© 2008 Dawn De Lorenzo

Adoption Agency Research Questionnaire

Agency Name: __________________________________ Date Contacted: __________________

Name/Title of the Person Spoken to: _____________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________ Ext. _________ E-Mail: __________________________________

How long has the agency been in business? ______________________________________________

How many adoptions has this agency facilitated? ________________________________________

How long (or how many adoptions) has the agency been facilitating adoptions in the

country of interest to you? _______________________________________________________________

What state does this agency operate out of? ______________________________________________

Is this the same state in which the agency is licensed to perform adoptions and where

the agency is incorporated (or where they are registered as a non-profit organization)?

YES NO

If yes, what is their license number? _______________________________________________

If no, record information about their license and business incorporation or non-profit

status here:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Who is the owner of the business? _________________________________________________

Who is the Executive Director? _____________________________________________________

Has the owner or Executive Director ever owned or operated an adoption agency in

another state? YES NO

© 2008 Dawn De Lorenzo

If yes, in what state and what was the name of the agency and the reason the agency

is no longer in business? __________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Has the owner or Executive Director ever had their adoption agency license revoked

or requested to be surrendered?

YES NO

For domestic adoption: What support services (legal advice, counseling) is offered to

the natural mother and natural father before, during, and after placing their child for

adoption?

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

For International Adoption: Does the agency have Hague Accreditation, and if so,

what type? YES NO

________ Accredited

________ Temporary Accreditation (1 yr.)

________ Temporary Accreditation (2 yr.)

________ Approved For Profit Service Provider

Is the agency a member any professional organizations?

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

© 2008 Dawn De Lorenzo

What support or educational opportunities are available for Adoptive Parents using this agency?

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Does the agency charge a different fee based on race, ethnicity, or gender?

YES NO

Does the agency offer grants for adopting a child with special needs?

YES NO

What post-placement support is available? ______________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Have any adoptions facilitated through this agency been disrupted?

YES NO How many? _________________

Does the agency assist adoptive parents facing a disruption of a child adopted

through their agency? YES NO

If yes, in what manner is the family assisted? ______________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Is the agency fiscally sound? You can check many non-profit organizations’

financial records at www.guidestar.com. Request the agency’s financial records

directly. Are they willing to disclose this information?

YES NO

© 2008 Dawn De Lorenzo

Information Obtained Through My State Licensing Department

Contact Name: ______________________________________ Date: __________________

Phone/Ext. _________________________________________ Title: __________________

Have there been any complaints filed? YES NO

If yes, note the date(s), nature of the complaint, whether it was investigated, and the

outcome: ________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Client References

I urge you to get a minimum of five client references from the adoption agency you are

investigating. Ask for references that are recent, as an agency that once enjoyed a positive

reputation can quickly become one with numerous complaints. Request references from

clients in the program you are interested in as well as others. You want assurances that

the agency, in its entirety, conducts itself in a transparent and ethical manor that is

respectful of all members of the adoption triad.

Reference #1

Name: ________________________________ Phone: ___________________ Year Adopted: _________

Reference #2

Name: ________________________________ Phone: ___________________ Year Adopted: _________

Reference #3

Name: ________________________________ Phone: ___________________ Year Adopted: _________

Reference #4

Name: ________________________________ Phone: ___________________ Year Adopted: _________

Reference #5

Name: ________________________________ Phone: ___________________ Year Adopted: _________

© 2008 Dawn De Lorenzo

WARNING SIGNS

Is not forthcoming with information.

Does not provide concrete information, but rather speaks in generalizations often

emphasizing a “special” or “privileged” relationship that enables the agency to

process adoptions faster or assures “healthier” children.

Offering the referral of a child in a country that does not allow pre-identification of

a child. Will stress an “ends justify the means” mentality.

Pressure to “sign up” quickly in order to “get a child”.

Attempts to isolate you from the adoption community; urging you to stay off Yahoo

groups, blogs, or listservs.

Has a contract with a gag clause.

If you inquire about an issue or negative experience or report from another client

be leery if the agency speaks poorly about the client, sometimes going as far as

saying “They are crazy/ unrealistic/demanding/too sensitive, etc…”

Operating their business in a state other than where they are licensed especially if

the only business address is a purchased “suite box” such as Mail Boxes Etc.

Requests money to be wired to unknown individuals.

