Opportunity for African American Placements

Our birth mother program is compromised of women from all over the United States of varying ethnic and racial backgrounds. In our program approximately half of our birth mothers are living in our Utah program and half across the country.

Of late a certain segment of our placements are stretching the limits of our capacity. This segment is the African American placement and we are finding that each adoption case is becoming what we term as an "Outreach" probably 75% of the time.

"Outreach" is defined by our agency as any situation where by we must look outside of our active and pending adoptive family pool for a suitable placement option. In the summer of "09" I have personally worked on 10 different outreach cases for our African American birth mother pool.

These cases are limiting to many adoptive families because they are for the most part a fixed fee and can incorporate out of state legal fees and medical fees on top of our agency fee. Fees can range anywhere from approx $22,000 to $30,000 depending on the case. For that reason "outreach is not for every family.

Because of that our African American birth mothers are receiving one to four profiles before making a decision. So for families interested in these opportunities there is a high chance of not only being considered by birth mothers but also of being selected. I have had five families that have contacted me this summer and early fall matched with a birth mother in most cases within 96 hours.

For those who can consider these birth mothers it is a great option. If you'd like to learn more about our outreach program contact Dave Williams @ 801-473-9350

Obstacles

Along the adoption journey there are enough obstacles along the path from infertility, fertility treatments, surgery, pills, and so on that once you get to the place where adoption is your next step the last thing you need is another hill to climb.

Adoption is a task for anyone first trying to educate themselves to the process. Once you navigate your way through the complex web of adoption agencies, attorneys, facilatators your still not done. But you have come a long way and have done your due diliegence and have decided on which course you want to proceed. Now what is the next obstacle? Adoption fees.

Adoption fees run a wide range of costs depending on many, many different factors. We won't get into that today. But we will talk about what to do about it. I have adopted twice and both placements were completety unrelated in fees, and service. It required me do things with my assests that otherwise would have precluded me from adopting. If you want something bad enough you will do whatever is necessary within reason of course.

So what if your assests are limited? What are some of your options? i put together a list from the internet that might be of help. I do not recomend any, or endorse any of the options. Some are grants, some loans and some just ideas on how to do it yourself. I am very aware that their many families looking, waiting, hoping to adopt and money is the reason for their delay.

I hope this information will be a benefit to families everywhere looking for some financial assistance. Remember the journey is for a reason. "The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” Don Williams Jr.

Options for Financing Your Adoption


• Corporate Matching Gifts (Check with your employer’s human resources division. Also check www.adopting.org/employer.html, www.adoptionbenefits.com or www.abanet.org/family/advocate/sp97tax.html.) (Target, Wendy’s, Hewitt, and Hallmark all have adoption assistance benefit programs).

• Call The National Adoption Center at (800) TO-ADOPT for information on corporate employee adoption benefit plans.


• Fundraising. Many churches and civic organization will support and assist in fundraising efforts for adoptions.


• Federal Tax Credit of $10,000
o The federal government provides a tax credit of just over $10,000 per child to help with adoption expenses. The details are available in I.R.S. Tax Publication 968 and available online at www.irs.ustreas.gov in downloadable form.


