REPORTS OF ABUSES LEAD TO CHANGES IN ETHIOPIA'S ADOPTION PROCESS
Recent reports of fraud and corruption have caused concern about adoptions from Ethiopia among child welfare organizations and the U.S. State Department, reports Peter Heinlein in a December 14 VOANews.com article titled "Under Pressure, Ethiopia Plans Crackdown on Baby Business." Earlier in the month, the State Department issued a statement cautioning prospective adoptive parents against "malfeasance and abuse" and announcing delays in the adoption process in an attempt to ensure that all adoptions are ethical and in the best interests of the child. Ethiopian officials report that they will close orphanages that only serve as "transit homes" en route to adoption, and re-accredit all foreign adoption agencies in an effort to impose higher ethical standards. To read the article, go to: http://bit.ly/eWXZWi . To read the State Department notice, go to http://bit.ly/bqj5wI and scroll down to December 6, 2010.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Chinese Infant Adoptees Form Attachments Quickly
As reported by Adoption Institute -
RESEARCH SHOWS CHINESE INFANT ADOPTEES FORM ATTACHMENTS RAPIDLY
A Canadian study of attachment development among 32 adopted Chinese girls (mean age at adoption = 13 months) found that although adoptive mothers reported more inhibited behaviors initially in their infants, after six months, the reported rate was about the same as for mothers in a comparison group of non-adopted infants. "The Emerging Attachment Relationship between Adopted Chinese Infants and their Mothers," by Mirella Pugliese, Nancy Cohen, Fataneh Farnia and Mirek Lojkasek, is in the December issue of Children and Youth Services Review (Volume 32, Issue 12). The study also reported no variability in adopted and non-adopted children's avoidant or resistant behaviors or in maternal nurturing or rejecting behaviors, concluding that the moderate deprivation these infants experienced before adoption did not interfere with their forming new attachments. To access an abstract, go to: http://bit.ly/h3JGkN.
RESEARCH SHOWS CHINESE INFANT ADOPTEES FORM ATTACHMENTS RAPIDLY
A Canadian study of attachment development among 32 adopted Chinese girls (mean age at adoption = 13 months) found that although adoptive mothers reported more inhibited behaviors initially in their infants, after six months, the reported rate was about the same as for mothers in a comparison group of non-adopted infants. "The Emerging Attachment Relationship between Adopted Chinese Infants and their Mothers," by Mirella Pugliese, Nancy Cohen, Fataneh Farnia and Mirek Lojkasek, is in the December issue of Children and Youth Services Review (Volume 32, Issue 12). The study also reported no variability in adopted and non-adopted children's avoidant or resistant behaviors or in maternal nurturing or rejecting behaviors, concluding that the moderate deprivation these infants experienced before adoption did not interfere with their forming new attachments. To access an abstract, go to: http://bit.ly/h3JGkN.
Adoption Tax Credit
From Adoptive Families Magazine -
Parents who finalized an adoption in 2010 may claim a maximum credit of $13,170 for adoption expenses. The credit is now refundable, allowing lower-income families to claim it. If a family’s “qualified expenses” (adoption fees, legal fees, traveling expenses, and so on) exceed their tax liability, they will receive the difference in the form of a tax refund.
Parents who finalized an adoption in 2010 may claim a maximum credit of $13,170 for adoption expenses. The credit is now refundable, allowing lower-income families to claim it. If a family’s “qualified expenses” (adoption fees, legal fees, traveling expenses, and so on) exceed their tax liability, they will receive the difference in the form of a tax refund.
Update on Mother Who Returned Adopted Son to Russia
Record Low in International Adoptions
Adoptive Families Magazine reports that 2010 was a year of record low international adoptions.
The number of intercountry adoptions by Americans fell 13 percent in the past year—from 12,753 to 11,059—to reach a 15-year low, according to data from the U.S. Department of State. Adoptions from China continued to head the list, with 3,401 adoptions to the U.S. in 2010. Rounding out the top five sending countries are Ethiopia (2,513), Russia (1,082), South Korea (863), and Ukraine (445).
The number of intercountry adoptions by Americans fell 13 percent in the past year—from 12,753 to 11,059—to reach a 15-year low, according to data from the U.S. Department of State. Adoptions from China continued to head the list, with 3,401 adoptions to the U.S. in 2010. Rounding out the top five sending countries are Ethiopia (2,513), Russia (1,082), South Korea (863), and Ukraine (445).
Latest Adoption Cost and Wait Time Data from Adoptive Families Magazine
Adoptive Families Magazine has released the results of their annual survey on adoption costs and wait times. It includes both domestic and international adoption. It seems the least expensive way to adopt is through the U.S. Foster Care system and the most expensive is adopting from Russia.
Read the survey results here.
Joint Council on International Children's Services' Emergency Campaign for Ethiopian Children
Because Ethiopia has decided to drastically reduce the number of international adoptions, JCIC has undertaken an emergency Ethiopia campaign. If you would like to help, they have a petition and suggestions for other things you can do here.
China Opens Adoption to Single Women
China has changed it's policy regarding international adoption by single women! Joint Council on International Children's Services has a full report on their blog, along with the full text of the CCAA announcement.
Fundraiser for South Asian Children Living in Poverty
David Argabright began a cross country bicycle trip on March 12 from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL in order to raise sponsorship funds and awareness for children living in poverty in South Asia. He is partnering with Compassion 575, a ministry of the Church of the Nazarene, in this endeavor.