Consistently uses language that is emotionally charged often calling into question

“how much you really want a child.”

Heated debates on the internet in Yahoo groups and other arenas both in support

of the agency and against the agency. There should not be an extreme polarity in

opinions. Agencies should not pit clients against each other!

*REMEMBER: Choose an agency based on its reputation as a service provider NOT

based on a specific child you see in a photolisting. If any agency tries to make you

feel “indebted” to them for “getting a child for you” they are being manipulative!

© 2008 Dawn De Lorenzo

Important Links and Resources

U.S. Department of State:

http://www.travel.state.gov/family/adoption/adoption_485.html

Rip Off Report:

http://www.ripoffreport.com

Adoption Agency Research Group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AARD/

Ethica ~ A Voice for Ethical Adoption Placement:

www.ethicanet.org/

PACT ~ An Adoption Alliance

http://www.pactadopt.org/

Focus on Adoption: An Intercountry Adoption Advocacy Organization

http://www.focusonadoption.com/

PEAR ~ Parents for Ethical Adoption Reform

http://www.pear-now.org

Informed Adoption Advocates

http://www.informedadoptions.com

Full Contact List for the Attorneys General

http://www.naag.org/ag/full_ag_table.php

Smart Money Magazine Article: Ten Things Your Adoption Agency Won’t Tell You

http://www.smartmoney.com/tb/Jtyq.2FdE.3D

© 2008 Dawn De Lorenzo

US State Licensing Specialists

Alabama Department of Human ResourcesFaye Wilson50 North Ripley StreetMontgomery, AL 36130Phone: (334) 242-9500Fax: (334) 242-0939E-mail: fwilson@dhr.state.al.usURL: http://www.dhr.state.al.us

Alaska Department of Health and SocialServicesTracy Spartz-CampbellPO Box 110630130 Seward Street, Room 4FJuneau, AK 99811-0630Phone: (907) 465-3209Fax: (907) 465-3397E-mail: Tracy_Spartz-Campbell@health.state.ak.usURL: http://www.hss.state.ak.us/ocs/

Arizona Department of Economic SecuritySybil OliverOffice of Licensing Certification & Regulation- Child Welfare Licensing Unit1951 West Camelback Road -- Suite 400Phoenix, AZ 85015Phone: (602) 347-6340Fax: (602) 336-9603Toll-Free: (888) 229-1814E-mail: soliver@azdes.gov

Arkansas Department of Health and HumanServices -- Division of Child and FamilyServicesDebbie RoarkChild Welfare Agency Licensing UnitPO Box 1437, Slot 570Little Rock, AR 72203-1437Phone: (501) 683-2045E-mail: Debbie.Roark@arkansas.gov

California Department of Social ServicesCommunity Care Licensing744 P Street, MS 17-17Sacramento, CA 95814Phone: (916) 657-2346Fax: (916) 657-3783URL: http://ccld.ca.gov/default.htm

Colorado Department of Social ServicesMarlene RomeroDivision of Child Care1575 Sherman StreetDenver, CO 80203Phone: (303) 866-5958Fax: (303) 866-4453Toll-Free: (800) 799-5876E-mail: marlene.romero@state.co.usURL: http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/childcare/

Connecticut Department of Children andFamiliesThomas Dematteo505 Hudson StreetHartford, CT 06106Phone: (860) 550-6306Fax: (860) 566-6726E-mail: thomas.dematteo@state.ct.us

Delaware Department of Services forChildren, Youth and Their FamiliesCynthia BrownOffice of Child Care Licensing1825 Faulkland Road -- Delaware Youth andFamily CenterWilmington, DE 19805Phone: (302) 892-5800Fax: (302) 633-5112E-mail: Cynthia.Brown@state.de.usURL: http://www.state.de.us/kids/occl.htm

Delaware Department of Services forChildren, Youth and Their FamiliesMaxine TravisOffice of Child Care LicensingBarrett Building - 821 Silver Lake Blvd, Suite103Dover, DE 19904Phone: (302) 739-5487Fax: (302) 739-6589Toll-Free: (800) 822-2236E-mail: Maxine.Travis@state.de.usURL: http://www.state.de.us/kids/occl.htm

District of Columbia Department of Health -Licensing and Regulatory AdministrationPatricia VanBurenHuman Social Services Facility Division825 North Capital Street NEWashington, DC 20002Phone: (202) 442-5929Fax: (202) 442-9430E-mail: patricia.vanburen@dc.gov

