I am honestly dumbfounded by the negative reviews of this agency. The director helped me with much needed advice free of charge in order for my family to complete our first adoption which was done independently and was not easy. When the time came to complete the homestudy, the social worker was realistic, knowledgable, and efficient. We also used the agency's domestic waiting child program and were thrilled at the professionalism and preparation and support we received throughout the process which was rife with red-tape and potential pitfalls not connected to our agency. The staff was realistic about the ups and downs we would face and went "above and beyond" for my child and my family, advocating for us and our children at every turn, even when we were impatient or irritated with the process.
It is great that some have had some good experiences with HATW. I have no doubt they have helped complete a number of adoptions in a satisfactory way. However, those who are considering using HATW need to keep in mind that many others experienced horrible treatment from the director when their case ran into problems. And in my case, the problems faced were because of the facilitator HATW was using in the foreign country from which I was adopting. It is amazing to me how a social work "professional" (the director) could be so rude, demeaning, and unsupportive to the clients she is supposed to be assisting. It's great the director was helpful in your case, but keep in mind in many others not only was she not helpful, but she was as unprofessional as could be.
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Hands Across the Water was great!
I am honestly dumbfounded by the negative reviews of this agency. The director helped me with much needed advice free of charge in order for my family to complete our first adoption which was done independently and was not easy. When the time came to complete the homestudy, the social worker was realistic, knowledgable, and efficient. We also used the agency's domestic waiting child program and were thrilled at the professionalism and preparation and support we received throughout the process which was rife with red-tape and potential pitfalls not connected to our agency. The staff was realistic about the ups and downs we would face and went "above and beyond" for my child and my family, advocating for us and our children at every turn, even when we were impatient or irritated with the process.
HATW may have been great for you, but ask others
It is great that some have had some good experiences with HATW. I have no doubt they have helped complete a number of adoptions in a satisfactory way. However, those who are considering using HATW need to keep in mind that many others experienced horrible treatment from the director when their case ran into problems. And in my case, the problems faced were because of the facilitator HATW was using in the foreign country from which I was adopting. It is amazing to me how a social work "professional" (the director) could be so rude, demeaning, and unsupportive to the clients she is supposed to be assisting. It's great the director was helpful in your case, but keep in mind in many others not only was she not helpful, but she was as unprofessional as could be.