We are in the midst of our 2nd adoption, first with CWA. The difference between the two agencies is amazing and CWA is the best.
First, the planner they give adoptive families is an incredible resource. I have only had one or two small questions that I could not find answers to in this resource.
Second, the weekly communication from your case manager deals with what is happening in the world of adoptions that week -- for example, they deal directly with "rumors" that are flying around, doing their best to address them with facts. Our other agency also sent out a weekly update, but you could tell they were sent out by a formula (for example, in week of 40 our wait, we received information about our "upcoming referral" -- even though we were no where near referral at that point in time, obviously week 40 made sense in prior years for referral information).
Third, email or phone questions are answered promptly --- in many cases in minutes!
I have been so impressed with CWA. I would recommend them to everyone who is considering adoption. I have yet to travel, but I understand that their travel guides are the best out there.
Oh, and there is a wonderful client forum board that is the most encouraging and supportive group of people I've met. Excellent agency, highly recommended!
I was the original poster of this comment and wanted to update my experience now that we have our daughter home.
As I said, we were happy with the communication with the agency, and everything went quite smoothly regarding the adoption process.
However, we were frustrated when CWA changed our contract TWICE during the course of the adoption: once to raise fees for travel (it would have been understandable had they raised them across the board for all potential travelers, but they didn't -- they raised fees for the adoptive parents by $125 each, for singles, they raised fees by $350 and for children aged 0-4 years, they raised fees by a whopping $600. Apparently they REALLY don't want APs to take young children along on the trip). The second change to our contract had to do with a confidentiality clause which, though they amended it to reflect the anger of their clients, still is WAY too harsh: APs may not, under violation of contract, show their referral information to ANYONE other than to medical specialist or pediatrician and to their social worker -- and then only if they are asking for a professional opinion on accepting that child's referral. NO showing it to future siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, close friends, etc. (you know, your support group) and absolutely not in blogs or public forums -- originally it was in the contract until you were home with the child, but after MUCH pressure from families they amended it to until the adoption was considered complete by the country you were adopting from.
The guides in China were wonderful, and worth their expense. However, CWA also packages "three meals a day" in every province except Guangdong, which sounds great, except that all meals are at the same restaurant in your hotel (so if that restaurant isn't good, you're stuck) or at fast food places like McDonalds or KFC. You pay WAY too much money for what you're getting food wise.
Post adoption communication with CWA has been fantastic. All in all, I'd change my rating to a 3.5 and would use CWA again if "my" child was on an agency specific list and it happened to be at CWA.
Perhaps, you should consider adding another review stating, "see my recent updated post, dated 10/12/2008," with a new rating...otherwise, someone who doesn't read your comment may find they are still worthy of 5 stars! Just a thought...
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Christian World Adoption
We are in the midst of our 2nd adoption, first with CWA. The difference between the two agencies is amazing and CWA is the best.
First, the planner they give adoptive families is an incredible resource. I have only had one or two small questions that I could not find answers to in this resource.
Second, the weekly communication from your case manager deals with what is happening in the world of adoptions that week -- for example, they deal directly with "rumors" that are flying around, doing their best to address them with facts. Our other agency also sent out a weekly update, but you could tell they were sent out by a formula (for example, in week of 40 our wait, we received information about our "upcoming referral" -- even though we were no where near referral at that point in time, obviously week 40 made sense in prior years for referral information).
Third, email or phone questions are answered promptly --- in many cases in minutes!
I have been so impressed with CWA. I would recommend them to everyone who is considering adoption. I have yet to travel, but I understand that their travel guides are the best out there.
Oh, and there is a wonderful client forum board that is the most encouraging and supportive group of people I've met. Excellent agency, highly recommended!
CWA - follow up
I was the original poster of this comment and wanted to update my experience now that we have our daughter home.
As I said, we were happy with the communication with the agency, and everything went quite smoothly regarding the adoption process.
However, we were frustrated when CWA changed our contract TWICE during the course of the adoption: once to raise fees for travel (it would have been understandable had they raised them across the board for all potential travelers, but they didn't -- they raised fees for the adoptive parents by $125 each, for singles, they raised fees by $350 and for children aged 0-4 years, they raised fees by a whopping $600. Apparently they REALLY don't want APs to take young children along on the trip). The second change to our contract had to do with a confidentiality clause which, though they amended it to reflect the anger of their clients, still is WAY too harsh: APs may not, under violation of contract, show their referral information to ANYONE other than to medical specialist or pediatrician and to their social worker -- and then only if they are asking for a professional opinion on accepting that child's referral. NO showing it to future siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, close friends, etc. (you know, your support group) and absolutely not in blogs or public forums -- originally it was in the contract until you were home with the child, but after MUCH pressure from families they amended it to until the adoption was considered complete by the country you were adopting from.
The guides in China were wonderful, and worth their expense. However, CWA also packages "three meals a day" in every province except Guangdong, which sounds great, except that all meals are at the same restaurant in your hotel (so if that restaurant isn't good, you're stuck) or at fast food places like McDonalds or KFC. You pay WAY too much money for what you're getting food wise.
Post adoption communication with CWA has been fantastic. All in all, I'd change my rating to a 3.5 and would use CWA again if "my" child was on an agency specific list and it happened to be at CWA.
Happy AP
Thanks for the follow-up message...
Perhaps, you should consider adding another review stating, "see my recent updated post, dated 10/12/2008," with a new rating...otherwise, someone who doesn't read your comment may find they are still worthy of 5 stars! Just a thought...