Need opinions on IAC & "Barren Blessings"

[hollyl]

Dh and I are signed up to go to the Independent Adoption Center's weekend workshop next month. But, a friend of ours heard we are adopting and called to let us know that she is adopting #2 with the help of "Barren Blessings" (Kerry Long and Amy Young in GA).

As we try to make our decision, I would LOVE to hear from anyone that has opinions or advice on this agency and consultant!

Thanks so much!
Holly

[Knot Borde]

Holly, Barrien Blessings was highly recommended to us this past summer. I spent several very long conversations on the phone with Amy and Kerry while I was trying to make the decision whether to use them. They are VERY knowledgable and I got a wonderful vibe from them. If I'm not mistaken, they cost about $2,000, which includes going through all of your photos and creating your profile. They know what PBMs are interested in seeing.

My DH and I had already hired an attorney prior to interviewing Amy and Kerry. We were giving our attorney 90 days to at least get us shown to a PBM. After the 90 day mark, we were going to use Barrien Blessings. Fortunately, we were matched on the 85th day and never had to hire Kerry. I think that if you spend some time on the phone with them, you will be very impressed.

Good luck to you. Hope your dreams come true.

[hollyl]

Thank you so much! I have heard only positive things about them, and after talking to them both over the last 2 days, I think we have made up our mind to go with them! No one that I found could say anything negative at them at all- I guess they are really as good as they sound!

Thanks again!

[sgreen2]

I just ran across this post, I know it is a couple of weeks old. But I wanted to say you are definitely making the right decision by going with Barren Blessings. We signed with them last February(they weren't as expensive then) and our son was in our arms August 1. He is now almost 7 months old. We will work with Kerry again for our next one--if we decide to go domestic!

Good Luck and Keep us Posted!
Michelle

[hollyl]

Thanks so much!

We are all signed up, and are in the middle of our homestudy right now! I just had our home visit today, and I'm trying to figure out how to get all the paperwork done!

I have heard NOTHING but positive things about them, and I have done some digging! I'm VERY excited!

Thanks and congratulations to you!

Holly

[deni3282]

Holly, Michelle and all,.


Can you give me more info on BArren Blessings - are they an agency or a facilitator. Do they only do adoptions in GA or are they nationwide. What are the fees involved. Everyone has spoken so highly of them that I would love to know more. I am located in NJ and at the very beginning stages of the process.

Thanks,
Deni

[sgreen2]

Deni,

Barren Blessings is an adoption advisor. They work with several agencies across the United States to help you find your baby the fastest. This way you are not locked in to one or two agencies. I am not sure exactly what Barren Blessings fees are anymore. When we signed with Kerry (Amy didn't work for her yet) she did not do your profile, and her fee was $750 if you were in Georgia. I know it is higher now and I think it is more if you are outside of Georgia, but in my opinion it is totally worth it!!! I am sure Kerry or Amy would be happy to talk to you. You can check out there website at www.barrenblessings.com As for other fees, she doesn't have any hidden fees. You can talk to her about your total adoption budget and she will work to find a situation within your budget. She is an adoptive mother of 4 so she understands the need to have a budget.

As far as working outside of Georgia, yes. In fact they don't work with any agencies in Georgia. They work with adoptive parents from everywhere (as far as I know) and they only work with agencies, and thus birthmoms, in states with less than 72 hours to sign relinquishment and no revocation period after signing. We are in GA but our son came from Kansas (a state where birthmom can sign after 12 hours and no revocation).

Hope this helps. You can PM me or email me if you have any more questions that you don't want to post here.

Good Luck
Michelle

[hollyl]

If anyone is reading this old post to get info on whether or not to go with Barren Blessings/Kerry Long... Don't do it. As you can see, this post was started by me in Feb... and I went with her then.

At the VERY least, she tells people that they are presented when they aren't, to string them along... Also, in the situation where a bmom didn't want to choose the family herself, Kerry somehow hand-picked at least 11 couples to be the parents of the baby- including me. She has so many clients that she is trying to appease everyone to make them feel that she is working.

Run.

[hollyl]

Michelle- I think an advisor would help you to contact agencies and send your profile, guiding you. Kerry handles all connections herself, and refuses to give out the agencies/attorneys numbers to let you contact them directly. She also is so busy that she suggested that people actually refrain from calling her until she has a match for them... I don't think this is the definition of "advisor"... I think it's more like a "facilitator", which is illegal in GA.

Sheesh... Now, I know!

[deni3282]

Holly,

I am sorry to hear about your situation. After doing alot of reasearch, my DH and I decided to go with a small private agency. We felt very comfortable with them and are now waiting for a placement.

Do you have some kidn ro recourse, can you get some money back or anything. Do you have plans to pursue adoption thru other means. Whatever you choose to do - I wish you the best.