The money raised will go towards sponsoring a child in a CDC (Child Development Center). Child Development Centers meet the physical, spiritual, & educational needs of the children.
You can follow his bike ride & read more information about Compassion 575 at his website: http://www.compassion575.com/index.php
He will also be updating his blog (http://nazareneblogs.org/davidargabright/ ) along the way as well.
Aid Pours In for Central Florida's Homeless Children after "60 Minutes" Piece
As a result of CBS news magazine, 60 Minutes's, feature on homeless children in Central Florida (found here),an outpouring of aid was given to numerous agencies and non profits that aid children. The largest pledge, $5.6 million, was made from Orlando First Baptist Church. The Orlando Sentinel cover's this story here.
Ethiopia Update by JCIC
This is from their blog:
Ethiopia Update 3/11/11Following are our notes from the Department of State Office of Children’s Issues conference call regarding Ethiopian adoptions conducted earlier today. These notes do not represent nor are they in any way attributable to the Department of State or US Citizenship and Immigration Services. We are providing the notes with respect to those who could not participate in the conference.
We extend our thanks to the Department of State for conducting the conference call and to US Citizenship and Immigration Services for their participation and contributions.
The Department of State is Actively Involved
The Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs announced a reduction in the processing of intercountry adoption cases from 50 per day to 5 per day, effective March 10, 2011.
The Department of State is actively involved in discussions with the Government of Ethiopia, other governments and stakeholders.
A coalition of countries is preparing a proposal to assist the Ministry increase its capacity.
Embassy suggested that children with special need’s cases should not be delayed.
The US Embassy officials have a scheduled meeting with the Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs for Monday, March 14, 2011.
There are areas of concern related to intercountry adoption, however the reduction is disproportionate.
Adoption Cases
Currently there are no implementation guidelines for in-process cases.
For adoption cases registered with the Ethiopian court, the best estimate is a one-year delay.
The staff change at the Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs has been confirmed as taking effect the week of March 13, 2011. The impact this will have on adoption cases is not known.
It is estimated that between 800-1,000 adoption cases are currently on the docket of Ethiopian courts.
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Also on the JCIC blog is an open letter by Dr. Jane Aronson (Founder and CEO of Worldwide Orphans Foundation) to President Bill Clinton, asking for his involvement in this matter
U.S. Department of State Issues an Adoption Alert for Ethiopia
Ethiopia Plans to Reduce International Adoptions by 90%. Here is the alert issued on March 9, 2011 by the U.S. Dept. of State:
Government of Ethiopia Plans Major Slow-Down in Adoption Processing
Citing the need to work on quality and focus on more important strategic issues, the Government of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA) has indicated it will reduce to a maximum of five the number of adoption cases it processes per day, effective March 10, 2011. Under Ethiopian adoption procedures, MOWCYA approves every match between prospective adoptive parents and an Ethiopian child before that case can be forwarded for a court hearing. The U.S. Embassy is working with Ethiopian government officials and adoption agencies to learn more about this change in procedures. We will continue to share information as it becomes available.
Given MOWCYA's current caseload, the U.S. Embassy anticipates that this change could result in an overall decline in case processing of some 90 percent. If this change is implemented as proposed, we expect, that parents who have begun the process of adopting from Ethiopia but have not yet been matched with a child could experience significant delays. It is not clear if this change in procedures would have any significant impact on cases in which MOWCYA has already approved matches.
Prospective adoptive parents should remain in close contact with their adoption service provider to obtain updates on individual cases.
The Embassy's Adoptions Unit can be reached at consadoptionaddis@state.gov.
Please continue to monitor http://adoption.state.gov/ for updated information as it becomes available.
Note: Ethiopia is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention).
Government of Ethiopia Plans Major Slow-Down in Adoption Processing
Citing the need to work on quality and focus on more important strategic issues, the Government of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA) has indicated it will reduce to a maximum of five the number of adoption cases it processes per day, effective March 10, 2011. Under Ethiopian adoption procedures, MOWCYA approves every match between prospective adoptive parents and an Ethiopian child before that case can be forwarded for a court hearing. The U.S. Embassy is working with Ethiopian government officials and adoption agencies to learn more about this change in procedures. We will continue to share information as it becomes available.
Given MOWCYA's current caseload, the U.S. Embassy anticipates that this change could result in an overall decline in case processing of some 90 percent. If this change is implemented as proposed, we expect, that parents who have begun the process of adopting from Ethiopia but have not yet been matched with a child could experience significant delays. It is not clear if this change in procedures would have any significant impact on cases in which MOWCYA has already approved matches.
Prospective adoptive parents should remain in close contact with their adoption service provider to obtain updates on individual cases.
The Embassy's Adoptions Unit can be reached at consadoptionaddis@state.gov.
Please continue to monitor http://adoption.state.gov/ for updated information as it becomes available.
Note: Ethiopia is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention).
Register Now for Christian Alliance for Orphans' Summit VII
Some of this year's speakers inclue Russell Moore, Karyn Purvis, and Dennis Rainey. There will be pre-summit events, numerous break-out sessions, and musical guests. This is THE conference to attend for pastors, lay leaders, ministry professionals, and individuals seeking knowledge on adoption, foster care, global orphan care, and advocacy. Visit the Summit site to register or for more information.
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