best adoption agency to use in dc for international, specifically Korea, adoption?

[Anonymous]

Starting the process. Saw the previous post from earlier this week but only one responder. Would be really grateful if anybody had a recent story to share. I know guidelines are changing for adoption in Korea and I'd be thrilled with any feedback. Especially who they used and if it was a good experience. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Slim pickings in DC. Maybe try Maryland? There are a few reputable agencies there.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who used Catholic Charities to adopt from Korea several years ago.

I would also look into Dillon -- not local, but has been doing Korean adoptions for 40+ years. You should also know they have a Christian focus.

[Anonymous]

We are with Barker Foundation for Korea adoption. This is not our first time with Barker Foundation.
You should get a estimate for how long that wait will be before you apply.
For us, it took at least 6 months for our file to send to Korea. Then, the wait begins....
We were told 20 months. However, we already pass our 20 months wait and still waiting
Good luck.

[Anonymous]

thanks so much for replying! I already spoke with Dillon and we can't use them because another agency associated with their Korean partner places in DC. Which was a bummer because I've only heard good things about Dillon. Dillon recommended Catholic Services, Barker or Children's Home Society out of Missouri (they are the agency that's allowed to place in DC). Anybody know anything about Children's Home Society? Their fees seem much higher than what I've seen previously. (about 10K higher)

For the person that is with Barker, would you say you're dissatisfied? I have not read anything positive about Barker so far. I've also seen good things about Adoptions Together in this area (in another thread).

[Anonymous]

thanks so much for replying! I already spoke with Dillon and we can't use them because another agency associated with their Korean partner places in DC. Which was a bummer because I've only heard good things about Dillon. Dillon recommended Catholic Services, Barker or Children's Home Society out of Missouri (they are the agency that's allowed to place in DC). Anybody know anything about Children's Home Society? Their fees seem much higher than what I've seen previously. (about 10K higher)

For the person that is with Barker, would you say you're dissatisfied? I have not read anything positive about Barker so far. I've also seen good things about Adoptions Together in this area (in another thread).

[Anonymous]

I have used both Children's Home (but they are out of Minnesota, with an office in Silver Spring) and Barker. You will wait forever with both of them. Barker, you are looking at almost 2 years for a referral, and then 6 months to travel. CHSFS, you will get a referral quicker - maybe within a year, but then have to wait 12-18 months to travel, so either way, the wait is long. Each agency has their strengths and weaknesses. The wait is long, but so worth it in the end - I have two of the most wonderful children!

[Anonymous]

My understanding of Korea adoption is that is is not a linear process. It is not like China and the Korean gov't matches families. We have friends who got their dossier in later than many other families, but they got a child quicker than expected. It might be because the Korean gov't didn't want too much of an age difference between the kid they had the the kid they wanted to adopt.

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I am the poster "03/21/2013 08:30". We are HAPPY with Barker. Even we are waiting pass our 20 months for our second Korea adoption.
Our understand is that it is not up to Barker to match us with a child. It is up to Korea agency = SWS to match
We do NOT blame Barker for the delay.
Barker staffs have done everything that Barker staffs can do for us like make sure our papers are in order and renew papers.
We met with Sue Hollar when we applied for our second time and it was more than 2 years ago.
We have not met with their new Korea International Program Manager = Stephanie Sicard yet.

[Anonymous]

Do any of you that are doing the Korean adoption have Korean heritage? Does it make a difference at all in time to place a child? My husband is Korean which is why I'm looking there. Would love to have a kid that looks like him. I haven't looked at China adoptions although maybe I should. Any thoughts? Two years is a long time. Is that normal for all adoptions or just international?

[Anonymous]

I did Dillon's Korean heritage program as a Korean adoptee. Am on my way out but will respond more later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do any of you that are doing the Korean adoption have Korean heritage? Does it make a difference at all in time to place a child? My husband is Korean which is why I'm looking there. Would love to have a kid that looks like him. I haven't looked at China adoptions although maybe I should. Any thoughts? Two years is a long time. Is that normal for all adoptions or just international?

I don't believe there is a difference in time, but laws or "Korean law" changes. Point of difference with heritage would probably be if one of you were past the weight slightly or a year over the age requirement. We used Children's home society, did not have a good experience.

[Anonymous]

We have adopted twice from Korea through Barker and couldn't be happier. Timing is not controlled by Barker (or any other US agency), but by process in Korea. The Korean govt is trying to encourage domestic adoption so it's taking longer for a baby to be cleared for international placement, hence the longer wait times. If you're open to China, you should also learn more about Barkers china waiting child program. The children are designated by china as special needs but those needs may be something very mild and fixable in the US. You can specify exactly which needs you might be open to. Last summer, the wait times for the program were pretty short. My advice is to meet with people at barker and any other agency you are considering and see which one feels right to you. This is a process that can have some bumps and it helps to feel comfortable/confident in the staff you're working with.

[Anonymous]

"We used Children's home society, did not have a good experience."

Hi..original poster again..would you care to clarify why Children's Home Society was bad? Still evaluating.

Thank you 11:43..I will look into Barker regardless and the program in China.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"We used Children's home society, did not have a good experience."

Hi..original poster again..would you care to clarify why Children's Home Society was bad? Still evaluating.

Thank you 11:43..I will look into Barker regardless and the program in China.

Children's wasn't honest nor cooperative with our process, we faced major hurdles, they did not want to stand behind us. We had to get an outside advocate. They have a new CEO, perhaps things are better there.