Agency Feedback - Hope for Families, Inc Ft. Pierce, FL?

Hope For Families is an awsome agency. You have to do the leg work to search for children, but once you inquire, Andy is on the ball with taking care of sending your hoime study, reviewing child studies and representing you at match. Hope for families interstate option is affordable and realatively easy. It is adopting children out of foster care from all states. It is the least expensive adoption option, but you are not guaranteed an infant. If you do sign up for Hope for families, and you choose the interstate adoption option, you can sign up for TARE which is free and they search for children in the texas area and A Family For Every Child is a program that for @100 a month they search all sorts of databases to match children to your criteria. Since February we have been matched with 150+ children and are now waiting on the match staffings to see if we move forward or not.

I believe that the interstate adoption program is either a scam or they are so incompetent that this is the only conclusion to draw. If you are unhappy with their services, they will promptly point to the nonrefundable contract and then tell you how you are to blame for their inadequacies. This is a perfect scenario for them, they will simply write you a "failed adoption" letter and encourage you to write off the expenses in your taxes, (therefore the taxpayers can pay for their horrible service and they keep your cash.) I do not have experience with their other programs, so I will only address this one. They are very upfront that the process requires a lot of legwork on your part and that there may be a long wait for the child you are looking for. We were on board and completely understood these two things. We paid $8,500 for a homestudy and to be part of the interstate program. We immediately started inquiring about as many children as we could find on the websites. It was apparent from the beginning that our only caseworker, Jaymie, did not communicate well and that we were never sure whether she was really responding to our inquiries or not. We had a few long phone calls with her and she seemed very experienced and knowledgeable. However, things began to happen that concerned us greatly. When you are searching for a child below the age of 6, it is imperative that your homestudy gets to the child's caseworker immediately because they receive so many homestudies and will promptly shut down the inquiries within about 24 hours. We were lucky if our caseworker, Jaymie, would respond within a week to two weeks. We often did not even know if she responded at all because she would not give us any sort of email or confirmation. She would sometimes forward the emails to us when she would send our homestudy in, an email is so easy to send that I do not understand why it takes over a week to send it out. When we started showing our concern, we began to get a barrage of reasons why she was not available. She had health issues, she has over 7 children and is still adopting, she is grieving for family members, etc. (She will very gladly give you all this information or you will get it from Ken.) When you call her, do not be surprised if you have to compete with children in the background. She also is only part-time! We had three separate meetings with Ken and associates in their office concerning our experience and concerns. We were always very supportive of Jaymie, she seems like a giving person, but we were not getting our needs met. We were promised a change and that they would be hiring new people to help take on their client's case load. When we moved, things dramatically went downhill. We immediately had a homestudy renewed from a local agency. We made a couple of inquiries since moving. We found out three months later that we had a few inquiries about us from caseworkers but Jaymie would not send our homestudy because the local agency hadn't given "consent" to use the homestudy. When Ken told us this, I immediately called the local agency and within TWO MINUTES had consent and official emails sent to Jaymie and Ken. We were told that she made five phone calls over the three months and could not get a hold of the agency so did not send out the homestudy. A simple phone call or email to us would have solved this problem, I live within five minutes of the local agency. (I would also like to add that I believe she is lying, we contacted the local company and they have a 24 hour phone service and none of the three people who answer the phones ever spoke to her. When they did, they were very upset and told us that we should steer clear of Hope for Families. They told us that the representative from Hope for Families said that they would not help out with any of the post placement footwork or expenses, as if this was completely the client's responsibility. They said this was a huge red flag.) Lastly, I want to say that one of our last conversations with the agency had us on the phone with Lynn, who had no idea who we were. The information she gave us was completely contrary to lengthy meetings we had in the conference room of their agency concerning our move. We were furious when we got off the phone. My husband called again to talk to Ken and we did not hear back from him for two weeks. They were completely unconcerned about our unhappiness or stress from the phone call. I have wrote this review in detail because I want the people who read to understand that I have very specific complaints, none of which have anything to do with the fact that we do not have a child nor do we think we were ever even considered. I was aware of the time frame, however, was unaware of the horrible costumer service and communication that would take place. I wish everyone the best in their search. I have set up an email for anyone who has experienced similar problems with this agency, bellaandivy@gmail.com. Please feel free to contact me through this email.

