Showing posts with label international adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label international adoption. Show all posts
Friday, August 3, 2012
China Currently Working to Broaden Category of Children Who Can Be Adopted
From an Orphan to Promising Ballerina
Adoption Nutrition
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Christians Adopting More "Special Needs" Children
Christianity Today reports that as countries place tighter restrictions on international adoptions, more Americans are expanding their view of adoption and adopting those with "special needs."
(Please excuse the inaccurate and offensive title of the article.)
(Please excuse the inaccurate and offensive title of the article.)
Adoptable Kids in Short Supply
But demand is high as evangelicals adopt wider variety of children than ever.
by Ken Walker
by Ken Walker
Tighter government restrictions have reduced the number of children adopted from overseas to a 15-year low. In response, evangelicals—more willing than ever to adopt—are broadening the type of children they are willing to take in. More families, for example, are taking special-needs children, older kids, and those in foster care. Meanwhile, agencies are developing childcare subsidies and other programs to facilitate in-country adoptions.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The U.S. and Russia Sign New Adoption Agreement
The New York Times reports a new adoption accord signed by both countries today:
Ending a Rift, Russia and the United States Sign Adoption Accord
Ending a Rift, Russia and the United States Sign Adoption Accord
Saturday, July 9, 2011
22-Year Old is Foster Mom to 13 Ugandan Girls
Thursday, June 30, 2011
A Glimmer of Hope - Ways Those Who Have Adopted From Ethiopia Give Back
From Adoption Today Magazine
Despite the media’s blitz debating whether or not Ethiopia will continue on as the hot spot for international adoption, non-profit A Glimmer of Hope is seeing a different kind of trend skyrocketing within the adoptive community with strong family ties to this sub-saharan African country. In the last six months, five adoptive families have spearheaded different personal campaigns that so far have raised almost $800,000 to fund the construction of schools, water projects and health clinics in rural Ethiopia. Through Glimmer, a growing stream of adoptive families are giving back in big ways to the birth country of their adopted children by helping Ethiopian women and children living in extreme poverty.
A family calling
“We were very, very blessed with these two children, and had a strong calling to give back to the country that has given us so much,” Jeff Greene said. Jeff and his wife, Kristen, might even call this trend a family affair since they have personally rallied an army of parents, sisters, brothers, cousins and a posse of close friends to their cause to give back to their children’s birth place. The Greenes’ cause hit home with many who are giving up their birthdays or participating in half-marathons and fun runs to raise donations.
Continue with story here.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Tips and Recommended Reading When Adopting an Older Child
Older Child Adoption - What to Think About, Tips for Successful Transition
by Susan Serrano as reported in Adoptive Families Magazine.
As more infants and toddlers are united with adoptive families within their birth countries, an increasing number of older children have become available for international adoption in recent years. “I think older children have always been there, but there is a growing awareness that there are families interested in adopting them,” said Denise Schoborg, director of Dillon International’s China adoption program. “The
need for families is very real, but prospective parents need to do some soul-searching to determine if they are ready to parent an older international adoptee.”
The realistic expectations, research and education, that are key to any successful adoption experience, become even more vital when considering the adoption of an older child, who may have some additional struggles adjusting to life with their adoptive family. “Kids that come from institutional settings are survivors. It may take some time for the child to learn what their role is in a healthy family and develop interpersonal skills in their new environment,” explained Debbie Wynne, director of Dillon International’s Texas office and Buckner Adoption and Maternity Services. “A child may be biologically a 7-year-old, but that does not mean that they have had seven years of nurturing by loving parents. They may even have been in a situation where they had to act as a parent.”
“It is important for parents to realize that while they may be dealing with a 7-year-old that has the street smarts of a 14-year-old, that same child could also have the attachment needs of an infant. You have to be prepared to parent where that child is developmentally in the moment,” Schoborg added.
Patience is critical as the child attaches to the adoptive family and learns how to be nurtured. “The child may take their disappointments out on their family, but parents need to recognize that the child is acting out of a sense of grief and loss and to steadfastly offer unconditional love in return. They should not take those attacks personally,” Wynne said.
Families preparing to adopt an older child can pave the way for smoother transitions with plenty of advance education that focuses on the needs of older adoptees. It is also crucial for families to surround themselves with a support network that includes adoption professionals and adoptive families, Schoborg recommended.
Securing the services of a translator and locating other language resources prior to the child’s arrival will also go a long way toward building attachment and establishing relationships, Wynne added.
Although the adoption of an older child does come with some unique challenges, it offers advantages as well, Wynne points out. “With an older child, there is an opportunity to really ‘see’ them,” she explained. “You can know their health and how they respond in social and educational environments. With an infant or toddler, you really haven’t seen the person that they will grow into being.”
“There are children who desire so much to be in a family,” Wynne said. “The families that do well adopting older children are resourceful and committed to helping their child heal from the traumas of the past. It is exciting to see families that have chosen this path do extremely well. There are families for every
kind of child.”
