Adoption Agency Ratings

As a birthmom who placed through this agency, I can't say a single good thing about them. The only time they returned phone calls was before I delivered and when I was in the hospital delivering up until papers were signed. After that? AHAHAHAHA. I was only 16 at the time that I began working with them, and having a daughter born prematurely and hospitalized, I was threatened by the agency with CPS when I wouldn't sign papers immediatley. When I refused, the agency indeed called CPS telling them that I was living in my state with an uncle verses a parent... Though the doctors told me my daughter had a slim chance of surviving, I was being threatened by both the agency and CPS at the same time, so felt I had NO choice but to sign papers. The adoptive parents have NEVER followed through with their post-placement contact agreements. It's a battle to get pictures/updates from them, and generally the pictures are out of focus and out dated. The agency refuses to do anything about it other than say "OH they must be busy"... When I wanted to place again, I didn't know I could use other agencies, and tried contacting them again. I was given the complete run around, and ended up using another agency... My first childs adoptive parents found out and temporarily closed the adoption because I hadn't placed with them. The agency provided absolutely NO post-placement counseling, and everything I told them I was going through, I was basically told to get over it and move on... I wouldn't recommend this agency to ANY birthmom who is considering placing, and adoptive parents, if you have ANY respect for your birthmoms, you wouldn't use an agency that treated them like a number and a money sign as this agency does!

I applied to Adopt International San Francisco in early 2007 for a Guatemelan adoption. The social worker who did my homestudy was very experienced and had lots of good feedback.

The adoption is still in process.

The coordinator is a very nice and caring person, and has provided with accurate information about the progress of my adoption.

The only negative feedback I has is that the coordinator makes committments of getting back to me in a certain timeframe, but never responds in the time frame promised. I would rather the cooridnator acknowledge my request, and then get back to me when she has the information.

If you hope to have your case handled with reliable and responsive communication and care, I would not recommend this agency. They promise more than they can deliver. My frustration and annoyance prompted me to run an internet search to see whether any one else has had problems. I was sorry to see that others have found their service unsatisfactory and disturbing. I only wish I had known this before.

I couldn't get the Assistant Director, Lisa Clark, to return calls, emails, and faxes. We were on the verge of submitting a complaint with Better Business Bureau and decided to instead right the director, Lynne Jacobs a lengthy letter discussing our dissatisfaction with the agency and it still took her 5 business days to respond. It taking us 5 ongoing months to get an endorsed home study completed and corrected.

Candace O'Brien and her staff are top notch. Our adoption was expedient and professionally managed. Candace skillfully guided each step and we got our beautiful daughter without a "hitch" at 7 months of age.
Besides having talent and experience with foreign adoptions, Candace herself is warm and supportive. We have nothing negative in our experience with this agency, only gratitude that we found Candace and Adopt International.

Candace O'Brien and the people she works with are superb. Caring and involved without being overbearing. Ethically very sound - for example supported us through a bad period of rumor and speculation regard the possible closure of ICA from Guatemala (to the UK) even though we had yet to sign a contract or pay even the registration fee.

I guess what sums it up is that we now regard Candace as a friend, and hope she will be one for a very, very, very long time.

Great lady and a great service.

Our first experience in international adoption with another agency in Maine was disastrous. Candace O'Brian and Adopt International of Florida were recommended to us and I can't say enough about how wonderful the experience was! Candace listened to the nightmare we'd been through with the other agency and she made sure nothing went wrong this time. The lawyers she uses really are the best in Guatemala! Even our baby's doctor in Guatemala City said he was impressed with the loving attention of the foster mothers Candace's agency uses. We were anxious and fearful after our first attempt, but Candace handled everything with the utmost professionalism and friendliness too. When I was unexpectedly in the Miami Beach area on business, she made time to spend several hours with me on extremely short notice. Just one of the many, many personal touches we are so thankful for. I lived in Guatemala City for almost 2 months with my daughter (by choice) and I saw some real nightmare stories with one of the larger agencies which my husband and I had thought about using. I thank heaven we went with Adopt International. Our experience was all positive.