Life Family Services

I'd like to know if anyone has experience with this agency as well? Please post if so! Their fees seem very reasonable. Sincerely, Linny

I've contacted Family Life Services, which works with the Liberty Godparent Home in Lynchburg, VA. Their website with qualifications and downloadable pre-app and formal app is [url]http://www.godparent.org.[/url] Be prepared if you print off the formal app.. it's HUGE! It's like a homestudy in and of itself! We finally went with a different agency, but filling out their app really helped us get information together. I'm not kidding, the thing is a monster! They did mention that they had four women who needed to place their minority children before the end of the year, and they do not have families to present to these young women. It probably has much to do with the fact that you must present as a Christian, must be active members of a church, must pay 10% tithe and have your pastor attest to the fact, have an unimpeachable credit record, may not drink alcohol or smoke. They do mention that these are more like guidelines than strict adherance to any point, but that these would be the best qualities for adoptive parents to have. I'm sure that scares off a few people. :-) If you desire a healthy caucasion child, then you may have 0 to 1 child. More than that will disqualify you. However, if you are open to minority children, you will still qualify if you currently have more than one child in the home. If you meet their qualifications you'll like how quickly the process moves. Their homestudy fees are only 1500.00, post placement supervision only being 100.00 each visit, and they are able to put together your homestudy in about six weeks. I believe if you go with their program, and actually adopt through their agency, then the homestudy fees are included in the 18,500 for caucasion adoption, the 7500 for biracial/special needs adoption and the 5000 for AA adoption. The woman I spoke with is named Deanne, and she was super nice, and seemed to genuinely care for the children. We simply found an agency in our area that was more reasonable, financially speaking, and seemed to have a bit more flexibility. This is long, but I hope it helped. Blessings, LouAnne

Thank you Louanne! We have an agency in our own state; but have also applied to other states as well. We have just sent this agency our profile, copy of our homestudy and the pre-app. We're hoping to adopt another AA baby......so maybe this will be the place to be? Who knows? I'd also add that one of their other requirements (if I didn't put in the other post), is that couples have to attend their training before the child's adoption is finalized. This is a huge inconvenience for us....as we live a very long distance away; but, we're willing to do this. I'm not crazy about Viriginia's law concerning 'revocation'......but at least when the deadline has passed, an adoptive couple is certain that the decision to release for adoption was thoroughly thought out and done. We'll see. Our own home agency may present a situation to us before we might be matched there.......but, like I said, you never know; and their fees are quite reasonable. Sincerely, Linny

Hi Linny, So have you already adopted an AA child? I would LOVE to speak with you concerning AA or biracial adoption, since we are STRONGLY considering this avenue. If you have any specific information or helps to share, please, please do! Feel free to email me at layfamily5@access4less.net. Blessings, LouAnne

LouAnne: I have 'pm'ed' you just now. Feel free to ask away!!!! LOL! Sincerely, Linny

Elizabeth, We have 2 girls (5 and 11 mos) that we have adopted from FLS. They are the best! We used them in 1998 and this past year. They are professionals in every sense of the word. Their work is truly a ministry to the glory of God. Praise God that both times we adopted in less than 1 year! Please feel free to email for more questions. Frank and Shelly Watson

Hello - We had a WONDERFUL experience with FLS in Lynchburg, VA and adopted two precious, caucasion boys in 2002 after less than a year wait. First of all, the staff not only have big hearts but are well educated and have many years of experience with adoption law, the adoption process and especially the counseling needs of their clients. Some residents of the Liberty Godparent Home chose to place their baby with an adoptive family rather than parent and use the FLS agency, but most of the FLS clients are not residents of the home. Clients have come from around the United States. One of our son's birthmothers lived in the home and one called 1-800 hotline to inquire about placing her child for adoption. The staff is very professional and have compassion for all parties. The most unique aspect of this agency, other than the counseling that is provided to all parties, is that the birthmothers/fathers choose their families after being matched with profiles from the adopting families (this process is very specific and is an entire discussion of its own!). Also, they cap their pool of waiting adoptive couples to about 25 at any given time and this is a very positive approach based on past experience. It is true that everyone must attend a training weekend before adopting, but it is a training session like no other! We learned so much during the educational sessions that were provided, interacted with many other couples that will be forever our friends, and above all it was spiritually uplifting. Our lives have never been the same since that weekend. Having the opportunity to hear the testimonies of other couples and their "story" about their adoption and infertility opened our minds and hearts even more. The application IS very detailed and it covers just about everything. That is an indication of how thorough they are and an indication of your commitment to the program. In our opinion the application addresses many issues not yet discussed between the adoptive couple and we welcomed the opportunity to better prepare us for parenthood. There are many more positives to this program and I would be very willing to discuss our experience with you in further detail.....just email!!! God Bless you! Alice

We adopted 2 children from Family Life Services this past year and had a good experience. The agency personnel are very knowledgeable and helpful. I liked the fact that there is a maternity home associated with them, so there are birthmoms always looking for families. I attended some of the birthmom support group meeting which are very informative and you have a chance to meet the birthmoms in a casual setting. The cost of the adoptions was reasonable and overall we had a very good experience. If you have further questions, feel free to contact me.