Our experience was excellent. Yes, there were times when I was frustrated and wanted more info, but each and every time there was info on my case I received an email, often late into the night, or a personal phone call. When there were problems with the first referral, Sue made sure it was handled promptly by staff the next day as she was leaving the country, and I had a new referral within a day. The staff really cares and it shows. When I ran into problems with a delayed DNA test, I was given answers by phone and by email. Every step of the way I received the help that I needed, either from a case worker helping me prepare my dossier, or staff who fielded my calls. I tried to not make a nuisance of myself by emailing a lot, because I could see the typical "movement" on the boards of other cases and paced mine by theirs, which to me made sense, even if I did not receive regular weekly or monthly updates. Do I feel like there were things CCI could do better, sure. But by far, I felt like my case was handled with great care and followup.
There is definitely someone anonymous out there who has a vendetta for Sue personally, that is quite clear, as this is not the first time I've seen some pretty horrid things posted. I did not walk in your shoes, and you did not walk in mine, but I find the posts disturbing, especially when you accuse someone (whom I know) who posted with their name earlier that they must be Sue posting. I do know people who did not have good experiences, with CCI as well as with other agencies, and I hope that this rating board proves to be a good thing. The fact that people can post anonymous makes me less accepting of it's truth and usefulness.
I have read and re-read these comments and what I find amazing is that adoptive parents that have had good experiences with Celebrate Children find it hard to believe that there is a large population that have not. I used Celebrate Children to bring my daugther home and I will say that my experience over all was not bad HOWEVER I believe that it was a different time in Sue Hedberg's career. Don't get me wrong I have numerous emails from Sue that I felt were less than professional, I was threatened to have my referral pulled. I was questioned about my faith, and I was told over and over that my daugther was coming home in god's time. Yet payment was expected in Sue's time not god's time. This post is not to bash Sue or Celebrate Children, Sue in her heart of hearts knows she was wroing and it takes a strong woman to admit it, apologize and move on. She won't because Sue is not a strong woman, no disrespect. She is actaully a woman who fell into a very good business and quite frankly could not handle things when she got busy. She resorted to lying, covering up, bullying and allowing things to get out of control. I'm a forgiving person and you know what most if not all if the wonderful families I have met through our adoption journey are forgiving as well. Sue admit you were wrong in treating people this way, admit to being over your head, admit to treating people with disrespect, admit to bullying people when you felt threatened yourself, admit to not having information you should have, admit to blaming contacts in Guatemala when you were the one who was wrong. Sue, people would rather hear the truth even if they don't like it then to be lied to. Sue you owe a lot of people an apologize and you really need to soul search and think how you should do it. Individually through letters, an open email to former clients, etc....I bet if you did and were sincere, I mean really sincere, more than half of your problems would go away. Families just need to feel you understand what you did to them. Adoptive families should not be up crying at night fearing their Director, families should not be considering hiring outside help when you should be helping them. Bottom line Sue you know if you are reading this the conversations that you had on your chat group that were unprofessional, talking about clients when they weren't on, sharing personal information about families, for goodness sake I was on one night when you annouced a family was out and the family didn't even know yet. Come on Sue how professional is that? No one gets pleasure out of posting negative things about you or your agency, we understand that above everything you are a mom and we are sorry that your children read and hear things but Sue you need to realize what you have done to people. Recognize it , apologize and move on. We all make mistakes the difference is some of us recognize them and learn from them you Sue seem to making the same mistakes over and over. I know you have many, many people who support you and for your sake I'm happy for you, no one wants to feel alone. Michelle and Anita, you are very kind to defend her but many of us were around when you were and Michelle your adoption was not smooth and come on you what happen to your prayer chain, you were told to stop it. No one is looking for a fight, no one is looking to cause unnecessary pain but what alot of celebrate children families are looking for is for the families who have had a good experience to appreciate that all of us have not and just because it didn't happen to you doesn't mean it didn't happen. Sue was not accredited for a reason and Sue's staff hasn't jumped ship for a reason. I will always be thankful for my daugther and would go through everything I went through and more to have her, that being said it doesn't make it right.
