Ethical Adoption Practices: What Every Hopeful Adoptive Parent Should Know | Robert LaMarche

Rob LaMarche has seen adoption from nearly every angle—and he’s sharing what families should know before taking the next step. When Rob LaMarche met Casey at age 11, he was simply his client. Three years later, after a legal battle against a Florida law that prohibited gay people from adopting, Casey became his son. That fight changed the course of Rob’s life, leading him to law school and a career advocating for children and families through adoption. Today, Rob is the executive director and in-house attorney for ACF Adoptions, a nonprofit agency that has been placing babies since 1992. He’s also an adoptive parent of three, a licensed clinical social worker, and someone who understands adoption from nearly every angle. In this episode, Rob pulls back the curtain on how adoption agencies actually operate. From the real costs of running an ethical agency and why adoption expenses can vary so dramatically, to the safeguards that protect expectant parents and the red flags hopeful adoptive parents should watch for, he offers a level of transparency families don't often get. In this episode, we talk about: • How adopting Casey after a legal battle in Florida led Rob to law school and a career in adoption advocacy • Why adoption costs vary so dramatically, from expectant parent living expenses to advertising, legal fees, and agency operating costs • The ethical safeguards Rob believes every adoption professional should prioritize, including transparency, independent legal representation, and informed choice • The questions hopeful adoptive parents should ask when evaluating an agency—and why you should pay attention to how they handle failed matches • The red flags that should make you pause, from pressure to make decisions quickly to agencies that aren't transparent about fees or the adoption process • Why nonprofit versus for-profit status doesn't automatically determine whether an agency is ethical • The advice Rob gives hopeful adoptive parents about staying committed, navigating uncertainty, and not throwing in the towel About Rob: Robert LaMarche is the executive director and in-house attorney for ACF Adoptions, a private nonprofit adoption agency that has been placing babies since 1992. He is also a licensed clinical social worker and an adoptive father of three. Rob began his career in child protective services in Massachusetts before moving into adoption work, including matching and supporting pre-adoptive families. After moving to Florida, he adopted his son Casey following a legal battle challenging the state's ban on gay adoption. That experience inspired him to attend law school and pursue a career advocating for children and families. Since joining ACF Adoptions in 2011, Rob has worked across the legal and social services sides of adoption, bringing his professional experience and personal journey to the work of building families. Connect with Rob: Website: https://www.adoptionflorida.org/ LinkedIn:   / robert-lamarche-lcsw-jd-00a6346   About: https://adoptioncouncil.org/guest-con... RG Adoption Consulting Do you have an adoption "Kismet Moment" you'd like to share? Tell us the story here to be apart of my upcoming podcast episode! https://form.jotform.com/261976309097066   Website → ⁠⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠ Book a Complimentary Adoption Strategy Session → ⁠⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/cont... Get your personalized Adoption Roadmap - https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/...   Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠ RG Adoption Consulting is here to hold your hand through every step of the domestic adoption process from home study to finalization, so you never feel confused, lost, or on your own. With our proven (pinky swear) 4-step Adoption Roadmap℠, my team’s goal is to help you bring your baby home in less than one year, whether you’re…single, gay, already have kids, or are over 40.