Recommended Reading:
• Raising Adopted Children by Lois Melina
• Attaching in Adoption by Deborah Gray
• Nurturing Adoptions by Deborah Gray
• The Connected Child by Karyn Purvis, Ph.D.
• Adopting the Hurt Child by Gregory Keck, Ph.D.
• Parenting the Hurt Child by Gregory Keck, Ph.D.
• With Eyes Wide Open by Margi Miller, MA, & Nancy Ward, MA, LISCW
• Toddler Adoption by Mary Hopkins Best, Ed.D.
• Parenting Your Older Adopted Child by Brenda McCreight, Ph.D., RSW
• Our Own - Adopting and Parenting the Older Child by Trish Maskew
• Adopted Teens Only: A Survival Guide to Adolescence by Danea Gorbett
• Beneath the Mask by Debbie Riley, MS
• Parenting Adopted Adolescents: Understanding and Appreciating Their Journeys by Gregory C. Keck, Ph.D.
Susan Serrano is director of media relations for Dillon International, Inc. Founded in 1972, Dillon International is a licensed, nonprofit adoption and humanitarian aid agency that is affiliated with Dallas-based Buckner International. Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla.—with branch locations in Tustin, Calif. (in Orange County); the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area; the Kansas City, Kansas area; St. Louis, Mo.; Little Rock and Fayetteville, Ark; and Richmond, Ind.—Dillon International is Hague Accredited through the Council on
Accreditation to process international adoptions pursuant to the Intercountry Adoption
Act of 2000.
by Susan Serrano as reported in Adoptive Families Magazine.
As more infants and toddlers are united with adoptive families within their birth countries, an increasing number of older children have become available for international adoption in recent years. “I think older children have always been there, but there is a growing awareness that there are families interested in adopting them,” said Denise Schoborg, director of Dillon International’s China adoption program. “The
need for families is very real, but prospective parents need to do some soul-searching to determine if they are ready to parent an older international adoptee.”
The realistic expectations, research and education, that are key to any successful adoption experience, become even more vital when considering the adoption of an older child, who may have some additional struggles adjusting to life with their adoptive family. “Kids that come from institutional settings are survivors. It may take some time for the child to learn what their role is in a healthy family and develop interpersonal skills in their new environment,” explained Debbie Wynne, director of Dillon International’s Texas office and Buckner Adoption and Maternity Services. “A child may be biologically a 7-year-old, but that does not mean that they have had seven years of nurturing by loving parents. They may even have been in a situation where they had to act as a parent.”
“It is important for parents to realize that while they may be dealing with a 7-year-old that has the street smarts of a 14-year-old, that same child could also have the attachment needs of an infant. You have to be prepared to parent where that child is developmentally in the moment,” Schoborg added.
Patience is critical as the child attaches to the adoptive family and learns how to be nurtured. “The child may take their disappointments out on their family, but parents need to recognize that the child is acting out of a sense of grief and loss and to steadfastly offer unconditional love in return. They should not take those attacks personally,” Wynne said.
Families preparing to adopt an older child can pave the way for smoother transitions with plenty of advance education that focuses on the needs of older adoptees. It is also crucial for families to surround themselves with a support network that includes adoption professionals and adoptive families, Schoborg recommended.
Securing the services of a translator and locating other language resources prior to the child’s arrival will also go a long way toward building attachment and establishing relationships, Wynne added.
Although the adoption of an older child does come with some unique challenges, it offers advantages as well, Wynne points out. “With an older child, there is an opportunity to really ‘see’ them,” she explained. “You can know their health and how they respond in social and educational environments. With an infant or toddler, you really haven’t seen the person that they will grow into being.”
“There are children who desire so much to be in a family,” Wynne said. “The families that do well adopting older children are resourceful and committed to helping their child heal from the traumas of the past. It is exciting to see families that have chosen this path do extremely well. There are families for every
kind of child.”
Recommended Reading:
• Raising Adopted Children by Lois Melina
• Attaching in Adoption by Deborah Gray
• Nurturing Adoptions by Deborah Gray
• The Connected Child by Karyn Purvis, Ph.D.
• Adopting the Hurt Child by Gregory Keck, Ph.D.
• Parenting the Hurt Child by Gregory Keck, Ph.D.
• With Eyes Wide Open by Margi Miller, MA, & Nancy Ward, MA, LISCW
• Toddler Adoption by Mary Hopkins Best, Ed.D.
• Parenting Your Older Adopted Child by Brenda McCreight, Ph.D., RSW
• Our Own - Adopting and Parenting the Older Child by Trish Maskew
• Adopted Teens Only: A Survival Guide to Adolescence by Danea Gorbett
• Beneath the Mask by Debbie Riley, MS
• Parenting Adopted Adolescents: Understanding and Appreciating Their Journeys by Gregory C. Keck, Ph.D.
