - starting to think about adoption
We did a similar process and ultimately adopted our amazing daughter. We chose domestic open adoption mainly because the costs were much lower and we were able to bring our daughter home at 3 days old! We used Adoption Connection in SF. They have a pay as you go option so you don't need all of the money up front. Also with domestic adoption you have the ability to take tax credits after the first year even before the adoption is finalized. For us the process was swift. We filled out all our paperwork quickly and did all of the trainings asap. This meant it only took up 6 months from Orientation until we were ''in the pool''. We were very lucky to have our daughter home with us 4 months later. We were flexible and open to various races, ethniciies, etc. and were willing to take an emergency placement where the birthmom did not have a plan before the birth. This meant a phone call one day saying there is baby right now. Overall the process was great. I highly recommend adoption. In fact now I couldn't imagine it any other way. mom!

Re: Social Worker in Bay Area for international adoption
We used Adoption Connection in San Francisco to do our homestudy for our Chinese adoption. They are part of Jewish Family and Children's services and we thought they were wonderful: http://www.adoptionconnection.org/international_adoption_program.php

Note that they do not do international placement-- just homestudies-- and it was great having their perspective as objective professionals as we went through the process with our other agency. Good luck! China Mommy

Re: First-time adoption - which agency? which attorney?
Hi, We have a fabulous almost 4 year old little girl we adopted with the help of Adoption Connection. She was born domestically, locally and we brought her home at 3 days old. With AC our costs were relatively low and all of our money came back through the federal and state tax credits. We couldn't be happier. happy mom!

We are looking into adoption and are considering working with Adoption Connection in San Francisco. We would appreciate any comments on recent, or not so recent, experiences working with them. Since we are on a limited budget, and have heard about some horror stories from other agencies that kept coming with more and more expenses, we are especially interested in knowing if people have had good experiences about how they handled the adoption costs. If possible, we would appreciate learning how much the whole adoption process cost for people. Thank you very much!!! Hoping to be a mama soon

My story is a bit complex because it involved both domestic and international homestudies and, ultimately, placement through a separate international agency. (read: long, expensive journey with very happy ending)

AC is very professional, informed, accessible, well-respected...

What I can say is that, in terms of the costs that *can* be predicted, AC is very very clear about this. In fact, you sign a contract and they honor those fees, even if their rates go up. However, with domestic adoption, the costs vary based on birth mother's living expenses and other factors (medical not covered by b'mom, travel, extra attorney fees for special circumstances, etc.).

The route to private adoption, especially the search/match aspect (agency, attorney, facilitator, or combination) varies greatly from family to family. I will say that I know a number of people who were not successful in AC's search (seeking a match).

Wishing you an easy journey to your child(ren). Motherhood is the best! Feel free to email me off-list. lkm

I completely understand your concern and you are asking the right questions, having heard of other agencies' practices. However, I don't think you have anything to worry about here, at least from my experience.

I would close by saying that you should ask Adoption Connection to provide you with some referrals of adoptive parents for you talk to. This is standard practice, and I have found that most people are pretty candid when you talk to them, even if the agency has chosen them as references. Adoption Mama

Re: agency for domestic adoption
I stongly recommend Adoption Connection (http://www.jfcs.org/Services/Children,_Youth,_and_Families/Adoption_Connection/). Lynne Fingerman, the co-founder of the agency, is a Berkeley mom and has years of experience with every type of domestic adoption. She is well known and respected throughout the state. They were able to help us connect with birth parents. They help you with your letter, offer advice and counseling on inter-racial adoption, have great pre- and post-adoption workshops, etc. I can't say enough positive things about them. We had a great expeience and have several friends who have as well.
thrilled to be a mom