Any LDS adoption help for non-active members?

Often if you do private adoption, and do your own networking, you can adopt less expensively then through an Agency (even a subsidized agency). If you are wanting to work with an agency, have you considered something like Catholic Charities or Catholic Social Services? They work with all Christians, I believe. I am not sure what their fees are. Good luck, feel free to e-mail me, Stephanie

Hi love, I actually have checked into Catholic Family Services here locally. The lady I talked to said that they do work with non Catholic adoptive parents, but that in "most cases the bmoms are looking for a good catholic family and are presented with a lot of options." We may still consider going through them, I just want to make sure if we are putting all of the money we can into an adoption we will get proper representation. I wouldn't want to be put at the end of the profile's list for potential bmoms because I am not catholic. Not that I have been told they do that or anything, but the lady didn't offer to send me a packet or anything, she didn't ask me to come in and talk or offer to direct me to anyone. She just said "Ok, well thanks for your interest in CFS, have a great day!" I know of a bmom who is going through them, and she did say she is not Catholic, and she told them she would like to see files where at least one parent was Christian, but I am not sure how it works. I don't know if I could go in and ask to be presented to that particular bmom or how it works. She used to work with me, and she said had she known before she signed up with them she would have thought about going independently with us, but that if we wanted to work with her we should go through them. I guess there are just a lot of questions I have that the lady on the phone didn't seem to want to answer for me, so I don't know if it is the right option for us. I got your IM by the way, I'd love to talk! Thanks! Carrie

Hello! I am the mom of two bio kids and one adopted. We are currently awaiting the arrival of another little angel in a couple of weeks. Adoption can feel so overwhelming and it is difficult to know where to put your trust - especially when there is a lot of money involved. With our first adoption we used an agency and with our current adoption we have used a facilitator (A Labor of Love Adoptions)We have had good experiences with both, but have found our facilitator to be much more personable and easier to work with. If you do some research on adoption laws in your state, you will be able to determine what kind of adoption services you can use. Check out washington.adoption.com for more info on the laws in your state. As far as I know, Washington is a state that allows you to use a facilitator, so you have lots of options! We have not spent a ton of money with either adoption. We found it to be very close to what we would have had to pay through LDSFS, but the wait is so much shorter. We have been working with our facilitator only 12 weeks! If you would like any more info, or just want to chat - - please feel free to contact me. Good luck and just remember that we are not fully in control of this process. The spirit will guide you to the path you are meant to take. Have faith and do lots of research and then follow your gut feeling. Everything will work out just as it is meant to. Angie

Angie, Thank you! I actually didn't realize there facilitators. That would be an idea we would be willing to look into! 12 weeks is a short wait! How exciting. Congratulations on all of your adoptions. I'd love to chat anytime! My email is carriewoman1977@hotmail.com Thanks for everything, Carrie

If you already have a contact that would like to place with you, then you don't need an agency. Your friend shouldn't be locked in to a contract with Catholic Charities. Here is an LDS based support group you are welcome to join. Me and a friend started it. [url]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Adoption_Adventure/[/url] It's a place where everybody is in about the same life situations, It isn't all just about adoption either, but as we found how much we had in common, we decided to start this group in case there was more girls like us.

Hello, Welcome to our group! Besides LDS FS, there aren't any other adoption options through the church, however there are a lot of agencies that may be owned or operated by church members. I have heard that there are agencies in Utah that deal with people all over the US and I think there are some that have members who work there or who run them. Another good idea is to just inform everyone you know that you are interested in adoption. You hear about people all the time who adopted their frined's niece's daughter or something. You can also post banners on webpages like hopetoadopt.com and adoptintime.com. There are a lot of avenues, you just have to look into what it right for you, your family, and your expenses. There are agencies, facilitators, state agencies, adn attorneys that all offer different kinds of adoptions and adoption prices. LDS FS might still be right for you eventually, just maybe not right now in your lives. Have you considered going back to church? It is always good to increase your networking and to have the support of family, friends, and church members to go through this process because it can be tiresome and trying, but definetly worth it. I am not sure what I would have done during the hard times in my life without the support of all of those groups. Good luck, we wish you the best in your adventure! LBL:)