Let me start by saying that this post is in no way meant to disrespect or diminish anyone else's experience or opinions. We all experience and perceive things differently and are entitled to those opinions. I did want to make sure that my opinion was also out there, because these people have been really wonderful to my family. My husband and I have been at this adoption "thing" for over 5 years. I can't count the obstacles that have been pushed in our way since we started. We started the process twice with the state (even making it to week 5 of the MAPP class) before something else came up and put our plans on hold. About a year and a half ago, we were referred to a local private agent who we liked a lot. We paid out almost $2000 just to get started and get the homestudy completed. After we turned in our paperwork, she disappeared. Never to be heard from again. I know what you're thinking..SCAM! But remember, I was referred to her by trusted friends who knew her personally and adopted through her! We were devastated. Going through the state was an option we considered. But we would have to redo the Mapp classes (10 weeks) and then do the home study (at orientation we were told could take several months) and then wait to be matched. Through another friend, who knew an employee of Hope for Families, we met Dr. Ken and Lynn Brown. Within one week, we completed the MAPP class and they conducted the home study. Within the month, our home study was approved and completed. We signed up for the Interstate Adoption program. We understood, by reading the website and by Dr. Brown's descriptions, that this program required some leg work on our part. We would have to submit our home study and be proactive in our search. Meanwhile our agent, Jaymie, would also be sending us info on children available and submitting our home study. This suited me fine because I was already well practiced in searching for kids and we would have had to do the same thing working with the state. We all know that waiting for a match SUCKS! Some people are matched quickly, others wait for years. If you read any of the forums on just about any foster care adoption website, you will find people who have waited long periods of time. I had spent so much time over the last five years pouring over those sites, talking to people, and looking at pictures, that I was certain we would have to wait a while. Imagine my surprise when we were match only 3 months from the approval of our home study. Frankly, we were all shocked because we know it is not the norm. We are expecting two kids-a 13 yr old boy and a 7 yr old girl from California. Although we were matched quickly, the process in bringing them home has taken much more time. California does not file for TPR until after a match has been made and visitation has occurred. It also took four months after the TPR filing for the actual TPR date. THEN due to a technicality, the court did not TPR my daughter but did my son. So we had to wait two more months for my daughter's TPR!!!! Obviously, this was not the fault of anyone in our agency. Throughout this craziness, Jaymie has kept us informed of EVERYTHING going on in the process. I know this to be true because we also keep in close contact with our kids' social worker. Jaymie has never kept or sugar coated anything for us. When we were matched, she made sure to tell us every detail she knew about our children's past trauma. From what I understand, it is usually the social worker's job to disclose the info so many agents won't do it. That's okay with me, because it is the job of the social workers to make sure you know. But by telling us beforehand, Jaymie gave my husband and me time to think and pray about accepting the match before we had to speak to the social workers. In fact, the social workers were pretty surprised that we already knew and were willing to continue (our kids have never gone this far with a match before). Every time something comes up or something isn't clear, Jaymie is immediately on top of it. Nothing has fallen through the cracks with her. I have even called her when my nerves have gotten the best of me and asked for advice (she is the mother of several adopted children). In our experience with Hope for Families, we have had every question answered, every phone call answered or returned. We have had to call Dr. Brown, Lynn, Jaymie and Jan with what seem to be stupid questions and they have treated us with the utmost respect and professionalism. I certainly have never felt like I've been manipulated or harassed. I could not be happier with their services. They have truly been a blessing to our lives. Phillip and Katherine

