without a roadmap!
Would You Start on a Road Trip Without Directions?
Think of Domestic Adoption Coach as your personal adoption GPS — guiding you step-by-step to your adoption destination.
In an ideal world, the road to adoption would be straightforward: you’d choose a local agency, sign up, and wait for the call. Unfortunately, the reality is much more complex. Being passive or uninformed about the process can lead to costly mistakes, unnecessary risks, unexpected delays — or, in the worst-case scenario, not adopting at all.
I can help.
Avoid costly mistakes and heartbreak
Choose the right professionals to support your goals
Reduce waiting times and unnecessary expenses
Navigate every step of the process with confidence
Reduce the overall cost of adopting
Call to schedule your free consultation
One Conversation Could Save You Months of Frustration
About Cindy
My name is Cindy Simonson, and I am an adoptive mother with over 27 years of experience helping families navigate the adoption process. As the founder of A Loving Alternative Adoptions, I played a role in the creation of more than 800 families and personally spoke with thousands of women facing unplanned pregnancies. These experiences have given me unique insights into both sides of the adoption process.
Services
Domestic Adoption Coach offers personalized guidance to help hopeful adoptive parents navigate the complexities of private domestic adoption with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
Key Services Include
- One-on-one adoption coaching tailored to your family’s needs and goals
- Guidance on choosing an agency, attorney, or consultant
- Help creating your adoption profile and navigating applications
- Support with home study preparation and required documentation
- Coaching on outreach and networking strategies to connect with expectant parents
- Ongoing support throughout the matching and placement process
- Assistance with post-placement and finalization steps
FAQs
Why Work with a Domestic Adoption Coach?
If you’re considering domestic adoption, you may be surprised by how confusing and overwhelming the process can be. There are several ways to adopt, figuring out the right path can be daunting—especially if you’re emotionally drained from infertility treatment.
With so much information available, it’s easy to feel lost. Too many options can add stress instead of clarity. That’s where I come in. I listen to your hopes, needs, and expectations, then cut through the noise to create a clear step by step plan just for you.
I’ll help you avoid trial and error, reduce stress, and confidently move forward—on the right path from the start.
Don’t Adoption Agencies Provide All the Services I Need?
Adoption agencies offer valuable services, but choosing one without proper knowledge can be a costly mistake. Without understanding what you need to successfully adopt, you may sign up with an agency that isn’t the right fit for you.
Some agencies provide excellent services but maintain long waiting lists without an active outreach program. This can result in extended delays or, in some cases, never adopting at all. Others charge large upfront fees, adding unnecessary costs to your adoption journey.
It’s essential to know exactly what to look for before committing to an agency. I value the critical role agencies play, but by working with me first, I can help you identify the right agency—one that aligns with your needs and increases your chances of successful adoption.
What to Expect in Home Study
The home study process typically includes:
- Criminal background checks
- Child abuse registry checks
- Review of financial and medical records
- Employment verification
- Reference checks
- Interviews with a licensed social worker
- A home visit to ensure a safe and suitable environment
While being screened may feel intimidating, it’s important to remember that this process is in place to protect children. Many expectant mothers considering adoption find this screening reassuring.
The good news is that home study workers are not there to judge you but to support and prepare you. I can refer you to compassionate professionals who will guide you every step of the way, helping you feel confident and ready for this incredible journey. In many cases, your home study worker can even serve as your advocate throughout the adoption process.
How Do We Budget for Adoption?
Adoption comes with various costs, and one of the first steps in our journey together will be to discuss your adoption budget. I will outline different adoption paths, explaining the average costs associated with each option.
By establishing a clear budget from the start, you’ll be able to make informed decisions and avoid unexpected financial stress. My goal is to help you create a realistic adoption plan that aligns with your budget and financial comfort level.
Adoption expenses can range from $20,000 to $80,000. Without a well-defined budget, you might fall in love with an opportunity that is simply beyond your means—leading to unnecessary disappointment. For example, if your budget is $30,000, it would be heartbreaking to be presented with an $80,000 adoption that isn’t financially feasible.
I will work with you to develop a structured plan that keeps you within your budget while maximizing your chances of successful adoption. Together, we’ll ensure that your adoption is both financially manageable and deeply rewarding.
Does Domestic Adoption Coach Help Us Understand Financial Assistance that is available?
We will help you understand the adoption tax credit and provide you with many resources that provide adoption grants.
Will we need an Adoption Attorney?
I will provide you with referrals to trusted attorneys in your state to consult with at the beginning of the process. The reason for the consultation is to get an understanding of adoption laws in your state and to see which one you connect with.
In the end you may or may not need an attorney depending on what state you are in and what state the mom you match is in. Some states only allow agency adoptions.