website: http://www.pactadopt.org/

Re: Seeking a domestic adoption agency
I knew that I wanted to adopt through the foster system and had an excellent experience with Family Builders, which has an Oakland office. I also highly recommend Pact (also in Oakland). Again, they did not do our adoption but are an excellent resource. I wish you the best!

Re: First-time adoption - which agency? which attorney?
In part it depends what kind of adoption you are interested in--international, domestic, foster-adopt...If you are interested in adopting domestically an infant of color, I highly recommend Pact in Oakland. Adoption Connection in San Francisco is also a reputable agency for domestic adoption.

A respondent to the person requesting info about adoption organizations characterized Pact of San Francisco as doing biracial adoptions. Pact is a non-profit adoption facilitator with offices in Oakland and San Francisco. Their work is placing children of color with adoptive parents/families of all ethnic backgrounds. Some but not all of the infants they place are African American or of mixed race who are adopted by white parents (transracial adoption). An enormous aspect of Pact's mission is to provide support and education about race and adoption to its many members and clients throughout the over the U.S. They are also a great source of books about race and adoption for kids and adults, as well as offering for sale a huge selection of kids' books featuring children of color.

Pact's number is (415) 221-6957.

On the Web, contact: www.pactadopt.org or E mail them at info AT pactadopt.org

Patricia