Ethiopia Adoption: US State Department Stakeholder Call 12/9/11

Ethiopia: USCIS Stakeholder Meeting on Ethiopian Adoptions

December 7, 2011

From US Citizenship and Immigration Services:

USCIS Stakeholder Meeting on Ethiopian Adoptions
As a follow up to the October 28, 2011, Ethiopian Stakeholder call, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State would like to invite you to attend a stakeholder call on Friday, December 9, 2011 to discuss USCIS’ November trip to the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa to adjudicate “not clearly approvable” adoption petitions.
After the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, identified a number of adoption petitions (Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as Immediate Relative) that it determined were not clearly approvable (NCA), and thus, must be referred to USCIS for adjudication, USCIS dispatched a team of officers to go Addis to adjudicate the petitions. USCIS and the Department of State would like to discuss the results of the NCA Team’s trip, lessons learned, and the way forward for Ethiopian adoptions.
To Participate in the Session
Any interested parties may participate in this event by telephone. All participants must respond to this invitation. Please contact the USCIS Office of Public Engagement at public.engagement@dhs.gov by Thursday, December 8, 2011 referencing “Ethiopian Adoptions” in the subject line of your email.
Please also include your full name and the organization you represent in the body of the email.

To Join the Call
On the day of the engagement please use the information below to join the session by phone. We recommend calling in 10 minutes prior to the start of the teleconference.
Call-in Number: 1-800-779-1424
Overseas Toll Number: 1-630-395-0144
Passcode: Adoption
We look forward to engaging with you!

US State Department Publishes the 2011 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption

The US State Department recently published its Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption.  This five page report is worth a look.  It contains a number of useful charts and tables. In addition to listing all the countries from which children were adopted and then brought to the US, this report also contains charts showing how long it takes to complete an adoption from each country and also what the median costs are (by country) for completing an adoption.  You can see this report by clicking on:  http://adoption.state.gov/content/pdf/fy2011_annual_report.pdf.

Finding an International Adoption Doctor

If you are considering an intercountry adoption, if you already have a referral, if you are in-country and facing a medical issue with your new child, or if you are back home and your child is facing health or developmental concerns you may need to consult with a doctor who specializes in international adoptions.  An international adoption doctor can help you review the medical records you receive as part of your referral.  They can also help you if your new child presents with unexpected symptoms or health issues while you are in-country completing your adoption.  Finally, an international adoption doctor can help treat your child once you return home.  Usually, international adoption doctors are also well-versed in medical issues that may be more prevalent amongst internationally adopted children -- issues related to tropical medicine, attachment, developmental delays, etc.  The Parents for Ethical Adoption Reform (PEAR) has created a database organized by state of international adoption clinics and doctors.  PEAR updates this list quarterly.  Check it out!!   http://www.pear-now.org/PEAR_IA_Doctor_E-Directory.pdf
   

Russian Adoption News

Russia Adoption News – Possible Training Requirements for Prospective Adoptive Parents and New Bilateral Adoption Agreements with Five European Countries:

According to a November 17, 2011 article published by the Russian International News Agency (RIA Novosti), the lower house of the Russian parliament recently passed a law requiring special training for those who want to adopt Russian children.  In particular, this article noted:  

The lower house of Russian Parliament, the State Duma, adopted on Thursday a law that prescribes couples who want to adopt Russian children to undergo special training in the basics of teaching, psychology and first aid.

The law says that “the implementation of the parental classes is based on the necessity to provide citizens’ pedagogical and legal readiness for accepting abandoned children into their families.”

The aspiring parents will have to pass parental classes, including basics of teaching, psychology and first aid, vice-speaker Oleg Morozov said.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called for the introduction of parental classes for Russians and foreigners who adopt Russian children in July, 2011, after the outrageous story with an eight-year-old named Artyom adopted by American Torry Hansen and then shipped back to Moscow on a plane, alone and with a note citing Artyom’s psychological problems.

According to the Russian Education and Science Ministry, about 150,000 children were available for nationwide adoption in 2009. Almost 9,000 of them were adopted and 77,000 were placed in foster families.  U.S. citizens have adopted 60,000 Russian children since the adoptions started more than 15 years ago. As of January, 17 Russian children adopted by U.S. parents have died as a result of child abuse.

In a separate article dated November 14, 2011, RIA Novosti noted that it will sign bilateral child adoption agreements with France, UK, Holland, Spain, and Germany.  The text of this short article is below:

Russia plans to sign bilateral agreements on child adoption with France, the U.K., Holland, Spain and Germany, the country's ombudsman for children's rights, Pavel Astakhov, said on Monday.

