Adoption Network’s Response to The Baby Brokers: Inside America’s Murky Private-Adoption Industry

Adoption Network Response to Recent Media Coverage

Recently, TIME published an article discussing Adoption Network and its perceived role in the domestic newborn adoption industry in the United States. As a team, we are deeply saddened by the article. It has affected each and every one of us.

We strive, and will always strive, to honor and support expectant mothers in their decisions. We love and honor birth mothers, and for even one birth mother to feel that she was not supported or heard breaks our hearts.

The Adoption Network brand has been operating for over 25 years and has been part of more than 6,000 successful adoptions. We are proud of our current team, which consists of strong, ethical, and dedicated adoption professionals. The world of adoption is constantly evolving, and we are committed to learning and growing in our practice to best support the adoption community, including birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees.

Within the article, there were several accusations and suggestions that we believe misrepresent Adoption Network and the work we do. In order to protect and maintain the privacy of past clients, birth mothers, and employees, Adoption Network is limited in disclosing specific details. However, some of the broader accusations are addressed below to provide additional context and perspective on common practices within the adoption community.

Service and Retainer Fees

False Claim: Adoption Network is profit-driven at the expense of adoptive families and birth mothers.

Reality: Within the article and video, there is mention of fees paid by adoptive families. These fees help support the services and resources involved in the adoption process, including:

Administrative work involved in preparing an adoptive family for an adoption opportunity.

The growing expense of outreach and advertising through Google and other channels to make potential birth mothers aware of Adoption Network’s services.

The creation and publishing of the adoptive family’s profile used for marketing purposes.

Review of the adoptive family’s profile to help ensure it is clear, complete, and appropriate for presentation.

Assignment of a Client Services Liaison who is dedicated to the adoptive family’s file, regardless of whether the process takes a few months or a few years.

A team that is available to answer calls and support birth mothers 24 hours a day.

As the article correctly points out, domestic newborn adoption involves a significant imbalance between the number of hopeful adoptive parents and the number of birth mothers considering adoption. Outreach takes money, time, and human resources.

Depending on how efficient we can be with advertising budgets, we have been able to reduce certain fees over the years. Some past agreements were more expensive, which is not indicative of profit maximization as the article suggests. Further, no matter how long an opportunity may take to present itself, the client is not asked to pay more simply because the process takes longer. This is a one-time fixed fee.

Additional fees may help cover services such as developing a relationship with a potential birth mother, managing the adoption opportunity for as long as necessary, and providing post-birth care and support for the birth mother involved for as long as needed.

While some people who are not involved in or familiar with the domestic adoption process may find these fees high, Adoption Network believes these fees are within the standards of adoption professionals and are necessary to support both the adoptive family and the birth mother. All of Adoption Network’s fees are clearly presented before a hopeful adoptive family becomes a client.

Birth Mother Living Expenses

False Claim: Adoption Network attempted to increase the living expenses provided by one of its clients.

Reality: Birth mother living expenses are a common support mechanism used to help ensure the health and well-being of the birth mother during the adoption process. This may include food, rent, certain utility payments, and other necessities.

These expenses are generally based on the actual needs of the birth mother and the guidelines that apply to her situation. At Adoption Network, we work to provide appropriate support to the birth mother throughout the adoption process.

In coordination with a prospective adoptive family, Adoption Network determines support based on the actual needs of the birth mother. Adoption Network documents and verifies the expectant mother’s expenses on an ongoing basis. All anticipated expenses are communicated before an expectant mother moves forward with choosing a family. Adoptive families are presented with projected expenses before moving forward in an adoption opportunity.

Birth Mother Reimbursement

False Claim: Adoption Network threatens birth mothers with repayment of money if they change their mind.

Reality: Adoption Network has not and will not tolerate any employee suggesting that a birth mother must pay back birth mother living expenses simply because she changes her mind.

A birth mother has the right to make the decision she believes is best for herself and her child. Adoption Network supports expectant mothers in making informed decisions and believes that no birth mother should feel pressured, threatened, or coerced during the adoption process.

Birth Mothers and Outside Agency Involvement

False Claim: Adoption Network threatens birth mothers with outside agency involvement.

Reality: Adoption Network has never, and will never, coerce an expectant mother with threats. In some situations, outside professionals such as hospital social workers may become involved when there are concerns about a child’s well-being or an expectant mother’s circumstances.

Adoption Network believes that expectant mothers should be informed of their options and supported in understanding the realities of each decision. These conversations should never be used as threats. Adoption Network supports any decision an expectant mother makes.

Birth Mother Relocation

False Claim: Adoption Network relocates birth mothers to make adoption easier for the client.

Reality: Adoption Network is not aware of a birth mother relocating simply to make it easier to complete an adoption. If a birth mother wants to relocate for personal reasons, such as wanting to leave her state or move away from a difficult situation, Adoption Network has honored and supported her request.

The decision for an expectant mother to move is always initiated by and in the hands of the birth mother.

Adoption Opportunity Practices

False Claim: Adoption Network only makes opportunities that maximize revenue.

Reality: Within the TIME article, it was suggested that Adoption Network optimizes income by only providing opportunities to clients that would bring in new revenue. This is a misrepresentation of the truth.

Adoption Network has no official or unofficial guidelines mandating certain criteria for adoption opportunities based on anticipated income. Adoption Network strives to create the strongest adoption opportunity possible, considering the needs of the adoptive family and the birth mother without regard to how it impacts revenue.

Making the strongest relationship possible works for everyone involved. The Adoption Network brand has lasted over 25 years because it does not prioritize revenue ahead of a strong adoption opportunity.

Clarification on Public Comments and Reviews

False Claim: Adoption Network silences adoptive families and birth mothers to protect its reputation.

Reality: Adoption Network does not prevent clients or birth mothers from voicing their opinions about their experiences. This can be seen through public reviews on platforms such as Yelp and Google.

Adoption Network believes feedback is important. Adoption can be emotional, personal, and complex, and people may have different experiences throughout the process. We encourage respectful communication and believe that families should be thoughtful when discussing sensitive adoption matters publicly, especially when those discussions may involve birth parents, adoptive families, or children.

Adoption Network remains committed to transparency, respectful communication, and support for all members of the adoption triad.

Parting Words

Adoption Network is confident that prospective birth mothers and adoptive families are able to look carefully at the full picture. Adoption is complex, emotional, and deeply personal. We recognize that conversations about adoption must include care, honesty, and continued growth.

Adoption Network celebrates and supports birth mothers. We remain committed to supporting adoptive families, birth parents, and adoptees in an ethical and compassionate manner.

Adoption Network will continue to learn, grow, and serve the adoption community in a way that honors each member of the adoption triad.