April Adoption Program Update
April 22, 2008
For families just beginning the adoption process, we know that choosing an adoption program can be difficult. This update is a reflection of what is currently happening in all of our programs. Due to the nature of adoption, this information may change at any time, but we hope that this will help you to determine which program is best for you as you begin the adoption process.
INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION:
Adoption Associates, Inc. has been been accredited as a primary provider according to the Hague Convention standards. Our status as a primary provider is the highest level of accreditation. Please visit our news item for details.
For families just beginning the adoption process, AAI offers free in-person and phone consultations for all of our international programs. Please call 616.667.0921 for more information.
China Adoption Program:
In the Waiting Children program, we still have several referrals who have not been matched with families yet. Please call 616.667.0921 for more information.
The regular China program continues to move slowly and the process time is approximately 28 months.
Ethiopia Adoption Program:
Our Ethiopia adoption program continues to expand and is very active with new referrals and families traveling to bring their children home. Families interested in adopting older children of either gender are especially encouraged to contact us at 616.667.0921 for more information!
Haiti Adoption Program:
There is a lot of interest in adoption from Haiti. The Haiti adoption program has flexible requirements, accepts single female applicants, and is one of the least expensive international programs. The time from submission of dossier to bringing your child home is approximately two years. Families can choose from waiting children or have a child referred to them. View our waiting children page for current waiting children or call 616.667.0921 for more information.
Kazakhstan Adoption Program:
Our Kazakhstan program can be a wonderful option for families wanting to adopt. Children available can be as young as seven months and are Eurasian, Asian, or Caucasian in appearance. Married couples and single applicants are accepted for this program, although there are some eligibility requirements related to age, medical history, and prior criminal histories. Although the adoption program in Kazakhstan remains stable overall, there have been some recent delays in dossier processing at the Kazakh Embassy in Washington D.C. which may affect the overall timing of the adoption process.
Nepal Adoption Program:
Our first two Nepal adoptive families arrived home in April! Congratulations to these families. The Nepalese government is currently not accepting new applications for adoption. Families interested in adopting from Nepal are encouraged to call AAI at 616.667.0921 for more information. Children from Nepal are Asian or Indian in appearance and range in age from less than a year to six years old.
Russia Adoption Program:
Our Russia adoption program has experienced a lot of growth since we received our non-expiring license in July of 2007. The time from application to bringing your child home is approximately twelve months, however, the waiting period for girls is lengthening.
Host families are still needed for our 2008 Hosts of Hope program bringing older Russian orphans (approximately 7-12 years old) to the U.S. for several weeks this summer. Interested families from Michigan and Florida are encouraged to visit our Hosts of Hope web page and complete a host program application. To participate in this summer’s program, families must complete the preliminary application and a meeting with AAI by May 9!
Families interested in adopting children over the age of six or children with special needs are also encouraged to learn more about our Russia Waiting Children program. This program has a shorter process time and lower fees than the regular Russia program. Visit our photolisting of waiting children from Eastern Europe.
Ukraine Adoption Program:
Our Ukraine adoption program continues to grow with a lot of interest from families with special ties to Ukraine. Families interested in learning more about adopting from Ukraine are encouraged to call 616.667.0921 to speak with Larissa Koedyker, AAI’s Ukraine Program Coordinator who is also an adoptive parent from Ukraine.
Families interested in adopting children over the age of six or children with special needs are encouraged to learn more about our Ukraine Waiting Children program. This program has a shorter process time and lower fees than the regular Ukraine program. Visit our photolisting of waiting children from Eastern Europe.
DOMESTIC ADOPTION:
AAI had seven domestic placements in March, four through the Caucasian program and three through the African-American and biracial program. Currently, there are approximately 90 families waiting in the Caucasian program and approximately 30 families waiting in the African-American and biracial program.
As we work with more and more African-American women who are making adoption plans for their babies, we would love to speak with African-American and interracial couples interested in adopting. Please call Michelle at 616.667.0677 for more information.
Families who are open to international adoption are encouraged to learn more about our accredited and active Russia and Ethiopia programs. Both programs are wonderful alternatives to our domestic programs and have average process times of approximately 12 months. Please call 616.667.0921 for more information.