“The agreement between Russia and France is ready to be signed...and hopefully will be signed on November 18. Agreements with the UK, Holland, Spain and Germany are being worked on,” Astakhov said.

He added that the international child adoptions should be carried only on the basis of bilateral agreements. “If we do not sign bilateral agreements, we should stop child adoption processes with these countries.”

Astakhov said that he still wanted Russian children to stay in Russia. “It is a shame that we export oil, gas and children,” Astakhov went on.

The first bilateral agreement on child adaption between Russia and Italy was signed in 2008. Russia and the U.S. signed an agreement in July 2011 in Washington. At the end of October, Russia finalized an agreement on child adoption with France. Talks on the same deals are being held with Ireland and Israel.

Ireland Will Resume Adoptions From Vietnam

On November 11, 2011, the Irish Times published the article set forth below which indicates Irish citizens may soon be able to again adopt from Ireland thanks to Vietnam's ratificaiton of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption: 

The Irish Times - Friday, November 11, 2011

Irish adoptions from Vietnam to resume

CAROL COULTER, Legal Affairs Editor

VIETNAM HAS ratified the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, allowing Irish couples to adopt children from the country once more. The ratification will come into force on February 1st.
Until 2009, adoptions into Ireland from Vietnam took place under a bilateral agreement between the two countries.

Following controversy concerning adoptions out of Vietnam, the agreement lapsed in May 2009, when adoptions were suspended. Meanwhile, Ireland passed the Adoption Act ratifying the Hague Convention which sets standards for intercountry adoption.

This meant that only children from other Hague convention countries, or those with which there was a bilateral agreement, could be adopted into Ireland.

Following the concerns about its adoptions process, Vietnam undertook to introduce changes to its procedures to enable it to ratify the convention. Contacts continued between the Irish and Vietnamese governments, stressing the desire of the Irish Government to see the situation resolved and adoptions resumed.

Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald has welcomed Vietnam’s decision to ratify the convention.
“Last month I met the Vietnamese ambassador to Ireland, Mr Vu Quang Minh,” Ms Fitzgerald said, “and I impressed upon the ambassador Ireland’s wish to continue to see Vietnam as a country of choice for adoption for prospective Irish adoptive parents.

“The Vietnamese authorities have worked assiduously over recent months in preparing to ratify the Hague Convention and to develop an adoption process that supports safe and secure domestic and inter-country adoptions.

“The necessary diplomatic engagements will continue between Ireland and Vietnam to ensure these final steps are now taken and I have already arranged to again meet the Vietnamese ambassador to Ireland before the end of the month,” she added.

Adoption Nutrition

Nutrition and Adoption

Adopted children – especially those adopted outside the United States – often do not receive enough food or proper nutrition during their time spent in an orphanage or foster care placement.  Food in many overseas orphanages is bland and mushy and the menu can be repetitive.  Sometimes, institutionalized children will not be exposed to fresh fruits and vegetables at all.  Also, institutions frequently take shortcuts in order to ensure all the children get fed.  For example, caretakers frequently enlarge the holes in bottle nipples so the children can eat more quickly.  Caretakers have also been known to keep children on a bottle well after the age of one because it is easier to ensure the children get fed.

These and many other features of institutionalized living can create growth, feeding, and behavioral issues in adopted children.  For example, an adopted child may hoard food and gorge on food at meal times.  An adopted child may also refuse to eat anything but formula from a bottle, may choke easily, may not know how to chew, and may not even be able to swallow anything other than liquids.  Because of their living situations prior to adoption, some children may even be malnourished.

It is common for adoptive parents to want to compensate for their child’s potentially poor nutritional start in life by immediately feeding them a varied diet of healthy foods.  This, however, can be very difficult for an adopted child to handle – especially if they are suffering from under-developed facial muscles that can make chewing and swallowing difficult if not impossible.  Even if a child can chew and swallow properly, texture and taste issues or an unfamiliar method of feeding can cause lots of stress at meal time. 

If you are facing any nutrition or feeding issues or if you are in the process of completing an intercountry adoption and you want to learn more about the issues you and your child may be facing, please consider visiting two websites dedicated to helping families learn about and work through these types of issues:

-         Adoption Nutrition (http://adoptionnutrition.org/)

-         Spoon Foundation (http://spoonfoundation.org/)

Vietnam Ratifies the Hague Adoption Convention

The notice below appeared this month on the State Department's website at http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_alerts_notices.php?alert_notice_type=notices&alert_notice_file=vietnam_3.  This appears to be one of the necessary steps Vietnam must take along its path towards once again participating in the inter-country adoption process.  

Vietnam

November 2011

Notice: Vietnam ratifies the Hague Adoption Convention

The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption will enter into force in Vietnam on February 1, 2012, following Vietnam's ratification on November 1, 2011.