My husband and I cannot say enough about this caring, Christian, wonderful adoption agency. They are thoroughly professional and have put us together with our new family! We met with Dr. Ken and his lovely wife Lynn for our Home Study. We were amazed at how quickly our completed Home Study was prepared and provided to us, as well as to whomever needed it, as we requested. We also completed our MAPP study through Kevin, who guided us through the information we needed to know about behavior, neurologic development, potential disorders and some heartbreaking statistics; in short, he was fantastic. When our time came to begin looking for our family, we had the privilege of working with Jaymie, our Adoption Specialist. This woman never sleeps! A passionate advocate for children, she is totally dedicated to her vocation. She has worked tirelessly, presenting us, providing potential matches for us, and giving us the support and guidance we needed to negotiate the foster care/adoption process. I do not think she sleeps! She has spoken with me at all hours, and emailed me similarly, throughout the day and night. She will text me, call me, and answer any questions we have had (and we've had a lot!) This agency is wonderful, and Jaymie has been our shining light to point us to our new sibling group. We cannot thank them enough! If you are considering this agency, you need not look any further! You are right where you need to be - there truly is Hope For Families here! Drmarilyn

There we were, my husband and I, standing inside the front entrance of the hunting and fishing store with sweaty palms and nervous smiles plastered to our faces. It was a cold mid-west morning and the misty sunrise glistened through the frosted glass. The beams of sunlight softened the hand carved wood mantle while a crackling fire was burning in the belly of the fireplace. Strangers traded polite smiles and nods while rocking in rocking chairs near the glowing hearth. The case workers greeted us inside the door and reassured us that they should be arriving at any moment. I could hear the case workers shuffling paperwork and talking to one another, maybe they were even talking to me, but it was just noise in the distance. The only sounds I could hear were the very real deliberations inside my head. Ok, donӒt cry. Whatever you do, dont cry.Ҕ I repeated it several times in hopes that it would work when I saw their faces. Is this really happening?Ӕ I asked myself. Or is this all a dream? Am I really about to meet my children for the first time?Ӕ Tears welled up in my eyes as I took a deep breath at attempts to regain my composure. I re applied the vanilla and brown sugar lotion I kept in my purse because I read in one of the many adoption books that it was a non threatening aroma. Oh no,Ӕ I thought What if they donӒt like the smell of vanilla or brown sugar, then they wont like me?! Is it too late to wipe it off?Ҕ Yes, it was too late; I heard the sound of the automatic doors opening and I and caught a glimpse of three small familiar faces walking towards us that very moment. The girls were more beautiful than the only picture I studied endlessly over the past several months. I wanted to bathe in that moment. Soak up every ounce of time down to the second and use it to wash the precious feet of our Savior with it. That moment was victorious. God set a burning desire for us to have children and after years of infertility and failed infant adoptions, we cried out to Him to take the desire far from our hearts. We felt that the disappointment was too much for us to handle. He never took the desire from our hearts, nor did He lessen it, in fact it grew stronger and more passionate. Ive never felt so venerable in all my life but God never left my side. I knew that His plan was better than ours but we put our trust in Him. Our minds could not fathom the concept that; not only were our children already born, but they were half way across the country praying for us. They were praying for a mommy and daddy like us to love them forever. Our girls were in foster care for over two years and prior to that the people whom they once knew as their parents let them down in the most devastating ways. Here we were, finally face to face. My husband and I were thanking God for the blessing that we once thought of as a curse. There was beauty in all of our pain, it made us a family. All five of our prayers were being fulfilled in that very moment. Hope for Families shared a very important role in this day with us, for they worked so very hard to make it happen. We cannot say enough good things about their Agency and Staff. We will always hold a place in our hearts for them not as a business, but as a part of our family.

We indeed adopted 2 girls from foster care from North Carolina. They were placed in our custody in early March and the adoption was final mid May. You absolutely have to have an adoption agency represent you if you intend to adopt (any type of adoption). Believe me, I tried for a year, contacted literally a hundred or so case workers and state agencies/photo galleries/heart galleries. Once the caseworker realizes that you do not have an agency representing you-they will not help you. Dr. Brown, Lynn, and the HFF staff were very helpful and professional-low key home study, non-stressful post-placement visits, and follow through were just fine. We recommend them. Rodger and Catherine

