An agency adoption is one arranged by a child placement agency, including a local department of social services. There are significant differences between private and public agencies. Private agencies are funded by fees and donations. Public agencies are funded by tax dollars.
Private agencies receive children as a result of voluntary relinquishments by birthparents.
Children come to a public agency after being removed from their homes as a result of abuse or neglect. A private adoption agency works with both birthparents and adopting parents. The agency will provide adoption counseling and financial support to the birthparents. The birthparents may have input into the selection of the adopting parents. For example, the birthparents may review non-identifying resumes of the prospective adopting couples or interview willing adopting parents.