The United States recognizes Vietnam's initiatives leading to this significant development and applauds the Government of Vietnam's renewed commitment to strengthen its child welfare system and the integrity of its domestic and international adoption process. We continue to caution adoption service providers and prospective adoptive parents that, to ensure that adoptions from Vietnam can be compliant with the Convention, important steps must still take place before intercountry adoptions between the United States and Vietnam resume. We further caution adoption service providers against initiating, or claiming to initiate, adoption programs in Vietnam until they receive authorization from the Government of Vietnam.

The Department of State will provide updated information on http://adoption.state.gov/index.php as it becomes available. If you have any further questions about this notice, please contact the Office of Children's Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States.

Taiwan May Soon Change Its Adoption Laws and Process

Set forth below is a recent article published in The China Post.  It appears Taiwan will soon no longer allow intercountry adoptions to proceed through the courts: 

Updated Thursday, November 10, 2011 1:11 am TWN, The China Post news staff

Government expected to pass strict laws regarding adoption of children

The China Post news staff--The Legislature is expected to pass a law tomorrow to impose stricter regulations on child adoption, a newspaper reported yesterday.  The proposed revisions to the child welfare law address concerns over buying and possible human trafficking arising from Taiwan's lax regulations, the United Evening News reported.   Currently, adoption can be processed in two ways: one through government-approved organizations and the other through the courts.

 

It is the court process that has been problematic, the paper said. Any parties can work out a deal for “selling” a child in the form of adoption and then seek the court's approval without needing to conduct any assessments.  If the proposed changes are implemented, the adoption of children can only be handled by government-approved organizations, unless the children are adopted by their relatives, the paper said.

 

According to the proposal, organizations will have to conduct family visits and assessments after receiving adoption applications.   Taiwan citizens will have the priority to adopt children over foreigners.  The government will also have to set out clear fees for handling adoptions, including the costs of assessments and paper translations services.  Any person found to be illegally arranging adoptions could be fined a maximum of NT$300,000.  Currently, there are go-betweens who arrange adoptions. They may charge as much as NT$300,000 for each case, the paper said.

 

Child welfare groups lauded the proposed changes, which are expected to pass their third reading at the Legislature tomorrow, according to the newspaper.  They said children will be given more protection and stand much better chances of being adopted by good parents. The selling of children and unsupervised adoptions will be rooted out, they said.

 

The changes may deter some families from adopting children because they may think it too tedious to go through the strictly monitored process, the welfare groups said.  But it is the right direction in the long run, and conforms to the international trend, the welfare groups were cited as saying.  The paper said the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) supports the proposed changes that will make the adoption process more transparent, as U.S. citizens have adopted many children from Taiwan.

 

Last year, almost 400 children from Taiwan found their adopted families in other countries, and 285 of them were adopted by U.S. parents, the paper said.

Current status for Americans hoping to adopt from Cambodia

In 2002, the US State Department decided it would no longer allow American citizens to adopt from Cambodia due to concerns about the integrity of the adoption process.  Since this suspension on adoptions from Cambodia by American citizens first took effect, most families then in the process of adopting from Cambodia were allowed to complete their adoptions.  However, no new adoption cases were allowed.  According to http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=cambodia, the last intercountry adoption of a Cambodian child by an American citizen took place in 2006.   

Now, however, Cambodia is a Hague Adoption Convention Country and it continues to develop and implement a child welfare system.   After this lengthy suspension on adoption from Cambodia, it appears adoptions may resume at some point in 2012.  Set forth below is the most recent update on the status of Cambodian adoptions by American citizens. 

Cambodia

June 6, 2011

Notice: Update of status of adoptions in Cambodia

The Office of Children's Issues wishes to provide a further update for American Citizens interested in intercountry adoptions with Cambodia. Although Cambodia is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, they are still working to establish the necessary internal child welfare structures to function as a Hague partner.
The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation recently announced to all embassies with diplomatic and consular missions in Cambodia that the Cambodian Government has decided to delay the date that it will begin receiving adoption petitions until April 1, 2012. The delay provides additional time for Cambodia to implement all necessary prakas (regulations), add staff, and complete training necessary to meeting its obligations under the Hague Adoption Convention.
The Special Advisor for Children's Issues, Ambassador Susan Jacobs met with Cambodian officials in March 2011, and explained what protections must be in place from the U.S. perspective before we will be able to resume adoptions between our two countries. She also encouraged the Cambodian Government to finalize and implement procedures that will enable Cambodia to operate as a Hague Convention partner country.
The United States continues to support Cambodia's efforts to create a child welfare system and an intercountry adoption process that fulfills its obligations under the Hague Adoption Convention. We welcome Cambodia's efforts to fully implement its new law on intercountry adoption.
Updated information will be provided on http://adoption.state.gov/ as it becomes available.

