At times, the adoption process may seem overwhelming. While you will definitely need an experienced adoption attorney to finalize your adoption, at the beginning of the adoption journey you may decide to hire someone additional to assist you to commence the process. That’s where other adoption professions such as facilitators, agencies, and consultants may come into the picture. So, what is the difference between a facilitator, adoption agency and consultant? Are they allowed in the state of Georgia, and do you need them during the adoption process? Well, keep reading to learn the answer to these questions.
Facilitators
Typically, a facilitator’s primary job is to “match” prospective adoptive parents and birth parents. Facilitators are generally unlicensed, unregulated, and do not provide counseling or legal services. Once you have been matched with a birth mother and the facilitator has been paid, the facilitator’s role is complete.
Facilitators are NOT allowed in Georgia, and in fact are illegal. In Georgia, the Georgia Adoption Code expressly prohibits facilitators from advertising about adoptions or prospective adoptions. A Georgia prospective adoptive parent may not use a facilitator to assist in the adoption process. A violation of this section of the Georgia law results in a felony charge. Upon conviction, the violator is subject to a maximum fine of $10,000, imprisonment for one to ten years, or both.
To emphasize, prospective parents in Georgia must never use a facilitator in their adoption process.
Adoption Agencies
Adoption agencies, in contrast, are licensed and regulated by the state. Adoption agencies are helpful with matching birth parents with prospective adoptive parents. It is permitted in Georgia to work with a licensed adoption agency. To work with an adoption agency, prospective adoptive parents must meet minimum requirements set by the state and agency. Additionally, the agency has various resources for the birth parents and prospective parents. For birth parents, services may include counseling, legal assistance, assistance with mediation on terms of future contact, and help with drafting adoptions plans. For prospective adoptive parents, services may include advertising and matching with birth parents and financial resources.
Depending on your adoption needs and timeline, if you would like to work with an agency, you may choose between a national adoption agency or a local adoption agency. It is always best to research the adoption agency to discern whether it is reputable and to determine which agency is a good fit for your family.
Consultants
Similar to facilitators, there is no oversight or regulation of consultants. However, consultants perform more services than the typical facilitator. Consultants may be an organization or an individual, and they will make recommendations about the adoption process. They may provide recommendations for adoption agencies, profile design assistance, home study provider recommendations, or provide resources for grants, loans or fundraising ideas to assist with offsetting the adoption costs. Additionally, consultants usually do not and should not have contact with the birth mother and are not a placing agency or facilitator. Consultants usually focus on educating and helping to navigate the adoption process for the adoptive parents. While consultants will provide more assistance than facilitators, they do not offer the same comprehensive services as an adoption agency, and they do not have the ability to help with the legal matters. Consultants may be helpful if you are looking for extra assistance with getting started with the journey, but they are not necessary or required in the adoption process.
Which One Should I Hire, If Any?
Ultimately, the decision whether to hire a consultant or work with an adoption agency is a personal choice. Hiring a facilitator in Georgia, as already mentioned, is never an option. While you may or may not hire a consultant or adoption agency, it is necessary that you hire an experienced adoption attorney to assist you with the adoption process. It is best to secure your legal counsel at the beginning of your adoption process to make your adoption journey less overwhelming. While this article provides a general overview of the different types of assistance available, it is important to understand your particular needs and how assistance may or may not fit into your adoption journey. To ensure your questions and concerns are fully answered, please contact Christina E. Campbell of The Campbell Law Practice, LLC to discuss your adoption needs.
Are Facilitators, Consultants or Adoption Agencies Necessary in the Adoption Process?