• State Tax Credits
o Several states offer tax credits to aid in adoption expenses as well as other grants and subsidy programs. To learn if you qualify, contact your state tax office or link to state website at www.state.yourstate.us, with “your state” being the standard two letter state designation.
• Grants and Loans
o The National Adoption Foundation offers low interest loans and grants to offset the costs of adoption. www.nafadopt.org.
o The Hebrew Free Loan Association offers interest free loans and grants to assist with adoption expenses for needy families. www.hflasf.org/adopt-loans.html
o The Gift of Adoption Fund offers low interest loans and grants to assist with adoption expenses for needy families. www.giftofadoption.org
o Adopt Share is a Christian Ministry offering assistance with expenses involved in adoption. www.adoptshare.org
o Bright Futures Foundation offers small grants to adopting families. www.homestead.com/brightfutures
o Acres of Hope offers financial assistance and loan programs for the adoption of physically and emotionally challenged children. For information, call (715) 765-4118.
o Christian Adoption Resources (717) 492-1868
o God’s Grace Adoption Ministry offers grants and loans to adopting families. Call (209) 572-4539 for more information
o Grants for Adoption is a private foundation awaiting non-profit approval status to provide grants for adoption. Please email them at info@GRANTSFORADOPTION.COM
o Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries offers fundraising and grant assistance. (509) 465-3520
o Love Knows No Borders will provide information on financial assistance if you send a SASE (two stamps) to 500 B Monroe Turnpike, P.O. Box 350, Monroe, CT 06468.
o Promise the Children provides grates to adopting families working with approved facilitators. ptcstaff@swbell.net
o Sibling Adoption Grants provides up to $4000 for two the adoption of two children. info@siblingadoption.com
o Americans Adopting Orphans provides low interest loans and grants to qualifying families. Call (206) 52-4-KIDS (5437).
o The Boatner Family Foundation provides grants up to $10,000. Write to: P.O. Box 132272, The Woodlands, Texas 77393-2272
o Adoption Financing.com provides a no obligation expedited loan process.
o Adoption Funding-Adoption Network Law Center offers credit based loans (800) 367-2367.
o MBNA offers unsecured loans to qualifying families to assist with adoption related expenses. For more information, call 888-627-8767. MBNA also provides a credit card that contributes to each the National Adoption Foundation with each purchase. (800) 932-2775
o Fifth Third, First Union, and US Bank also provide for adoption loans. Please contact your local branch.
o Building Families Adoption Loan Program is a loan program through Old National Bank for families in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
o Child Adoption Funds #225 9393 N. 90th St., Suite #102, Scottsdale, AZ 85252
o A Child Waits provides low interest loans to qualified parents. (866) 999-2445.
o United Way International provides assistance for the cost of travel for children in need of immediate medical attention. (703) 519-0092.
o The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption provides numerous resources for adoption assistance. View their website at www.davethomasfoundationforadoption.org
o Many banks will give second mortgages on home equity. The funds can be used for adoption and interest is tax deductible.
o Check into your IRA, 401K, or retirement plans for information about borrowing against those funds.
o Steven Curtis Chapman runs a foundation called Shoahannah’s Hope that provides grants to adopting families. Shaohannahshope.org
• Dependency Deductions
o After adopting, don’t forget that you will be able to deduct your child as a dependent, saving tax money.
• Military, Nonrecurring Program
o Full-time military personnel are eligible for a one-time subsidy of up to $2000 per child. www.calib.com/naic/pubs/f_militia.htm
• Tax Questions
o Tax Accountant Len Titone has adopted 6 children and is a tax consultant. He can be contacted at 21 E. Cedar Street, Zionsville, Indiana 46077. (317) 414-9332.

“How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option” is a free comprehensive booklet published by the National Endowment for Financial Education. Order at www.nefe.org or call (719) 948-4000 and ask for Item #602-E.

The Domino Foundation SLC Utah - http://dominofoundation.com/index-3.html
Cost of Adoption
• What Adoption Really Costs
The results of AF's 2007/2008 cost survey.
• Adoption Costs
Sample budget worksheets, by country.

Resources and Funding Strategies
• Special Report: Affording Adoption
AF looks at how families do it.
• Where to Go for Help
Make use of the credits, benefits, subsidies, and other resources available to you.
• Adoption Grants and Loans
Several organizations offer adoption-specific grants and loans.
• Tips from the Trenches
AF readers share their strategies.

Tax Credit and Employer Assistance
• The Federal Adoption Tax Credit Explained
AF answers readers' questions about the tax credit.
As reported in AF Mar-Apr 2009 issue: Adoption tax credit rises to $11,650.
• How to Lobby Your Employer for Adoption Benefits
Here's a road map, including a sample letter, to persuade your employer to add adoption benefits.
• Top Adoption-Friendly Companies
Let's hear it for companies that get the message: Adoption benefits are vital in today's workplace

I CARE FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 19020
Baltimore, Maryland 21284
800-513-9896
info@intlcare.org
I CARE was created to help families meet adoption costs and to expand the opportunity for children to join loving families in the United States. I CARE accomplishes its goals by streamlining the process and helping to make adoption more affordable. They encourage exhausting all other available sources of funding first such as employer adoption assistance programs, tax credits, vacation savings accounts and making your desire to adopt known to your church family and your family and friends
GIFT OF ADOPTION FUND
www.giftofadoption.org
101 East Pier Street, 1st Floor
Port Washington, WI 53074
1-877-905-2367
info@giftofadoption.org

Gift of Adoption provides grants usually between $2,000 - $5,000. Applicants must have an approved home study before applying for a grant. You can apply online at https://www.giftofadoption.org/Grant.asp using a credit/debit card to pay the $20 application fee (e-mail Gift of Adoption for to apply for a grant without a credit/debit card). Grants are awarded based upon financial need and/or extraordinary hardship on the part of the adoptive parents or the child.
NATIONAL ADOPTION FOUNDATION
www.nafadopt.org
100 Mill Plain Road
Danbury, CT 06811
203-791-3811
Families can apply for outright grants from this organization. The grant program is open to all kinds of adoptions. There is no income requirement for applicants. Grants range from $500 to $4,000 and are available to prospective adoptive parents 4 times a year. Although there is no income requirement to apply, the NAF is inundated with grant requests so funds will be awarded to the neediest families first, depending on the funds available at the time of the application. More information can be found at http://.nafadopt.org/fund-your-adoption/fund-your-adoption.shtml