Educational Resources for Kids from Ethiopia

If you have adopted from Ethiopia, you may be looking for books, music, and everyday items (like placemats) to connect your child with their Ethiopian heritage.  Please consider checking out Abshiro Kids (http://www.abshirokids.com/home.php). This website offers a wide variety of items designed to help your child learn Amharic and about Ethiopian culture.    

Travel -- Singapore Air is offering great fares to Asia through March 2012

I opened my work email this morning and, among other things, saw an email from Singapore Airlines offering great fares out of JFK to Singapore and numerous other Asian destinations for just $888 to $999.  The fares are good through the end of March 2012 although they must be purchased by 11/7/2011.  I don't know if you've been looking around for airfare to Asia, but if you have, this is probably cheaper than what you have found other airlines are currently offering.  If you are interested, you should check out Singapore Air's website at http://www.singaporeair.com/.

Update on Vietnam's Adoption Reform

Below is a recent release from the US Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam concerning the current status of  Vietnam's ongoing adoption reform.  Please keep in mind, though, that citizens of other countries may currently be able to adopt from Vietnam.  For example, citizens of the UK may be able to adopt from Vietnam (http://ukinvietnam.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-vietnam/adoption-from-vietnam).     

September 27, 2011
From The Embassy of the United States, Hanoi, Vietnam:

General Information
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Adoptions between the United States and Vietnam expired on September 1, 2008. Intercountry adoption from Vietnam to the U.S. is not possible at this time, including exceptional cases. 
Vietnam Adoption Reform
Vietnam has made immense progress on adoption reform over the last 2 years.  In June 2010, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed a new adoption law which took effect on January 1, 2011. The Vietnamese Prime Minister subsequently signed the new adoption decree on March 21 and it took effect on May 8. The Ministry of Justice issued Circular 12/2011/TT-BTP on Promulgation and Usage of Adoption Forms on June 27, 2011 and plans to introduce a new Circular on Management of foreign Adoption Service Providers in the near future.
Currently, Vietnam continues their efforts to implement the new law and achieve Vietnam’s stated goal of ratifying the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Hague Adoption Convention).
Vietnam signed the Hague Adoption Convention on December 7, 2010 and is in the process of depositing its ratification instrument.  It is expected that the Convention would enter into force (and Vietnam would become a party) in the near future. Under U.S. law, if/when Vietnam becomes a party to the Convention, the United States Central Authority (USCA) must evaluate whether procedures leading to the adoption of a child in Vietnam conform to the standards established by the Convention and the U.S. Intercountry Adoption Act (IAA).  At this time it is not possible to estimate when adoptions between the United States and Vietnam may resume.
Updated information will be provided on http://adoption.state.gov/ as it becomes available.

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Update on Orphanage Closures in Ethiopia

Below is a notice recently released by the US Department of State confirming and clarifying the Ethiopian government's closure of several orphanages:

Ethiopia

October 17, 2011

Notice: Confirmation of Orphanage Closures in Ethiopia

Ethiopian government officials confirmed the closure of several orphanages in the Southern Nations state due to revocation of the orphanages' operational licenses. Each orphanage in Ethiopia receives an operational license that the Charities and Societies Administration administers and monitors to ensure compliance with Ethiopian regulations. This is an update to the previous Adoption Notice posted on August 3, 2011.
These orphanages are:

• SOS Infants Ethiopia (Arbaminch, Dila and Awassa branches)
• Gelgella Integrated Orphans (Tercha and Durame branches)
• Bethzatha Children's Home Association (Sodo, Hosaena, Dila, Haidya, Durame, and Hawassa branches)
• Ethio Vision Development and Charities (Dila and Hawassa branches)
• Special Mission for Community Based Development (Hosaina branch)
• Enat Alem Orphanage (Awassa branch)
• Initiative Ethiopia Child and Family Support (Hawassa branch)
• Resurrection Orphanage (Hosaina branch)
• Musie Children's Home Association (Hadiya, Hosaina, Dila, and Kenbata branches)
• Organization for Gold Age (Kucha, Dila, Hawassa branches)
• Hidota Children's Home Association (Soto branch)
• Biruh Alem Lehisanat, Lenatochina Aregawiyan (Hosaina branch)

According to officials in the Charities and Societies Agency office, which oversees the licensing and regulation of orphanages in Ethiopia, the children in the care of those facilities have already been transferred to other orphanages.
Ethiopian officials indicate that cases involving orphaned children from these facilities which are already pending with the Federal First Instance court will continue to move forward. The Embassy in Addis Ababa is working closely with Ethiopian officials to determine if children from these facilities who had been previously referred for matches will be allowed to continue in the adoption process. Regional officials have confirmed that the affected children's case files are currently being reviewed on a case by case basis by regional Ministry of Women's Affairs offices.
We continue to ask prospective adoptive parents and agencies that are hearing news of specific closures to inform the Department. Please send any specific information regarding orphanage closures to AskCI@state.gov with the subject line "Ethiopia Orphanage Closures."
Prospective and adoptive parents are encouraged to remain in contact with their adoption service provider to stay up-to-date on any information pertinent to their individual case. The Department will post any confirmation on http://adoption.state.gov/ as we receive it.