It is with great pleasure that I recommend Hope for Families to be accepted to support and help families trying to adopt children. My recommendation comes from first hand observation of Dr. Brown and his staff. Their company has helped my wife and I adopt two special needs children from Oregon. With their aid, we were able to go through the adoption process with great ease and lots of support. Dr. Brown and staff were there for us every step of the way. They helped us find the children we adopted, and organize our trip to Oregon to visit the children prior to the adoption. Dr. Brown and Lynn was only a phone call away anytime of the day to help answer any questions we had and if he did not have an answer, he would find it or get us in contact with someone that would. After the children were placed in our home, Hope for families would visit to check the childrens progress on a monthly basis. They would observe their health, education, and how the relationship between the children and their new parents were forming. They also checked on the quality of living and safety of the children. They inspected the childrenҒs rooms, the house and would give us tips on things that might help us improve Adans and DestinyҒs learning and coping skills. The staff was also there to counsel the children and aid them In any way he could. The children have a bond with him and listen to him. He has a great way with children. In short, Hope for Families has been there every step of the way. From helping my wife and I cope with the new responsibilities of being parents, to helping the children adjust to their new home In Florida. I could not have a higher amount of respect for any company or its staff. They have been great. Sincerely, Tracy

My wife and I worked with Hope for Families Adoption Services to conduct our Home Study and provide us with assistance through the Interstate Adoption Program. Dr. Brown and his very capable staff assisted us each and every step of what would have otherwise been a prohibitively long and circumvent process through the various bureaucracies of two different states in order to finalize the adoption of our two sons. Throughout the long and sometimes arduous process, the staff of Hope for Families was always there to assist in whatever way was needed, helping us to fill out paperwork, make telephone calls to various state agencies, research benefits, etc. With the near daily assistance of Hope for Families, we were able to successfully adopt two boys from out of state and fulfill what would have been a likely impossible dream to accomplish without their knowledge and encouragement.

A reminder that all discussions about agencies need to be done by PM.

My name is Nichole. I met Dr. Ken and Lynn Brown when I was pregnant over 6 years ago and did not know what to do. I thought about abortion but just could not do that as I love children. Ken and Lynn talked with me and showed me love and understanding. They explained about adoption, their Hope for Families adoption agency and told me that they knew a lot of good people out there that wanted to be parents and have a baby but could not get pregnant so they wanted to adopt a baby. They showed me profiles so I could pick the family to adopt my baby and then they phoned them so we could talk and then we all got together to have lunch and get to know them. I liked the adoptive family that I choose and trusted them to take care of my child. It was not easy to give my baby to them after I gave birth but I was not able to do provide for her needs so I knew it was the right thing to do. I learned through all of this that God let me bring a child into the world not to kill her, but to make a family happy because they could not have kids without my help. The family sends me pictures of my child and I know the family is taking good care of her so I made the right choice even though it was very difficult because I love my child.Ken and Lynn treated me as family and took me in and we have become true friends to this day. They are the most beautiful people I have ever met in my whole life. They have taught me a lot and when I say a lot I mean a lot. They love God and they love people and it doesn’t matter who you are…they will take you in and they do not judge you. There is so much for me to say but it would take a whole year…they have the most beautiful heart and soul. If I have a choice to follow somebody’s footsteps I would choose Dr. Brown and Lynn. May God be with them forever…I love them so much.

We have been on a long road to starting our family. After many attempts with no success we looked into adoption. We came across Hope For Families while searching online. After meeting with Ken and Lynn we were very pleased with their knowledge of the field and with the level of comfort they made us feel about moving forward. Within a short period of time we were blessed with a beautiful baby. Hope for Families are very competitive with their cost which helped us move so quickly to have such a beautiful baby. Between being in constant contact with her, taking her to doctors appointments, and actually going shopping with her to the store for clothing, Hope for Families worked very hard to take care of our birthmother. The staff at the hospital are very familiar with Hope For Families. We cant explain how happy and grateful we are that Hope For Families have given us our dream come true. Thank you Lynn, Ken, the entire staff and everyone that played a part in such a wonderful outcome.