Florida Department of Children and FamiliesChris LolleyOffice of Family Safety1317 Winewood Boulevard -- Building 6Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700Phone: (850) 921-1928E-mail: Chris_Lolley@dcf.state.fl.us

Georgia Department of Human ResourcesCarol WinsteadOffice of Regulatory ServicesTwo Peachtree Street NWAtlanta, GA 30303-3142Phone: (404) 657-9611Fax: (404) 657-5708E-mail: cswinstead@dhr.state.ga.usURL: http://www.ors.dhr.state.ga.us/

© 2008 Dawn De Lorenzo

Hawaii Department of Human ServicesLynn Kazama810 Richards StreetSuite 400Honolulu, HI 96813Phone: (808) 586-5698Fax: (808) 586-4806E-mail: lkazama@dhs.hawaii.govURL: http://www.hawaii.gov/dhs/

Idaho Department of Health and WelfareSteve GreenDivision of Family and Community Services450 West State Street -- PO Box 83720Boise, ID 83720-0036Phone: (208) 334-5534Fax: (208) 334-6699E-mail: greens@idhw.state.id.us

Illinois Department of Children and FamilyServicesDenise MurrayDivision of Foster Care and PermanencyServices406 East Monroe StreetSpringfield, IL 62701-1498Phone: (217) 785-2688URL: http://www.state.il.us/dcfs

Indiana Department of Child ServicesBeverly Gatling402 West Washington StreetRoom W-364Indianapolis, IN 46204-2739Phone: (317) 232-3476Fax: (317) 232-4436E-mail: Beverly.Gatling@dcs.in.govURL:http://www.state.in.us/dcs/protection/lcpa.html

Iowa Department of Human ServicesLaVerne ArmstrongAdult, Children, and Family ServicesHoover State Office Building, 5th FloorDes Moines, IA 50319Phone: (515) 281-6802Fax: (515) 281-4597E-mail: larmstr@dhs.state.ia.usURL:http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/dhs2005/dhs_homepage/children_family/adoption/index.html

Kansas Department of Health andEnvironmentLinda Sturgeon, MSW, LBSWChild Care Licensing & Regulation, ChildPlacing Agency and Residential Programs1000 SW Jackson, Suite 200 -- Curtis StateOffice BuildingTopeka, KS 66612-1274Phone: (785) 296-8892Fax: (785) 296-7025E-mail: lsturgeo@kdhe.state.ks.us

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and FamilyServicesDivision of Regulated Child Care275 East Main Street ? 6E-BFrankfort, KY 00004-0601Phone: (502) 564-7962Fax: (502) 564-9350E-mail: rob.hester@ky.govURL: http://chfs.ky.gov/oig/drcc.htm

Louisiana Department of Social ServicesBureau of LicensingPO Box 3078Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3078Phone: (225) 922-0015Fax: (225) 922-0014E-mail: ystewart@dss.state.la.usURL:http://www.dss.state.la.us/departments/os/Licensing_.html

Maine Department of Health and HumanServicesLinda BrissetteOffice of Child and Family Services221 State Street -- Station 11Augusta, ME 04333-0011Phone: (207) 287-5060Phone: (207) 287-4139Fax: (207) 287-5282E-mail: Linda.Brissette@maine.govURL: http://www.afamilyforme.org/foster.html

Maryland Department of Human ResourcesSocial Services Administration311 West Saratoga StreetBaltimore, MD 21201Phone: (410) 767-7359E-mail: emooney@dhr.state.md.us

Massachusetts Department of EarlyEducation and CareCentral Office600 Washington Street, Suite 6100Boston, MA 02211Phone: (617) 988-6600E-mail: David.Mcgrath@state.ma.usURL: http://www.eec.state.ma.us

Michigan Department of Human ServicesJames B. GaleOffice of Child and Adult Licensing7109 West Saginaw -- PO Box 30650Lansing, MI 48909Phone: (517) 335-6124Fax: (517) 335-6121E-mail: jbgale@michigan.govURL:http://www.cis.state.mi.us/brs_cwl/sr_cwl.asp

© 2008 Dawn De Lorenzo

Minnesota Department of Human ServicesDivision of LicensingHuman Services Building444 Lafayette Road NorthSt. Paul, MN 55155Phone: (651) 296-3971Fax: (651) 297-1490