A great website for adoption Grants
http://www.dreamadoption.org/index.php/finances_panick_relief/adoption_grants
Adoption Grant Opportunities


A Child Waits Foundation
1136 Barker Road; Pittsfield, MA 01201
866-999-2445
www.achildwaits.org cnelson@achildwaits.org
This is a nonprofit charitable foundation providing grants and loans to prospective parents that lack savings to pay for the cost of adoption. Eligibility is based on financial need. Each case is judged individually.

Caroline’s Promise
1950 Beeson Road; Kernersville, NC 27284
336-993-9046
www.carolinespromise4u.org/assistance info@carolinespromise4u.org
Provides $3,000 grants to Christian Couples living in North Carolina

China Care Foundation
P. O. Box 607; Westport, CT 06881
203-227-3655
www.chinacare.org info@chinacare.org
They provide grants and/or low-interest loans to families who qualify by adopting special needs or older children. Typically $1,000 to $3,000.

Gift of Adoption Fund
101 East Pier Street, 1st Floor; Port Washington, WI 53074
262-268-1386 or 877-905-2367
www.giftofadoption.org info@giftofadoption.org
Provides grants regardless of marital status, race, creed, or national origin. The amounts vary between $2,000 and $5,000.

God's Grace Adoption Ministry
P. O. Box 4; Modesto, CA 95353
209-572-4539
www.ggam.org info@ggam.org
Provides grants to two parent Christian families ranging from $1,000 to $4,000.

Hadassah's Hope
20472 Crescent Bay, Suite 100, Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-600-5252
www.hadassahshope.org customerservice@hadassahshope.org
Striving to help families with the financial burdens of adopting internationally.

Hebrew Free Loan
131 Stewart Street, Suite 425, San Francisco, CA 94105
415-546-9902
www.hflasf.org info@hflasf.org
Provide interest free loans up to $10,000 for adopting families in Northern California

I CARE Foundation
P. O. Box 19020, Baltimore, MD 21284
800-513-9896
www.intlcare.org info@intlcare.org
Provides grants for international adoptions

International Adoption Resources
1080 Boranda Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94040
650-969-1819
www.theiar.org
International adoption grants ranging from $500 to $1,500 as funds are available.

Lifesong for Orphans
P. O. Box 40; 202 North Ford Street, Gridley, IL 61744
309-747-3556
www.lifesongfororphans.org info@lifesongfororphans.org
Christian organization provides matching grants and interest free 'covenant' loans to adopting families

National Council for Adoption
www.adoptioncouncil.org
Has established an adoption loan program with Bank of America
888-628-7700 priority code LODK

North American Council on Adoptable Children
800-470-6665 or 651-644-3036
www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy adoption.assistance@nacac.org
Provides adoption financial assistance information by state

Northwest Airlines Special Delivery
www.nwa.com/features/adopt.shtml
They Provide significant fare discounts for international adoptions.

Promise the Children
11939 Manchester Road, Suite 136, St.Louis, MO 63131
www.promisethechildren.org ptcstaff@swbell.net
Grant recipients are chosen without regard to age of adoptive parents, current family size, race or religion, or marital status. Adoption agency must be an approved agency.

Sea of Faces Foundation
6920-B Bradlick Shopping Center #200, Annandale, VA 22003
www.seaoffaces.org director@seaoffaces.org
Grants of $1,000 to $3,000 for professing
Christian families adopting from a developing country


Shaohanna's Hope
P. O. Box 647, Franklin, TN 37065
615-550-5600
www.shaohannahshope.org
They provide grant assistance to Christian families up to $7,000. Single parent adoptions are acceptable.

The ABBA Fund
P. O. Box 7880; Charlotte, NC 28271-7042
888-775-3422
www.abbafund.org
The ABBA Fund assists Christian couples who are committed to train and educate their children in accordance with Biblical Principles. They will grant interest free 'covenant' loans which do not require collateral or a promissory note.

HelpUsAdopt.org
http://www.helpusadopt.org/faqs.html
info@helpusadopt.org

Fee-Nominal Idea! (Updated)

Too help clarify our outreach fee program for our current families we have updated this post as of Oct 27, 2009.
In an effort to help prospective families expose their family profile to a larger circle of Arfican american and biracial birth mothers the Adoption Center of Choice is offering a new outreach program. In the past our agency required a registration fee, upfront, with additional fees due at the 45 day mark, at matching before a outreach placement could be made.