Sue, if you are reading this I truely believe that you at one time had the children of Guatemala's best interest at heart, I really do. When people use the words evil, greedy, mean, rude etc...you have to remember these are words you have used to describe adoptive families. Sue put an end to all of this back and forth and admit to your wrong doing and move on. Stop allowing adoptives families to bash each other over your wrong doing. I have met some wonderful families along our journey and have learn so much about this community that I'm so thankful I'm a part of it, it makes me sad to see really good people hurt each others feelings because of your actions. Sue we are asking you to step up to the plate admit you were wrong and put all of this behind everyone. There is so much going on in Guatemala right now that our adoptive community doesn't need the added pressure of our agency being bashed. I don't want to be embarassed to say I used Celebrate Children. I want to be able to say my agency had it's faults, admitted to them and moved on. As an adopted mom of a beautiful gautemalan daugther, I'm so proud of her, her country and our jourmey. We all need to stick together, help the families in guatemala, pray for these child and the governement to make the right decisions for these kids. Guatemala will always have a very special part of my heart, I want to focus on the positive and not the negative and Sue until you make some choices the negative is NOT going away. Sue, soul search and make the right decision not only for you and your family but for all the kids you helped bring home. Admit you are human and not god, admit you made mistakes, admit you hurt people and admit that you were wrong. You caused a lot of pain to a lot of families be the bigger person and help these families start to heal so that everyone including you can move on.
I honestely do not know who this is. It must be someone that was in the process at the same time I was since they know I started the prayer chain. However, I would like to clarify a statement made....here is the statement:
"Michelle and Anita, you are very kind to defend her but many of us were around when you were and Michelle your adoption was not smooth and come on you what happen to your prayer chain, you were told to stop it."
With my hand on a Bible, I was NEVER told to stop the prayer chain. I don't know how or why that rumor got started, nor have I even heard of it until this post. In fact, I stopped being in charge of the prayer chain when we were told it was time to pick up my son. He had just turned 3 years old at the time, as I'm sure most of you would understand...I wanted to spend all my time helping him adjust and get used to his new family. I continued to read the posts when I found a chance and was thrilled when I realized that other clients had taken over the Prayer Chain. To this day it is still being posted. Anyone can post a prayer concern. If Sue has ever voiced her dislike of the prayer chain, it was NEVER to me.
As for my case. No, it was not smooth as butter. We had ups and downs like most everyone else. However, I did not blame Sue for every glitch in the process. Maybe it WAS her fault. Maybe she wasn't doing her job. Maybe the whole thing was a sham. I am simply a "glass half full" kind of person and I choose to be as positive as possible.
I do, however, take up for those who are wronged. Which is why even though CCI is pulling out of Guatemala for the most part I am digging my heals in and helping the Rosa de Amor program continue to keep the Sotzil children fed and educated. We can argue all day about whether or not Sue is "the real deal". Whether she is or not does not change the situation in Guatemala. My "opinions" won't change a thing. My actions will.
FACTS:
*My son came home 11 months after his referral.
*I was never threatened in any way.
*DNA took 5 months.....unusually long time....bio mom had to make 3 trips due to illness and DNA being tainted with blood from gingivitis.
*I visited once before pick up and Sue helped with contacts.
*During pick up Sue organized all transportation and translators with the facilitator...we did nothing but wait at the front of the hotel.
*Sue returned all calls and emails....though emails were usually one sentence long...blunt and to the point (I never got offended)
*Pink slip kept getting pushed back for reasons I forget....nothing major that I knew of. It was the most difficult time for me. I think we waited about 3 weeks overall before we could travel. (longest weeks of our lives!) We wanted to get there by his 3rd birthday and instead traveled 2 weeks later. However, this allowed his WONDERFUL foster mother (who he STILL talks about fondly) to share one birthday with him...I'll have him for all the rest.