Mississippi Department of Human ServicesGloria SheltonDivision of Family and Children Services750 North State StreetJackson, MS 39202Phone: (601) 359-4599E-mail: gshelton@mdhs.state.ms.us

Mississippi Department of Human Services,Division of Family and Children ServicesLinda Owens750 North State StreetJackson, MS 39202Phone: (601) 359-4656E-mail: lowens@mdhs.state.ms.us

MissouriDept. of Social ServicesResidential Programs Unit1500 Vandiver Drive, Suite 103Columbia, MO 65203573-884-4394

Montana Department of Public Health andHuman ServicesLaura TaffsPO Box 8005Helena, MT 59604-8005Phone: (406) 444-5919Fax: (406) 444-5956E-mail: ltaffs@mt.govURL:http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/cfsd/adoption/adoptioninmontana.shtml

Nebraska Department of Health and HumanServicesMary DyerPO Box 95044301 Centennial Mall South -- Child andFamily Services DivisionLincoln, NE 68509-5044Phone: (402) 471-9331Fax: (402) 471-9034E-mail: mary.dyer@hhss.ne.govURL: http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/adoption/Intercountry Program- Agency Able to Place Children with UnitedStates Citizens Living Abroad (Intercountry)

Nevada Department of Human ResourcesWanda ScottDivision of Child and Family Services4220 South Maryland Parkway -- Building B,Suite 300Las Vegas, NV 89119Phone: (702) 486-7633Fax: (702) 486-7626E-mail: wlscott@dcfs.state.nv.usURL:http://www.dcfs.state.nv.us/DCFS_Adoption.Htm

New Hampshire Department of Health andHuman ServicesGail DeGooshDivision of Children, Youth and Families129 Pleasant Street -- Brown BuildingConcord, NH 03301-6522Phone: (603) 271-4711Fax: (603) 271-4729E-mail: gdegoosh@dhhs.state.nh.usURL:http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/FCADOPTION/default.htm

New Jersey Department of Human ServicesAnna MontesOffice of Licensing - Youth and FamilyLicensingPO Box 707Trenton, NJ 08625-0707Phone: (609) 987-1985E-mail: anna.montes@dcf.state.nj.usURL:http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/adoption/resourceframe.html

New Mexico Department of Children, Youthand FamiliesPERA BuildingPO Drawer 5160Santa Fe, NM 87502-5160Phone: (505) 476-0343Fax: (505) 827-8480E-mail: isabel.garcia@state.nm.usURL: http://www.cyfd.org/

New York State Office of Children andFamily ServicesCarol McCarthy52 Washington StreetRiverview Center, 6th FloorRensselaer, NY 12144Phone: (518) 474-9406Fax: (518) 486-6326Toll-Free: (800) 345-5437E-mail: carol.mccarthy@dfa.state.ny.usURL:http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/adopt/agcymenu.Asp

© 2008 Dawn De Lorenzo

North Carolina Division of Social ServicesBob HensleyDivision of Social Services, Regulatory andLicensing Services932 Old US 70 Highway, Building 17 -- BlackMountain CenterBlack Mountain, NC 28711Phone: (828) 669-3388Fax: (828) 669-3365E-mail: bob.hensley@ncmail.netURL:http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dss/licensing/index.htm

North Dakota Department of HumanServicesJulie HoffmanChildren and Family Services DivisionState Capitol, Department 325Bismarck, ND 58505Phone: (701) 328-4805Fax: (701) 328-3538Toll-Free: (800) 245-3736E-mail: sohofj@nd.govURL:http://www.state.nd.us/humanservices/services/childfamily/adoption/

Ohio Department of Job and FamilyServices, Office for Children and FamiliesAmy Eaton50 West Town StreetPO Box 182709Columbus, OH 43218-2709Phone: (614) 466-1213Fax: (614) 466-6185URL: http://jfs.ohio.gov/oapl/index.htm

Oklahoma Department of Human ServicesDivision of Child CarePO Box 253522400 North Lincoln BoulevardOklahoma City, OK 73125Phone: (405) 522-1511Toll-Free: (800) 347-2276E-mail: susan.case@okdhs.org

Oregon Department of Human ServicesTreatment Services and Licensing500 Summer Street NE, E83Salem, OR 97301-1066Phone: (503) 947-5208Fax: (503) 947-5084E-mail: kathy.spear@state.or.usURL:http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/children/adoption/indadoptions/licensedag.shtml

