OH THOSE POOR ADOPTION AGENCIES - not

I guess adoption agencies are whining about money right now. They are saying that they have many mothers placing their children but the adoptive parents just can't afford it. Just another free advertising from the media for adoption agencies.

Here is how one agency is raising funds. They are selling the signs to the Nebraska Safe Haven laws that they protested recently. Sorry I won't contribute to helping an adoption agency or an adoptive parent raising funds to help out with this. The legislators in Nebraska will be changing the laws on their own without much help from me.

Here is the link and the story.

Hard economic times affect local adoptions

Posted: Oct 30, 2008 11:32 PM

Updated: Oct 30, 2008 11:40 PM

BY SARA GOLDENBERG
SGOLDENBERG@KJCT8.COM

GRAND JUNCTION (KJCT)- November is right around the corner, and local adoption agencies want to remind you it's National Adoption Awareness Month. Local adoption agencies say hard economic times are affecting adoptions. They say there are more children being given up for adoption, but there may not be enough families to take them in.

"At this point we're seeing an increase, not huge, but an increase of relinquishments of birth mothers. Because of the economy, they're not able to financially care for the child," said Gwen Eller, a birth parent counselor for Adoption Options.

She says more babies need homes, but the number of families looking to adopt a child has not changed.

"This month we have had an increase of relinquishments. If that's going to continue-I don't know," said Eller.

She says right now the adoption agency is carrying on like usual.

"We do adoption information nights. And that's where we get most of our referrals for adoptive families," she said.

This agency places mostly baby adoptions. Eller says they average 40 a year, and the average wait time for a child is two years. She says most adoptive parents are looking for an infant, but older kids and those with disabilities are often the most in need.

"We don't do a whole lot of them, because a lot of them go through the Department of Human Services. There is a great need for those," she said.

She says many people want to adopt a baby from another country... without looking at home first.

"For the most part it's not easier. We do have babies right here in Colorado that need to be adopted."

There are several adoption agencies on the Western Slope. You can also go to the Department of Human Services if you'd like to adopt a child.

If that's the case-- you'll have to go through an intensive screening process. It can take months to get approved-- and then you'll be put on a waiting list. It's something you have to be prepared for... especially financially. An infant adoption from the U.S. costs around $20,000.