Yahoo Adoption Groups

One of the best ways to research an adoption is to reach out to others who have already been through the process or are also in the midst of the process.  I found Yahoo groups devoted to adopting from Cambodia and China to be incredibly helpful before, during, and after my adoptions.  In addition to providing invaluable "real time" information about the adoption process, these groups also serve as wonderful post-adoption resources.  The China adoption groups I belong to, for example, not only discuss the China adoption process but also a number of post-adoption and parenting topics like talking about adoption with your child.  Set forth below is a list of some of the more popular Yahoo adoption groups.  Please feel free to add to this list!

Adoption Agency Research Group:   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Adoption_Agency_Research/

Adoption Parenting: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/adoptionparenting/

Adopting Cleft-Affected Kids: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/adoptcleft/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=16

Deaf/HOH Adoption: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DeafHOH-Adoption/

International Adopt Talk: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/International-Adopt-Talk/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=35

Azerbaijan Adopt: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/azerbaijanadopt/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=60

Bulgarian Adoption Information Center: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/Bulgarian_Adoption-InformationCenter/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=105

Cambodian Adoptions: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CambodianAdoptions/

Adoptive Parents China: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/a-parents-china/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=1

Post-Adopt-China: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/post-adopt-china/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=4

Raising China Children: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/RaisingChinaChildren/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=7

Waiting Children China: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/WaitingChildrenChina/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=9

Raising China Children: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/RaisingChinaChildren/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=7

Ask Jane in China: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/askjaneinchina/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=12

Adopt Colombia: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/adoptColombia/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=38

Ethiopia Adopt: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EthiopiaAdopt/

Adopt Ghana: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/adoptghana/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=67

Adopting from Ghana: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/adoptingfromGhana/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=109

Guatemalan Adoptions: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/Guatemalan_Adoptions/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=10

Haitian Angels: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/HaitianAngels/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=23

Honduras Adoption: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/HondurasAdoption/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=126

I Child India: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/ichild/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=1

Kazakhstan Adoption: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Kazakhstan_Adoption/

Pakistan Adoption: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/pakistanadoption/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=42

Adopt Philippines USA: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/adopt-philippines-usa/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=56

Russian Adoption: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Russian_Adoption/

Adopt Rwanda:  http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/AdoptRwanda/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=74

Adopting from Taiwan: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/Adopting_From_Taiwan/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=20

Thailand Adopt: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/thailandadopt/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=64

Uganda Adoptions: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Uganda_Adoptions/

Adoption from Ukraine:  http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/Adoption_from_Ukraine/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=11

Adoptive Parents of Vietnam: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/A-Parents-Vietnam/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=13        

My Decision to Adopt

I’ve already written a little about the adoption process in this blog but I realized the other day that I had not yet tackled one of the most important topics – the decision to adopt.  My informal research gathered over about ten years of talking with people who are considering adoption, in the midst of the adoption process, or already parents suggests that each person comes to their own decision to adopt in their own way.  There is no cookie-cutter definition of who adopts, how, or why.  Rather, each family or prospective family has their own unique tale to tell.

Thinking back, my decision to adopt probably took root in the mid-1980’s when I was living and working in Japan after graduating from college.  During that time, I periodically transited through the Tokyo airport.  I distinctly remember seeing young Korean children in the international terminal at Narita each time I passed through that airport.  One time, I came upon a crowd of passengers gathered around a group of Korean infants who were lying on several padded benches that had been pushed together.  As I approached to see what everyone was looking at, all of a sudden, the crowd began to clap.  It turned out, one of the Korean infants had just rolled over on that airport bench for the first time.

Several times, I flew on a Northwest airlines flight from Tokyo via Seattle and Minneapolis to Philadelphia.  Also on these flights were young Korean children on their way to the US for adoption.  The first time I saw this process in action was after we landed in Seattle.  I was amazed when a bunch of American men and women hopped on the plane to take the children off, feed, change, and bathe them, and then return them to the plane for their flight onward.  In Seattle that first time, I also saw several waiting families -- families who were adopting some of those Korean children.  When we landed in Minneapolis, I was astonished to see this same process occur again.  There was a whole network of volunteers across the US who met each flight carrying children headed to the US for adoption. 

