There are a number of different agencies which provide a wide range of adoption services.
For infant adoption, most agencies practice openness and have the birthparent(s) select the adoptive parents and meet
with them. The adoptive parents and birthmother may agree to limited contact between the birthmother and child once the adoption
is finalized. Agencies charge placement fees to adoptive parents which vary according to family income and the special needs
of the child. Agencies are also able to offer foster care services for children and a variety of homestudy services. Agencies
provide free and professional counseling to birthparents and their families. Check with the specific agency for the services
they provide.
In an agency adoption, the formal custody transfer is from the birthmother to the agency,
and then to the adoptive parents at finalization. Finalization occurs after the post-placement visit and report and is usually
completed within one to six months. The longer post-placement period is for children with special needs and for older child
adoption.
If you would like to speak with the director of a Washington licensed child placing agency,
you may call Nancy Johnson, MSW, at Spokane Consultants in Family Living, at (509) 328-6274 (Spokane, Washington), (800) 828-6274,
E-mail: scfl@host33.com
If you would like to speak with the director of an Idaho licensed placing agency, you
may call Donna Euler MEd at Idaho Youth Ranch, (208) 667-1898, Email: adoptionsnorth@youthranch.org
or Carolyn Harrelson at A New Beginning
Adoption Agency, (208) 755-1608,
http://www.adoptanewbeginning.org, Coeur d'Alene,
Idaho.
If you are working with an agency and require legal services for the termination of parental
rights or the finalization of the adoption and would like to speak with an attorney, please contact Mark R. Iverson for a
free one half-hour consultation at the following address:
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Mark R. Iverson, P.S. 921 West
Broadway Suite 301 Spokane, Washington 99201 (509) 462-3678 Toll Free:
1-800-338-8273 E-mail Address: mark@adoptionlegalservices.org
Contact
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