I really do not want to sound as if I do not believe others who have had difficult experiences with CCI. Each case is different, I totally understand that. But I won't lie about my own case just to talk badly about someone who never "openly" did me any harm to my knowledge.
Once again, I'm so sorry for those who had bad experiences. A friend of mine is going through a tough one right now with CCI. She hasn't said anything negative at all, but I know she is questioning things. But she is a "glass half full" person too. I pray her child comes home soon.
Oh! I can clear up the prayer chain confusion! I had the prayer chain after Michelle and it was I who was given orders by Sue concerning the prayer chain, so, I assume (which, of course, you SHOULDN'T do!) this is where the mix up comes into play! Someone is thinking about me instead of Michelle I'll bet! Sue didn't order me to stop the prayer chain, she just told me to stop putting everyone's dates in or she would stop the prayer chain herself! And, talk about Sue's short and abrupt emails...that's all it said! I never questioned her, I just retyped the entire prayer chain leaving everyone's timelines out and never included timelines again. What can I say, I was in the middle of PGN at that time and never getting ANY news on my already funky case that had LOADS of mysterious things going on with it and so, I was afraid like everyone else to "rock the boat". I assume Sue thought not having timelines would decrease the fanning of the flames since noone would know anyone else's timelines so, they wouldn't be comparing their cases to anyone else's. Of course, what she didn't know was that groups of people were all getting together outside her chat and comparing not only timelines but, also other information they were getting from Sue or other CCI staffers and comparing notes and we were all starting to realize how really shabbily we were being talked to and treated during this already painful process. I think the process is a hard one and I think Sue's job is a difficult one as well but, when you accept the amount of pay she does to do this job then you have to step up to the plate and DO the darned job and not complain about it! You also have to be professional and not talk about your clients with other clients and oh....no gay bashing on the boards Sue! Some of your very own clients might be gay or have gay relatives and whether you believe in people leading their own lifestyles or not, you've taken money from gays and adopted out children to gays and their money has lined your pocket just as well as straight money so, no gay bashing in public please! BE PROFESSIONAL! Frankly, working with Sue and CCI was like working with a bunch of high school girls just trying to keep everyone out of their own click! I got past those days years ago so, I didn't want to play. Anyway, one thing I didn't get was the psych eval threats.......darn!
Best of luck ladies! Hope your children are home safe and sound tonight!
You state "I tried to not make a nuisance of myself by emailing a lot". She must have loved you. I am much less passive then that and it is a good thing. I would call to find out why something wasn't progressing only to find out that there was some type of screw up that she was not aware of and doing nothing to resolve. In one case my dossier had actully been lost!
She didn't know until I pushed the issue and she called Guatemala.
If you are the passive type and your case goes well. She is great. If either you have problems with your case or actually want to be updated as promised you wont be happy.
Actually I am pretty high strung and not the passive type at all. I pushed harder than most for answers, and got them, but again I tried to find that happy medium, not only for CCI but for my own well-being.
I think the point here is share info about agency experiences and not critique fellow PAPs.
Each adoption is unique and so is each adoptive family. It is a reality that some PAPs so well with an agency director and others are treated poorly. One experience doesn't negate the other.
What I would like to see in an agency review is timelines, contract terms, deviations from accepted social work practices, fee structures, humanitarian aid to orphanages and financial stability of the agency as reported by PAPs who do their homework. Does the agency director have a bad history with other agencies, has she been sued, did she have licensure violations.
Telling me that some caseworker was "nice" or "awsome" just gives me a superlative adjective that isn't very informative in the long run. Of course, agency staff is nice to PAPs when they are trying to get you to sign a contract. But is the contract fair and equitable? Are services performed as promised.