I found the whole process incredibly moving and amazing.  I could barely comprehend what I had seen that first trip home from Japan.  I could not get it out of my head.  It was like being in the delivery room – families were created before my eyes.  More unbelievable for me, though, was the idea that complete strangers from different countries and cultures trusted in a process involving two governments, unknown bureaucrats, and two sets of laws and regulations to get it right and help them build a family.

Astonishing as this all was, I eventually returned from Japan, went to graduate school and began the rest of my life.  For years, I did not consider adopting.  I simply was not ready to have children.  Fast forward a number of years and there it was – the ubiquitous ticking maternal clock getting louder and louder.  To further complicate matters, I did not have a husband or even a serious boyfriend. 

After much soul-searching and a couple of false starts, I eventually decided to move ahead with the adoption process.  I can not really explain my decision to adopt or why I chose to adopt rather than pursue other methods of having a child other than to say it just felt right.  It was sort of like when I was in my senior year of high school and visiting colleges or many years later when I was looking to buy a house and traipsing about my town looking at every three bedroom two bath house that was for sale.  The college and the house selection processes were fairly similar – and I received lots of advice.  Folks said things like “you’ll just know it when you see it” or “it will just feel right in your gut when you see it”.

It may seem funny or even a bit trite…..but that is how I felt when I finally decided to adopt.  I was at complete peace with my decision.  I just knew this was the way for me to proceed.  Nine years ago – almost to the day, I became a mother.  Fortunately, I experienced this joy again just over three years ago.

Despite my own highly positive experiences with the intercountry adoption process, I would not try to sway anyone towards adoption.  This is a decision each person needs to come to on their own or as a couple.  Sometimes people need to grieve for the children they will never bear or to grapple with the idea of becoming a multi-racial family.  Sometimes, like me, a person just needs to finally be ready to have a child in their life.  For me, adopting was the best decision I ever made.    

Intercountry Adoption Simplified

I've talked with many prospective adoptive parents who are completely mystified by the intercountry adoption process.  This is certainly understandable given that intercountry adoption, by definition, involves the laws, regulations, and procedures followed in two different countries.  I thought it might be helpful to lay out a barebones list of the procedural steps virtually every family will follow as they make their way through an intercountry adoption.  Hopefully, this list will calm some nerves and encourage more families to embark upon an interocuntry adoption!  Please note, however, that this list directly pertains to intercountry adoptions pursued by those in the US.  If you live outside the US you will likely have similar set of steps to take.

·        First, you will have several important decisions to make – which adoption agency to use and which intercountry adoption program to pursue

·        Next, you will need to obtain official approval to adopt from both the US and the country from which you intend to adopt

·        Once you are approved to adopt, you can be matched with a child

·        Then, you adopt the child – usually this involves at least one trip to your child’s country

·        While in your child’s country, you will apply for and obtain a visa so that your new child can legally enter the US

·        After you have your child’s visa you can return home with your new child

·        Once home, it is advisable to readopt your child in your home state

How to Select an Adoption Agency

Many prospective adoptive parents find it difficult to figure out which adoption agency they should use.  This is certainly understandable as there are over 1700 adoption agencies in the US.  Of those, about 700 offer intercountry (international) adoption services.  It can be overwhelming to weed through all these agencies and find the one that is best for your family.  Truth be told, though, this is one of the most important decisions you will make during the adoption process.

Although the search for the right adoption agency can take some time and effort, you will most likely find this to be time well spent.  The goal is to find a reputable and ethical adoption agency with specific experience in the type of adoption you wish to pursue. 

If you decide to adopt a child from another country, you will need to identify an agency with a highly-regarded and recent history of successfully completing adoptions from the country from which you hope to adopt.  As there are two basic ways to proceed with an international adoption: (1) adopt from a country that utilizes the Hague Convention process; and (2)  adopt from a  country that does not follow the Hague Convention process, you will need to ensure your agency is appropriately licensed if you choose to adopt from a Hague Convention compliant country.  (In other words, if you plan to adopt form a country that abides by the Hague Convention then you will need to use an agency that is appropriately licensed as the Hague Convention.  Each country has its own set of adoption rules and procedures.  You will need an agency that is intimately familiar with the specific rules and procedures of the country you choose.  You will also need an agency with a relatively longstanding presence on the ground in the country from which you will adopt. 

Whether you choose to pursue a domestic or an intercountry adoption, however, most excellent adoption agencies have similar characteristics. 

