June Adoption Program Update
June 11, 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:
China Adoption Program
Our China program continues to grow despite the lengthening waiting time. Currently, the process time for the regular program is approximately 30 months from submission of dossier to referral. Families who are open to a longer waiting time or adopting through the China Waiting Children program are encouraged to apply. Call 616.667.0921 for more information on the China or China Waiting Children adoption programs.
AAI is also looking for families to participate in our China Camp program. These families will travel to Beijing in October of 2008 to meet a group of 30 older and special needs orphans while participating in a camp program. Additionally, we are seeking sponsorship funds of $1,000 per child to attend China Camp.* For more information on China Camp, please call 616.667.0921.
Ethiopia Adoption Program
Our accredited and active Ethiopia adoption program continues to grow with over 70 families in the program! Families who are open to adopting toddler age and older children are encouraged to apply. The average process time is approximately 12 to 16 months from application to bringing your child home. Call 616.667.0921 for more information on the Ethiopia adoption program.
Haiti Adoption Program
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, however, you can visit your child as often as you like while you wait. Children from Haiti are infant age and older. For more information on the Haiti adoption program, please call 616.667.0921.
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. Please call 616.667.0921 for more information on the Kazakhstan adoption program.
Nepal Adoption Program
Now is an exciting time for our Nepal program. In addition to having our first three families arrive home in April and a delegation of officials from Nepal visit AAI in May, the new adoption law in Nepal has passed and we expect Nepal to begin accepting new dossiers soon. For more information on the Nepal adoption program, please call 616.667.0921. Children from Nepal are of Asian or Indian descent and range in age from one to six years old.
Russia Adoption Program
Our Russia program continues to be very active, and AAI families welcomed home twelve children in May, including a sibling group of four! Families open to adopting children who are age two and older are especially encouraged to apply. AAI’s Russia program received a permanent, non-expiring license in 2007, and we have been placing children from Russia since 1994. For more information on our Russia adoption program or our Russia Waiting Children program, please call 616.667.0921.
We are also very pleased to announce that seven Russian children will be traveling to stay with five host families in Michigan through our Hosts of Hope program this summer. We look forward to their visit!
Ukraine Adoption Program
We have several families in the process of adopting from Ukraine, and families interested in adopting children age two and older are encouraged to apply. Our Ukraine Waiting Children program has had a lot of interest. Families interested in adopting older children or children of all ages with special needs are encouraged to visit our Eastern Europe waiting children photolisting. Call 616.667.0921 for more information on AAI’s Ukraine adoption program or the Ukraine Waiting Children program.
DOMESTIC ADOPTION:
AAI had six domestic placements in May, three 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.
AAI continues to work with more and more African-American women who are making adoption plans for their babies. While many of these babies are being placed into Caucasian families, increasingly, these women are requesting that African-American and interracial couples parent the children. Families interested in adopting African-American and biracial children are urged to apply. Call 616.667.0677 for more information.
*NOTE: If you are a family currently in the process of adopting or in post adoption supervision through AAI, donation and sponsorship opportunities are for informational purposes only.