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Reviews
Excellent Experience
Our experience was excellent. Yes, there were times when I was frustrated and wanted more info, but each and every time there was info on my case I received an email, often late into the night, or a personal phone call. When there were problems with the first referral, Sue made sure it was handled promptly by staff the next day as she was leaving the country, and I had a new referral within a day. The staff really cares and it shows. When I ran into problems with a delayed DNA test, I was given answers by phone and by email. Every step of the way I received the help that I needed, either from a case worker helping me prepare my dossier, or staff who fielded my calls. I tried to not make a nuisance of myself by emailing a lot, because I could see the typical "movement" on the boards of other cases and paced mine by theirs, which to me made sense, even if I did not receive regular weekly or monthly updates. Do I feel like there were things CCI could do better, sure. But by far, I felt like my case was handled with great care and followup.
There is definitely someone anonymous out there who has a vendetta for Sue personally, that is quite clear, as this is not the first time I've seen some pretty horrid things posted. I did not walk in your shoes, and you did not walk in mine, but I find the posts disturbing, especially when you accuse someone (whom I know) who posted with their name earlier that they must be Sue posting. I do know people who did not have good experiences, with CCI as well as with other agencies, and I hope that this rating board proves to be a good thing. The fact that people can post anonymous makes me less accepting of it's truth and usefulness.
Sue step up to the plate.......
I have read and re-read these comments and what I find amazing is that adoptive parents that have had good experiences with Celebrate Children find it hard to believe that there is a large population that have not. I used Celebrate Children to bring my daugther home and I will say that my experience over all was not bad HOWEVER I believe that it was a different time in Sue Hedberg's career. Don't get me wrong I have numerous emails from Sue that I felt were less than professional, I was threatened to have my referral pulled. I was questioned about my faith, and I was told over and over that my daugther was coming home in god's time. Yet payment was expected in Sue's time not god's time. This post is not to bash Sue or Celebrate Children, Sue in her heart of hearts knows she was wroing and it takes a strong woman to admit it, apologize and move on. She won't because Sue is not a strong woman, no disrespect. She is actaully a woman who fell into a very good business and quite frankly could not handle things when she got busy. She resorted to lying, covering up, bullying and allowing things to get out of control. I'm a forgiving person and you know what most if not all if the wonderful families I have met through our adoption journey are forgiving as well. Sue admit you were wrong in treating people this way, admit to being over your head, admit to treating people with disrespect, admit to bullying people when you felt threatened yourself, admit to not having information you should have, admit to blaming contacts in Guatemala when you were the one who was wrong. Sue, people would rather hear the truth even if they don't like it then to be lied to. Sue you owe a lot of people an apologize and you really need to soul search and think how you should do it. Individually through letters, an open email to former clients, etc....I bet if you did and were sincere, I mean really sincere, more than half of your problems would go away. Families just need to feel you understand what you did to them. Adoptive families should not be up crying at night fearing their Director, families should not be considering hiring outside help when you should be helping them. Bottom line Sue you know if you are reading this the conversations that you had on your chat group that were unprofessional, talking about clients when they weren't on, sharing personal information about families, for goodness sake I was on one night when you annouced a family was out and the family didn't even know yet. Come on Sue how professional is that? No one gets pleasure out of posting negative things about you or your agency, we understand that above everything you are a mom and we are sorry that your children read and hear things but Sue you need to realize what you have done to people. Recognize it , apologize and move on. We all make mistakes the difference is some of us recognize them and learn from them you Sue seem to making the same mistakes over and over. I know you have many, many people who support you and for your sake I'm happy for you, no one wants to feel alone. Michelle and Anita, you are very kind to defend her but many of us were around when you were and Michelle your adoption was not smooth and come on you what happen to your prayer chain, you were told to stop it. No one is looking for a fight, no one is looking to cause unnecessary pain but what alot of celebrate children families are looking for is for the families who have had a good experience to appreciate that all of us have not and just because it didn't happen to you doesn't mean it didn't happen. Sue was not accredited for a reason and Sue's staff hasn't jumped ship for a reason. I will always be thankful for my daugther and would go through everything I went through and more to have her, that being said it doesn't make it right.