1.                          They emphasize and offer pre-adoption education for prospective adoptive parents.   

2.                          They offer a realistic assessment of your prospective child and do not gloss over potential red flags.                  

3.                          They offer post-adoption services to families once the adoption process is complete. 

4.                          For families who complete intercountry adoptions, an excellent agency promptly and proactively ensures that all post-adoption reports are prepared and filed in a timely fashion.

5.                          An agency with intercountry adoption programs will be accredited as per the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption (81 countries are now Hague Convention countries).  You can check to see if the country from which you hope to adopt is a Hague Convention country at this website:  http://adoption.state.gov/hague_convention/countries.php.

6.                           They do not try to “sell” you on a particular country, program, or child.

7.                          They will try to help gather as much medical and other information on the child as is available.  They usually can obtain updated medical information on a child if you ask for it.

8.                          In the case of a domestic adoption, they will not pressure a birthmother into giving a child up for adoption.

9.                          They consistently have the best interests of the child as their primary concern. 

10.                      In the case of agencies with intercountry adoption programs, they also usually operate humanitarian efforts within the countries where they conduct adoptions.

11.                      Similarly, most reputable intercountry agencies not only seek to find homes for easily adoptable children (healthy infants) but also those children who may be harder to place (older children, special needs, etc.).

You may now be wondering where to start your adoption agency search.  The easiest place to begin is by searching on the Internet.  On the Internet, you can easily locate adoption agencies in your area and adoption agencies that specialize in the type of adoption you wish to pursue.  In particular, you can go to the US Department of Health & Human Services Child Welfare Information Gateway to search for adoption agencies that suit your specific criteria (http://www.childwelfare.gov/nfcad/).       

It is important to keep in mind, however, that the Internet is also ripe with a fair amount of adoption fraud.  You must be a savvy consumer!  It is wise to check any agency you are considering with your state attorney general and the Better Business Bureau.  This should uncover any complaints filed against the agency.  You should also confirm that any agency you might use is appropriately licensed and credentialed.  Additionally, ask any adoption agency you are considering for some recent references and then follow through and contact these references.  Many adoption agencies also offer monthly or quarterly informational meetings.  It is important to attend several of these in order to gain a good sense of the agencies you are considering and also to possibly meet other families who are using or have used these agencies already. 

Set forth below are links to several adoption agencies with excellent national reputations.  There are many wonderful adoption agencies out there and this is just a representative list.   Even if you do not plan to use any of these agencies, it is still well worth your time to at least peruse their websites.  Additionally, please review this link to the US Department of State as it lists all US adoption agencies that are specially accredited pursuant to the Hague Convention and contains links to all their websites:  http://adoption.state.gov/hague_convention/agency_accreditation/agency_search.php

-         World Association for Children and Parents (http://wacap.org/)

-          Holt International (http://www.holtinternational.org/)

-          Lutheran Adoption and Foster Care Alliance (http://www.lanadopt.org/)

-         Gladney Center for Adoption (http://adoptionsbygladney.com/)

-         Americans for International Aid and Adoption (http://www.aiaaadopt.org/)

-         Great Wall China Adoption (http://www.gwca.org/)

-         Pearl S. Buck International (http://www.psbi.org/)

The Homestudy Process -- Not as bad as you may think!

No matter whether you choose to pursue a domestic or an international adoption (or even an embryo adoption), one of the first major tasks you will need to accomplish is to complete the homestudy process.  Essentially, a homestudy is a report prepared by your social worker that covers a variety of topics including your family and home life, your upbringing, your health and finances, your feelings about adoption, and your community environment.  As part of the homestudy process, your social worker will visit your home at least once but usually several times.  These visits will not only include a review of your home and community but also extensive interviews about your own upbringing and your immediate and extended family.  You will be asked a number of questions about your belief system, your parenting style and how you were raised.  If you already have children, they may be asked to prepare a written statement about your family and their feelings about adoption or they may be interviewed by your social worker.  Your social worker will also ask for written references from several of your friends and family members.    

In advance of the homestudy meetings with your social worker, you will probably be asked to prepare an autobiographical statement and may also need to complete an in- depth questionnaire.  Additionally, you will need to have a physical exam that may include various medical tests and you will need to obtain a criminal and child abuse clearance from your state and local police. 

The contents of your homestudy will vary slightly depending upon which adoption program you are pursuing.  For example, if you choose to adopt internationally, different countries have slightly different homestudy requirements and criteria.   

Because the homestudy is such an involved process and includes the gathering of a variety of documents that may take a while to accumulate (birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, criminal and child abuse clearances, medical forms, tax returns, medical test results, doctor’s statements, references, etc.) it is wise to begin your homestudy as soon as possible.  You will not be able to proceed along the path to an adoption without a valid homestudy.  It is also important to keep in mind that homestudies are only valid for a certain period of time – usually twelve months.  If you already have a homestudy but it has expired, you will need to get it updated before you can proceed with an adoption.   