Susan Serrano is director of media relations for Dillon International, Inc. Founded in 1972, Dillon International is a licensed, nonprofit adoption and humanitarian aid agency that is affiliated with Dallas-based Buckner International. Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla.—with branch locations in Tustin, Calif. (in Orange County); the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area; the Kansas City, Kansas area; St. Louis, Mo.; Little Rock and Fayetteville, Ark; and Richmond, Ind.—Dillon International is Hague Accredited through the Council on
Accreditation to process international adoptions pursuant to the Intercountry Adoption
Act of 2000.
Adoption Agency Gets #1 Ranking by China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption
This ranking (released on March 28, 2011) is the first ever by the Chinese government.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Help for Adoptive Families Whose Children Had a Rough Early Life
Adoption Learning Partners is offering four new online courses to prepare parents to raise children who arrive with difficult early experiences. The "Tough Starts Matter Series" covers topics that are timely and meaningful not only for pre-adopters—including brain development, treatment, parenting, and families—but also for families who are already in the thick of it, and are looking to help their children gain new skills.
The Tough Starts Series equips adoptive parents with insight into how their child's tough start in life may lead to troubling behavior years later. Importantly, it also helps parents learn what they can do now to intercede, helping their child to heal and their family to thrive
Experts like Karyn Purvis, Ph.D., and Judy Stigger, LCSW, weigh in via short videos. The package includes four online courses totaling five hours. Buy the package for $60 at adoptionlearningpartners.org (a 29-percent discount from the list price per course).
Hurt children, of all ages and with all sorts of challenges, benefit when their parents (and professionals) receive extra support and preparation to transition them into a family. If your family is facing this situation, don't hesitate to sign up.
The Tough Starts Series equips adoptive parents with insight into how their child's tough start in life may lead to troubling behavior years later. Importantly, it also helps parents learn what they can do now to intercede, helping their child to heal and their family to thrive
Experts like Karyn Purvis, Ph.D., and Judy Stigger, LCSW, weigh in via short videos. The package includes four online courses totaling five hours. Buy the package for $60 at adoptionlearningpartners.org (a 29-percent discount from the list price per course).
Hurt children, of all ages and with all sorts of challenges, benefit when their parents (and professionals) receive extra support and preparation to transition them into a family. If your family is facing this situation, don't hesitate to sign up.
Help for Those Families Struggling with Sleep Issues
Are You Sleeping?
Expert advice for adoptive families struggling to get a good night's sleep.
Webinar
Thursday, May 19, 2011
7:00 - 8:00 PM Central
Q & A: 8:00 - 8:30PM Central
Cost: $15
REGISTER for this webinar
Join Dr. Julian Davies for a practical, humorous, and balanced exploration of why adopted children (and their parents!) often sleep so poorly, and what to do about it!
This webinar will help adoptive families:
• Explore the reasons behind sleep problems in adopted children
• Formulate short-term and long-term sleep strategies for adoptive families
• Trouble-shoot specific sleep problems
• Add many practical sleep tips to your toolbox
Speaker: Dr. Julian Davies
Julian Davies, MD, is a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington, where he co-directs the Center for Adoption Medicine, and works at the longest-running FAS clinic in the country. His interest in foster care and adoption started in Russia, where he started a summer arts and clown camp for Russian orphans. He now has a pediatric practice where 2/3 of his patients were fostered or adopted. Dr. Davies also created an award-winning online resource for pediatrics and adoption: http://www.adoptmed.org/
Please Note: Registrants will be contacted and asked to submit questions prior to the event
Sponsored by:
Adoption Learning Partners & Joint Council on International Children's Services
Expert advice for adoptive families struggling to get a good night's sleep.
Webinar
Thursday, May 19, 2011
7:00 - 8:00 PM Central
Q & A: 8:00 - 8:30PM Central
Cost: $15
REGISTER for this webinar
Join Dr. Julian Davies for a practical, humorous, and balanced exploration of why adopted children (and their parents!) often sleep so poorly, and what to do about it!
This webinar will help adoptive families:
• Explore the reasons behind sleep problems in adopted children
• Formulate short-term and long-term sleep strategies for adoptive families
• Trouble-shoot specific sleep problems
• Add many practical sleep tips to your toolbox
Speaker: Dr. Julian Davies
Julian Davies, MD, is a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington, where he co-directs the Center for Adoption Medicine, and works at the longest-running FAS clinic in the country. His interest in foster care and adoption started in Russia, where he started a summer arts and clown camp for Russian orphans. He now has a pediatric practice where 2/3 of his patients were fostered or adopted. Dr. Davies also created an award-winning online resource for pediatrics and adoption: http://www.adoptmed.org/
Please Note: Registrants will be contacted and asked to submit questions prior to the event
Sponsored by:
Adoption Learning Partners & Joint Council on International Children's Services
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Adoption Institute's Report on Changes in Ethiopia's Adoption Process
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
________________________________________________________________________________
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).
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