As our adoption relationship with building blocks has legally come to a close, I find it fitting to be able to put my thoughts down in a review to hopefully paint a more clear picture of what we went through with this agency.
I do want to stress that this review does not reflect our sentiments for the birth mother involved (very good relationship), or social worker (who was excellent), or any outside agency that took part in the adoption process (lawyers, courts, etc). This review is only a reflection of the interactions and experiences when dealing directly with the adoption agency, Building Blocks.
As a same sex couple we were already coming into this knowing that it would be a different experience. We took it upon ourselves to try and help the agency in making their forms and documents more inclusive by eliminating the "father/mother, husband/wife, his/her" language. This movement was met with, quite frankly, disrespect. We were told, directly by the supervisor, that the forms would not change and we could just "write in" the correct language.
We do understand that the goal of an adoption is to make sure the birthmother (BM) is 100% satisfied, happy, and sound with her decision on the adoption. However, there were countless times that we were not to made feel like we were part of the equation. We were never thanks and opinions were never asked of us. We have a great relationship with the BM, but there were many times that the agency would ask us to text her more, to call her more, to meet up more, even when we were in contact with the BM and she did not request this. Anytime there was an issue with the agency, we would ask to be called so we could work through it on the phone, but never received a phone call.
There was a situation in which the BM sent a gift to the office for us. Very sweet, and again, we had a great relationship with the BM. We were told that we had to pick up the package or have it mailed from their office to our house (We lived over 2 hours away). We said we would pick it up, as we had family up in the area. This response warranted a very nasty response from the director, stating that it was rude of us and that in order to keep the BM happy, we have to pick it up or have it mailed. Thus, we had it mailed and cost us about $30. $30 isn't a lot, but when you are spending upmost of $26,000 total, it is.
Throughout the process we paid for several things from our escrow account without receiving a receipt or proof. We received receipts after multiple requests but they didn't offer it over easily. You would think that for spending that much money receipts that proved what the money was used for would be a given.
There was little to no communication between the agency and the social worker they assigned to our case. Again, I stand firm that our social worker was wonderful, but little things like having to send multiple things to multiple people occured. Items we gave to our SW were requested by the agency when they were supposed to share that information. Little detail, but again, it all adds up.
It all comes down to the fact that we felt very unrespected and very invisible during the entire process. I know from other people who have gone through adoptions that their experiences were much nicer and their agencies actually treated them as half the equation to making the best possible life for the adopted child.
I was not going to write this review, but we had our court hearing the other day (yay!) and our adoption was finalized by the courts and state. This was AMAZING news and a long time coming. The agency sent a final invoice with an outstanding $2k bill (an additional 2K we did not know about seeing as we had no receipts or proof of purchases). The agency did NOT reach out and congratulate us. They did ask if we wanted to extend our home study, but not a congratulations. Therefore I think it's necessary to state that if you are looking for an agency that respects you as an individual and values your time (and money), do not use Building Blocks of Medina, OH. read more