Sue, if you are reading this I truely believe that you at one time had the children of Guatemala's best interest at heart, I really do. When people use the words evil, greedy, mean, rude etc...you have to remember these are words you have used to describe adoptive families. Sue put an end to all of this back and forth and admit to your wrong doing and move on. Stop allowing adoptives families to bash each other over your wrong doing. I have met some wonderful families along our journey and have learn so much about this community that I'm so thankful I'm a part of it, it makes me sad to see really good people hurt each others feelings because of your actions. Sue we are asking you to step up to the plate admit you were wrong and put all of this behind everyone. There is so much going on in Guatemala right now that our adoptive community doesn't need the added pressure of our agency being bashed. I don't want to be embarassed to say I used Celebrate Children. I want to be able to say my agency had it's faults, admitted to them and moved on. As an adopted mom of a beautiful gautemalan daugther, I'm so proud of her, her country and our jourmey. We all need to stick together, help the families in guatemala, pray for these child and the governement to make the right decisions for these kids. Guatemala will always have a very special part of my heart, I want to focus on the positive and not the negative and Sue until you make some choices the negative is NOT going away. Sue, soul search and make the right decision not only for you and your family but for all the kids you helped bring home. Admit you are human and not god, admit you made mistakes, admit you hurt people and admit that you were wrong. You caused a lot of pain to a lot of families be the bigger person and help these families start to heal so that everyone including you can move on.
clarification of a statement
I honestely do not know who this is. It must be someone that was in the process at the same time I was since they know I started the prayer chain. However, I would like to clarify a statement made....here is the statement:
"Michelle and Anita, you are very kind to defend her but many of us were around when you were and Michelle your adoption was not smooth and come on you what happen to your prayer chain, you were told to stop it."
With my hand on a Bible, I was NEVER told to stop the prayer chain. I don't know how or why that rumor got started, nor have I even heard of it until this post. In fact, I stopped being in charge of the prayer chain when we were told it was time to pick up my son. He had just turned 3 years old at the time, as I'm sure most of you would understand...I wanted to spend all my time helping him adjust and get used to his new family. I continued to read the posts when I found a chance and was thrilled when I realized that other clients had taken over the Prayer Chain. To this day it is still being posted. Anyone can post a prayer concern. If Sue has ever voiced her dislike of the prayer chain, it was NEVER to me.
As for my case. No, it was not smooth as butter. We had ups and downs like most everyone else. However, I did not blame Sue for every glitch in the process. Maybe it WAS her fault. Maybe she wasn't doing her job. Maybe the whole thing was a sham. I am simply a "glass half full" kind of person and I choose to be as positive as possible.
I do, however, take up for those who are wronged. Which is why even though CCI is pulling out of Guatemala for the most part I am digging my heals in and helping the Rosa de Amor program continue to keep the Sotzil children fed and educated. We can argue all day about whether or not Sue is "the real deal". Whether she is or not does not change the situation in Guatemala. My "opinions" won't change a thing. My actions will.
FACTS:
*My son came home 11 months after his referral.
*I was never threatened in any way.
*DNA took 5 months.....unusually long time....bio mom had to make 3 trips due to illness and DNA being tainted with blood from gingivitis.
*I visited once before pick up and Sue helped with contacts.
*During pick up Sue organized all transportation and translators with the facilitator...we did nothing but wait at the front of the hotel.
*Sue returned all calls and emails....though emails were usually one sentence long...blunt and to the point (I never got offended)
*Pink slip kept getting pushed back for reasons I forget....nothing major that I knew of. It was the most difficult time for me. I think we waited about 3 weeks overall before we could travel. (longest weeks of our lives!) We wanted to get there by his 3rd birthday and instead traveled 2 weeks later. However, this allowed his WONDERFUL foster mother (who he STILL talks about fondly) to share one birthday with him...I'll have him for all the rest.