Adoption -- The Basics

There are several different ways a new child can come into your family via adoption.  Some families choose to adopt a child from another country (international adoption).  Other families choose to adopt a child currently living within their own country (domestic adoption). 

In the United States, there are two types of domestic adoption agencies – public and private.  Public adoption agencies are often operated by a county or state and their primary goal is to find homes for children who are in the care of the county or state.  Usually, public agencies place waiting children who are in the foster care system with adoptive families.  As you would expect, public agencies generally do not operate international adoption programs.    Private adoption agencies are privately owned and operated enterprises although they must be licensed by the state(s) where they reside and conduct business.  Many states also require private adoption agencies to operate as not-for-profit entities.  Usually, private adoption agencies primarily focus on placing infants with adoptive families.  Private adoption agencies often operate both domestic and international adoption programs.

If you are interested in learning more about adoption agencies in your area, please consider visiting the National Foster Care & Adoption Directory Search page on the US Department of Health & Human Services website -- http://www.childwelfare.gov/nfcad/.  This website is an invaluable resource as you can use it to search for public and/or private adoption agencies with domestic and/or international adoption programs on a state by state basis.  It is important to keep in mind, however, that you are not limited to working with an adoption agency in the state where you reside.  Thus, if you find an agency that feels right to you but is not located near you do not automatically assume you can not work with them.

Another wonderful resource, particularly for those interested in international adoption, is the website for the Joint Council on International Children’s Services (“JCICS”) -- http://www.jointcouncil.org/.  This not-for-profit organization operates in 52 countries around the world, including the US.  Its mission is to “advocate for, and protect the right of every child to a safe, permanent, and loving family.”  Many adoption agencies with international programs are members of JCICS.  The JCICS website contains a plethora of information, including the particular requirements for international adoption programs across the globe.  You can also use this website to research which countries offer international adoption programs and then, more specifically, which adoption agencies specialize in each country offering an international adoption program. 
 
As I see it, when you first start upon the path toward adoption, you need to investigate which adoption program(s) might work best for your family.  My advice is to keep a wide open mind when you are in this initial stage of researching.  There are many misconceptions about various adoption programs and the process is quite fluid – especially if you end up venturing down the international adoption path.  At all times, flexibility is critically important as there are many unpredictable but inevitable bumps along the road.  Perseverance is also necessary.

The inaugural post!

Here it is………drum roll please…..the inaugural post!  I’ve thought for a long time about blogging and mostly whether I had anything at all relevant or mildly interesting to add to all the blogs already out there in cyberspace.  After some soul searching, I decided to plough ahead.  As I see it, this blog will primarily focus on one of my favorite things (other than my children of course!) – adoption. 

I adopted my older child from Cambodia in 2002, when she was just about nine months old.  At first, the adoption proceeded along smoothly; that is until the US government decided to shut down all adoptions from Cambodia to the US.  This proved to be a bit of a problem for me as I was just about a month away from finalizing my daughter’s adoption when this “issue” arose.  Although everything worked out well in the end, I endured several scary and frustrating months.  And, my daughter spent a few extra months in an orphanage instead of being at home with her family.

I adopted my second child from China in 2008.  Unfortunately, this adoption also had plenty of drama thanks to the massive and unexpected slowdown in adoption referrals from China.  Although this adoption took much longer than originally anticipated, the end result was worth infinitely more than the seemingly never-ending wait. 

Ever since I first embarked upon my adoption journey over ten years ago, numerous people have approached me to ask about adoption.  Who knew there were so many folks out there considering adoption? 

When I first seriously entertained the idea of adoption, I started to research my options.  I usually approach a research project “full steam ahead” and, of course, my adoption research project was no different!  I was shocked to find, however, that there was no comprehensive and reliable source of adoption information.  Rather, I found myself visiting numerous websites and basically hopscotching all over the place trying to figure out answers to basic and simple questions like which countries will allow a single woman to adopt? 

The second time around, I again conducted a fair amount of research before proceeding.  As before, I found a highly disjointed system.  It was not easy to figure out how to move ahead and I’d already been through the process once before.  Since that time, I have met with numerous families and individuals to talk about the adoption process.  Each and every time without exception, I met with highly motivated prospective parents who were confused about how to move forward and who did not know where to turn for reliable information about adoption. 

I guess this is a very long introduction to my blog which I hope will become a reliable, useful, and comprehensive source of adoption information for all those people out there who hope to build their families through adoption.