November 2008 Adoption Program Update
November 14, 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:
Learn more about an international adoption fee reduction available to families signing up between September 1, 2008 and November 30, 2008! In addition, a $100 fee reduction certificate is available to families attending an AAI or HFC information meeting in November.
China Adoption Program & China Waiting Children Program
The process time for the Waiting Children program is currently approximately five to six months from being matched with a child to bringing your child home. We currently have several agency-assigned referrals that are not linked with families. View the Waiting Children photolisting. Families who have not signed up but are interested in the Waiting Children program are encouraged to apply and begin the process as paperwork-ready families are able to select from either the agency-assigned or shared-agency referral listings.
The regular China program is still moving slowly and is currently at 34 months from dossier submission to referral.
Colombia Adoption Program
There continues to be a lot of interest in the Colombia program! Traditionally a very stable adoption process, Colombia can be a wonderful choice for adoptive families. Children range in age from less than a year up to school age. Uniquely, Colombian born applicant’s cases are expedited. The processing time for Colombian born applicants is under one year. For non-Colombian born applicants, the wait time can be up to three years. Married couples and single applicants are accepted for this program, although there are some eligibility requirements related to age, medical background, and prior criminal histories.
Ethiopia Adoption Program
Our Ethiopia program continues to grow and we received a number of referrals of children in the past several weeks. Families who are open to children ages thirty-six months and older or preschool-age and older sibling groups are especially encouraged to apply at this time.
Haiti Adoption Program
Families pursuing adoption from Haiti are typically matched with a child as soon as they have an approved home study. The adoption process takes approximately two years to complete. However, children may be as young as three to six months at time of referral, and adoptive families are encouraged to visit their child(ren) throughout the adoption process. Haiti is a country of great need, and there is no shortage of available children. It is also one of the least expensive international adoption programs. AAI is currently seeking families for children of all ages as well as sibling groups.
View the Waiting Children photolisting and know that there are also many other children available!
India Adoption Program
There are currently 14 families in various stages of the process of adopting from India through HOPE for Children, Inc., an agency of Adoption Associates, Inc. This program works with eleven orphanages located in six different states throughout India. Children available through this program typically range in age from three to twelve years old. Older children and children with special needs are mostly available. View the Waiting Children photolisting on HFC’s web site.
Kazakhstan Adoption Program
Our Kazakhstan adoption program has been active over the past several months with dossier approvals and families traveling or preparing to travel. Potential children from Kazakhstan 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.
Nepal Adoption Program
We are pleased to announce that AAI is fully accredited by the Nepalese government! Currently, there are approximately 30 families in various stages of the process of adopting through AAI’s Nepal program. Children from Nepal are Asian or Indian in appearance. Most of the children available through this program are considered to be healthy. Preschool-age children are most readily available.
Russia & Russia Waiting Children Adoption Programs
Our Russia program continues to be very active. We had eight children arrive home in October and two children home in September. Over the past several weeks, we have had families accept the referrals of 30 children and have 20 families preparing for court. Families interested in the Russia program are encouraged to apply or contact us for more information.
The Waiting Children program has had a lot of recent interest and several children have been linked to families. View our Eastern Europe photolisting.
Ukraine & Ukraine Waiting Children Adoption Programs
Ukraine is the least expensive Eastern European adoption program, and is unique in the fact that there is no referral process—families select a child from a database of children who are available for adoption. Families who are open to preschool- and school-aged children are especially welcome to apply.
Children of all ages with special medical needs and children over the age of six with no medical issues or concerns are available through the Ukraine Waiting Children program. The Waiting Children program has had a lot of recent interest and several children have been linked to families. View our Eastern Europe photolisting.
Hosts of Hope Program
Help change a child’s life! Join AAI’s Hosts of Hope program, where families are needed to host older, orphaned children during their stay in the United States. Several programs are planned for 2009, beginning with a Ukraine program this summer and a Russia program this summer. Please visit our news item for more information on the Ukraine program and watch our web site for details on upcoming programs.
Domestic Infant Adoption Program
AAI’s domestic adoption program placed six infants in September and five infants in October. Non-Michigan families considering AAI’s domestic program are encouraged to consider our international programs or check back after January 1, 2009 for domestic adoption as we have currently suspended the acceptance of domestic applications for non-Michigan families. (Please note that HOPE for Children, Inc., an agency of Adoption Associates, Inc. is currently accepting domestic applications from Georgia and non-Georgia families.)
More information
Call Adoption Associates, Inc. at 616.667.0921 or HOPE for Children, Inc. at 770.391.1511 for more information on international or domestic programs. Ready to get started? Download an international preliminary application or request an information packet today.