I really do not want to sound as if I do not believe others who have had difficult experiences with CCI. Each case is different, I totally understand that. But I won't lie about my own case just to talk badly about someone who never "openly" did me any harm to my knowledge.
Once again, I'm so sorry for those who had bad experiences. A friend of mine is going through a tough one right now with CCI. She hasn't said anything negative at all, but I know she is questioning things. But she is a "glass half full" person too. I pray her child comes home soon.
Sincerely,
Michelle Garland
prayer chain confusion
Oh! I can clear up the prayer chain confusion! I had the prayer chain after Michelle and it was I who was given orders by Sue concerning the prayer chain, so, I assume (which, of course, you SHOULDN'T do!) this is where the mix up comes into play! Someone is thinking about me instead of Michelle I'll bet! Sue didn't order me to stop the prayer chain, she just told me to stop putting everyone's dates in or she would stop the prayer chain herself! And, talk about Sue's short and abrupt emails...that's all it said! I never questioned her, I just retyped the entire prayer chain leaving everyone's timelines out and never included timelines again. What can I say, I was in the middle of PGN at that time and never getting ANY news on my already funky case that had LOADS of mysterious things going on with it and so, I was afraid like everyone else to "rock the boat". I assume Sue thought not having timelines would decrease the fanning of the flames since noone would know anyone else's timelines so, they wouldn't be comparing their cases to anyone else's. Of course, what she didn't know was that groups of people were all getting together outside her chat and comparing not only timelines but, also other information they were getting from Sue or other CCI staffers and comparing notes and we were all starting to realize how really shabbily we were being talked to and treated during this already painful process. I think the process is a hard one and I think Sue's job is a difficult one as well but, when you accept the amount of pay she does to do this job then you have to step up to the plate and DO the darned job and not complain about it! You also have to be professional and not talk about your clients with other clients and oh....no gay bashing on the boards Sue! Some of your very own clients might be gay or have gay relatives and whether you believe in people leading their own lifestyles or not, you've taken money from gays and adopted out children to gays and their money has lined your pocket just as well as straight money so, no gay bashing in public please! BE PROFESSIONAL! Frankly, working with Sue and CCI was like working with a bunch of high school girls just trying to keep everyone out of their own click! I got past those days years ago so, I didn't want to play. Anyway, one thing I didn't get was the psych eval threats.......darn!
Best of luck ladies! Hope your children are home safe and sound tonight!
You state "I tried to not
You state "I tried to not make a nuisance of myself by emailing a lot". She must have loved you. I am much less passive then that and it is a good thing. I would call to find out why something wasn't progressing only to find out that there was some type of screw up that she was not aware of and doing nothing to resolve. In one case my dossier had actully been lost!
She didn't know until I pushed the issue and she called Guatemala.
If you are the passive type and your case goes well. She is great. If either you have problems with your case or actually want to be updated as promised you wont be happy.
Actually I am pretty high
Actually I am pretty high strung and not the passive type at all. I pushed harder than most for answers, and got them, but again I tried to find that happy medium, not only for CCI but for my own well-being.
are we reviewing the agency or the PAPs?
I think the point here is share info about agency experiences and not critique fellow PAPs.
Each adoption is unique and so is each adoptive family. It is a reality that some PAPs so well with an agency director and others are treated poorly. One experience doesn't negate the other.
What I would like to see in an agency review is timelines, contract terms, deviations from accepted social work practices, fee structures, humanitarian aid to orphanages and financial stability of the agency as reported by PAPs who do their homework. Does the agency director have a bad history with other agencies, has she been sued, did she have licensure violations.
Telling me that some caseworker was "nice" or "awsome" just gives me a superlative adjective that isn't very informative in the long run. Of course, agency staff is nice to PAPs when they are trying to get you to sign a contract. But is the contract fair and equitable? Are services performed as promised.