Before you make a decision about whether FIA is right for you, we feel it's important for you to understand who we are, how we work, what we expect from clients and how we view the adoption process. The workshop will give you a chance to meet our staff, ask questions, hear stories from birth parents and adoptive parents and relax in a casual setting while exploring the adoption options offered by FIA. Please note that both partners must be in attendance at the workshop.

So we ask you to start your journey at an FIA Get Acquainted Workshop.

CLICK HERE to Complete the FIA Workshop Registration Form (on our secure server).

Attendance at a Get Acquainted Workshop is mandatory for all clients. It is a wonderful education opportunity which does not obligate you to work with Friends In Adoption. The cost of the workshop is $295 per couple or single. This fee covers all the meetings and lunch on Day 2 of the Workshop. Workshops fill up quickly and are booked on a first-come, first serve basis.

Please know that we have a no-refund policy and your fee can only be applied to the Workshop for which you register.

Call 1-802-468-3100 to speak to Friends In Adoption's friendly staff or CLICK HERE TO
CONTACT FIA VIA EMAIL

What folks have to say about our Get Acquainted Workshop:

The Get Acquainted workshop was so helpful for Sara and me. We went in knowing that we wanted to adopt, but would have held off if there were any "red flags" that we heard. We fully understand that adoption is a major commitment and didn't want to have any reservations about it. This workshop erased any reservation/myths about adoption that we had or had heard. We truly feel that FIA cares about both their adoptive parents and birth mothers. Having the staff there to speak with us, both formally and informally really made a difference. It was a really nice touch to have the staff informally available for prospective adoptive parents. We gained so much from speaking with Sandy at the mixer, having dinner with Mary the first night, chatting with Tara in the lunch line… Many have even gone through the process of adopting, which means a lot to us.

To us the two toughest parts of adopting are the 30 day period and the cost of it. FIA's approach to both of these was to reveal all and hide nothing. On the 30 day period we feel that FIA will do all it can to prepare, assess risk, and inform all involved of the situation. Even counseling is there for the birth mother. As for the cost, Tara did a great job of breaking down the fiscal responsibilities of the adoptive parents. If FIA just asked for a check for $25000, I may have paid it, but wondered where all of that money goes. I can now see that the agency fee goes toward the employment of all of the hard-working people I met; having a lawyer like Mary must be invaluable. Her phone, and others, kept ringing. She must never stop getting calls. I also see the values in extensive outreach and your many social workers. I also know there must be an escrow for the birth mother, and the purpose of it, etc.

Thanks so much to you Kim for always keeping in contact. Waiting is a fact of life and all adoptive parents will have to suffer through it. Not having to wait for answers helps. We are so happy to have paid the first half of the agency fee. There's a real feeling of hope again.

Jon and Sara