March Adoption Program Update
March 18, 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 more information.
China Adoption Program:
AAI is excited to announce that we recently received a new list of special needs referrals! Families who are interested in joining our China Waiting Children program are encouraged to call for more information, visit our special needs assessment page, and review the China eligibility requirements.
The regular China program continues to move slowly and the process time is currently at 28 months. Families wanting to adopt an Asian child are encouraged to learn more about our Kazakhstan or Nepal programs where Eurasian and Asian children are available and process times are shorter.
Ethiopia Adoption Program:
Our Ethiopia adoption program continues to expand with approximately 70 families currently in the process. This program is very active with a number of families traveling this month to bring their children home. Families interested in adopting boys of all ages and older children of either gender are 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 that are available 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. Families may be able to travel to meet their potential child in as little as five to eight months after the dossier is submitted to the Kazakh government.
Nepal Adoption Program:
We are still waiting for the new adoption law in Nepal which is expected to be very positive for future adoptive families. The Nepalese government is currently not accepting new applications for adoption. Families interested in adopting from Nepal are encouraged to call AAI 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 program is very active with over 100 families currently in the process! The time from application to bringing your child home is approximately twelve months. Interested families are encouraged to call to speak with a consultant.
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.
Families interested in adopting older children or children with special needs are 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. A photolisting of waiting children from Eastern Europe is now available on our web site.
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 older children 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. A photolisting of waiting children from Eastern Europe is now available on our web site.
DOMESTIC ADOPTION:
AAI had nine placements in February, four through the Caucasian program and five through the African-American and biracial program. Our domestic infant programs have placed 22 children total in 2008. Currently, there are approximately 90 families waiting in the Caucasian program and approximately 30 families waiting in the African-American and biracial program.
Families who are open to international adoption are encouraged to consider our accredited and active Russia and Ethiopia programs. Both programs are wonderful alternatives to our domestic programs and have an average process time of approximately 12 months. Please call 616.667.0921 for more information.