Now we are offering families access to our entire pool of outreach birth mothers. No fees will be required to have your famiy profile presented on a regular basis to our outreach birth mothers. Once you are matched with a birth mother and she is placing with your family will any fees be due.

For African American outreach if there is any reason for an interruption in the placement your family will be put back into our birth mother pool and we will again start advocating for you again. For Biracial outreach you can have the same service provided or a refund within 90 days.

There is no loss of funds what so ever. 100% protected guaranteed. We have put the financial burden squarely on our shoulders and lifted it from yours. Is there a catch? No catch, no registration fee is required.

For more information call Dave Williams at 801-473-9350

Bottom of My Heart

Last week I got a voicemail at home from my Cardiologist. It went something like this. 'We have found something near the bottom of dave's heart we don't like, I need him to call into the office and schedule a procedure as soon as possible." I go in tommorrow morning to find out what it is.

Now two weeks ago, I went into see him because I had been experiencing some discomfort in my chest. No pain really just pressure and an overall strange feeling. I had some test done and from what I could gather from their responses something was up. Boy am I glad I listened to my body.

In life so many things seem to originate from the bottom of our hearts. Love, compassion, empathy, kindness, tenderness, faith and friendship are just a few that come to mind. In my work I find that these are attributes that are dearly needed and neccessary when speaking to prospective adoptive families. I should know, my wife and I have been on that side of the fence twice before.

It is also in my opinion a vital character trait needed by any family wanting to adopt. In order to fully appreciate the complexities of the adoptive process couples should have a tender heart for those women that make such an important decision for their unborn baby and for themselves as well. Once you have been through it your heart is changed forever. I have felt your compassion many times over for the birth mothers in our program.

It is a rightious desire for any married couple to want to raise a family of their own. It is in most cases the secret desire of their hearts eminating I am sure from the very bottom. Adoptive families learn very quckly that it is the heart to heart connection between themselves and their new son or daughter that will define the relationship they will share through out their lives. There is no genetic connection, no direct physical connection that binds them. Yet they are bound just the same.

So as I was pondering what could be wrong with the bottom of my heart and It came to me, that's the section in my heart that has been used more than any other throughout my life, the very bottom. Thank you for helping me wear it out it on behalf of you and the women I serve. It is a blessing in my life.

Dave Williams
Adoptive Family Specialist
The Adoption Center of Choice
Davewilliams@theadoptioncenter.com
801-473-9350

Matches, Matches, Matches!

My mom always told me not to play with matches when I was a little boy. I took her advice back then because she knew better and I didn't want to start a fire in the house.

If only my mom coud see me now. I am a big fan of matches. This weekend we as an agency had five families and birth mothers matched for adoption. If you ask me there is a fire going on in our house and we couldn't be happier.

Our birth mother program is continuing to grow at a very steady rate and our families are reaping the rewards of the growth. With over 60 active birth mothers on any given day and up to 15 new calls a day our birth mother intake team is working very hard to keep up with the demand.

If you are a prospective family that would lke to know more about our program please give Dave Williams a call at 801-473-9350 and he will glad to discuss your options with you.

Urgent Outreach Still Looking for a Family

Our agency is still hoping to find a Utah based home study prepared family to be considered for our little guy in Louisiana. If you would like to be shown to our birth mother please contact Dave Williams at 801-473-9350.

This situation is very clean and a perfect situation for the right family. The birth father is a colloge football player and the birth mother is very healthy and active. She is described as very beautiful with a great personality.

The birth father is aware and will consent to the adoption. She is due in late October. Please see our post below

Thank you,

Dave Williams
Adoptive Family Specialist
davewilliams@theadoptioncenter.com
801-473-9350

We have a new African American Oureach Opportunity

We have a birth mother who placed with us a year ago. She came to Utah but has decided that she wants to go back to Louisiana (and will be leaving on Tuesday Sept 29th 2009 ). We need profiles to show to her before she leaves. We MUST have a Utah family to place with her baby.


Current information:
African American Boy
Due Date: 10.26.09
birth father is aware of the pregnancy and will consent to the adoption
She will probably have a c-section
Birth mother is athletic no medical or mental issues (Grandmother had diabetes)
no drugs, no alcohol, no tobacco
Birth father is tall, athletic - plays college football no drugs, no alcohol, no tobacco
no medical or mental issues
Birth mother has medicaid - no medical fees
This is an urgent request

Placement Fee 17,575
Out of state legal fees $6000-$8000
Post Placement $2500

Contact Dave Williams 801-473-9350 for more information