Pennsylvania Department of Public WelfareOffice of Children, Youth and FamiliesPO Box 2675Harrisburg, PA 17105Phone: (717) 214-9780Fax: (717) 346-9663E-mail: ewhitesell@state.pa.usURL:http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/Child/AdoptionFosterCare/

Puerto Rico Department of the FamiliesHon. Angie Varela LlavonaP.O. Box 11398Santurce, PR 00910Phone: (787) 722-7450Fax: (787) 723-1223

Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth,and FamiliesLee Sperduti101 Friendship Street4th FloorProvidence, RI 02906Phone: (401) 528-3605Fax: (401) 528-3650E-mail: lee.sperduti@dcyf.ri.govURL: http://www.dcyf.ri.gov/licensing.htm

South Carolina Department of SocialServices1535 Confederate AvenuePO Box 1520Columbia, SC 29202Phone: (803) 898-7507E-mail: Lstaudt@Dss.state.sc.usURL:http://www.state.sc.us/dss/adoption/index.html

South Dakota Department of Social ServicesDavid HansonChild Protection Services700 Governor's DrivePierre, SD 57501-2291Phone: (605) 773-3227Fax: (605) 773-6834E-mail: david.hanson@state.sd.usURL:http://www.state.sd.us/social/cps/services/licensing.htm

South Dakota Department of Social ServicesDistrict OfficeDivision of Child Protection Services811 East 10th Street, Department 10Sioux Falls, SD 57103-1650Phone: (605) 367-5600Fax: (605) 782-3149E-mail: Ronald.Riedel@state.sd.usURL:http://www.state.sd.us/social/cps/services/licensing.htm

© 2008 Dawn De Lorenzo

Tennessee Department of Children's ServicesMark Anderson1272 Foster AvenueNashville, TN 37210Phone: (865) 594-2836E-mail: Mark.Anderson@state.tn.usURL:http://state.tn.us/youth/adoption/2005AdoptionFeeSchedule.pdf

Texas Department of Family and Protective ServicesChar BatemanPO Box 149030E-550Austin, TX 78714-9030Phone: (512) 438-3269Fax: (512) 438-3848E-mail: char.bateman@dfps.state.tx.usURL: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us

Utah Department of Human ServicesJanice P. KnaphusOffice of Licensing120 North 200 West, #303Salt Lake City, UT 84103Phone: (801) 538-4242Fax: (801) 538-4553E-mail: jknaphus@utah.govURL: http://www.hslic.utah.gov

Vermont Department for Children andFamiliesLucy Abair103 South Main StreetWaterbury, VT 05671Phone: (802) 241-2159E-mail: labair@srs.state.vt.usURL:http://www.projectfamilyvt.org/adoption.html

Virgin Islands Department of HumanServices, Children, Youth and FamiliesJanet Turnbull-Krigger1303 Hospital GroundBuilding A-Knud Hansen ComplexSt. Thomas, VI 00802Phone: (340) 774-4393Phone: (340) 774-7865Fax: (340) 774-0082

Virginia Department of Social ServicesLeslie Knachel7 North 8th StreetRichmond, VA 23219-3301Phone: (804) 726-7137E-mail: leslie.knachel@dss.virginia.govURL:http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/ap/index.html

Washington Department of Social and HealthServicesRandy RobertsDivision of Licensed ResourcesPO Box 45700Olympia, WA 98504Phone: (360) 902-7570E-mail: Rmra300@dshs.wa.gov

West Virginia Department of Health andHuman ResourcesKathie KingBureau for Children and Families350 Capitol Street -- Room 691Charleston, WV 25301Phone: (304) 558-8839Fax: (304) 558-4563E-mail: kking@wvdhhr.org

Wisconsin Department of Health and FamilyServicesMary E. MorseBureau of Regulation and Licensing1 West Wilson Street -- PO Box 8916Madison, WI 53708-8916Phone: (608) 266-0415Fax: (608) 267-7252E-mail: morseme@dhfs.state.wi.usURL:http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/licensing.htm

Wyoming Department of Family ServicesRose Fry851 Werner CourtSuite 200Casper, WY 82601Phone: (307) 473-3924Fax: (307) 473-3967E-mail: Rfry@state.wy.usURL: http://dfsweb.state.wy.us/certlist.htm