Adoption Options Domestic & International Presented by Family Connections, Inc.

What is Adoption? International Adoption occurs when persons from one country become the legal parents of a child from another country. Domestic Adoption occurs when birth parent(s) surrender or lose legal custody of their child for placement with adoptive parents

Who Are the Children? Ages – newborn to 21 yrs (domestic) Ages – newborn to 21 yrs (domestic) Ages - infant to 16 yrs (international) Race/Ethnicity/Culture (varies with country) - includes Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic, African, European, Bi- or Multi-Racial Health – healthy, minor correctable conditions, special medical and developmental needs

Where Are The Children? Domestic AdoptionInternational Adoption Every State within the United States Many countries; most active sending countries: China, Ethiopia, and Russia Residing in Foster Care or with Birth Parents or Yet to be Born Residing in Orphanages or Foster Care

Why Are The Children Needing Adoptive Homes? Death of birth parents Death of birth parents Abandonment by birth parents Abandonment by birth parents Extreme Poverty Extreme Poverty Family illness (physical and/or mental) Family illness (physical and/or mental) Parental Substance Addiction Parental Substance Addiction Abuse, Neglect, and/or Maltreatment Abuse, Neglect, and/or Maltreatment Unprepared or Lack Resources to Parent Unprepared or Lack Resources to Parent Inter-generational cultural belief systems Inter-generational cultural belief systems Family planning policies and practices Family planning policies and practices

How Do The Children Become Available for Adoption? Domestic Adoption: Parental Rights are Terminated by the Courts (foster care to adoption) Parents Rights are Voluntarily Surrendered by Birth Parents (private placement) International Adoption: The U.S. requires the child be classified as an orphan Each foreign government has their own unique processes to determine a child’s eligibility for adoption

How Do I Adopt? - Domestically 1. Research & Decide Adoption Path 2. Home Study Investigation a) Agency Approval (public or private agency) b) Court Approval (private independent) 3. Outreach to Prospective Birth Parents or Search for Child “freed” for Adoption in the Foster Care System 4. Match with Birth Parent(s) or “freed” Child 5. Build Relationship with Birth Parent(s) or “freed” Child 6. Placement of Child 7. Post-Placement Supervision and Support 8. Finalization of Adoption

How Do I Adopt? – Internationally 1. Research & Decide Adoption Path 2. Home Study Investigation a) Agency Approval (Hague or Non-Hague) 3. Approval as a Prospective Adoptive Parent of a Foreign Born Orphan by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) 4. Submission of a Dossier (adoption application) to the Country of your Choice 5. Wait for your Child Match 6. Referral of Child and Decision to Adopt 7. Travel to Country for Adoption of Child 8. Immigration of Child into the United States 9. Post-Placement Supervision and Support 10. Finalization of Adoption (if not completed in country)

Potential Challenges of the Adoption Process Domestic Adoption Unpredictability of: Unpredictability of: Birth parent choices Wait time for child and timing of placement Cost Process “glitches” Process “glitches” Openness of Adoption Openness of Adoption Risk of Loss: Risk of Loss: Not chosen by birth parent or public system Birth Parent(s) decide to parent International Adoption Unpredictability of: Unpredictability of: Procedural changes Opening/closing of country programs Cost Process “glitches” Process “glitches” Closed Adoption Closed Adoption Risk of Loss: Risk of Loss: Country program closes Illness/death of child (rare)

Potential Challenges for Child Separation & Loss Separation & Loss Attachment Attachment Becoming a multi-racial family and multi-cultural family Becoming a multi-racial family and multi-cultural family Unknown birth family history Unknown birth family history Pre-adoption circumstances Pre-adoption circumstances Prenatal experience (e.g. drug exposure, lack of proper nutrition)Prenatal experience (e.g. drug exposure, lack of proper nutrition) Familial care, foster care, or institutional care prior to placementFamilial care, foster care, or institutional care prior to placement Unexpected developmental and/or medical concerns Unexpected developmental and/or medical concerns

What are the Joys of Adoption? A child has a forever family A child has a forever family You embrace a new son/daughter You embrace a new son/daughter Your family is enriched with a new life Your family is enriched with a new life Your family’s cultural experiences are expanded Your family’s cultural experiences are expanded Smiles, Giggles, Cuddles, Hugs, & Kisses Smiles, Giggles, Cuddles, Hugs, & Kisses

Is Adoption Right for You? 1) Are you able to open your home and heart to a child who was not born to you? 2) Are you able to provide love, comfort, security, and stimulation for a child? 3) Are you able to support the medical and developmental needs for a child with a less than perfect start in life? 4) Are you comfortable with the likelihood that your child will have medical and family unknowns? 5) Are you prepared to embrace a birth family? 6) Are you flexible, patient and prepared to overcome adoption glitches and uncertainty? 7) Are you willing to expand your family’s cultural identity?

How Can I Learn More? On-line Organizations and Resources On-line Organizations and Resources U.S. Department of State at Department of State at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at Citizenship and Immigration Services at National Adoption Information Clearinghouse at Adoption Information Clearinghouse at Joint Council on International Children’s ServicesJoint Council on International Children’s Services at at The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute at Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute at Adoption Exchange Association at (public listing of children in the United StatesAdoption Exchange Association at (public listing of children in the United Stateswww.AdoptUsKids.org Various adoption agency websitesVarious adoption agency websites

How Can I Learn More? International Adoption Medical Clinics International Adoption Medical Clinics Listing available at available at Adoptive Parenting Publications Adoptive Parenting Publications Adoption Guide published annually by Adoptive Families MagazineAdoption Guide published annually by Adoptive Families Magazine Adoptive Families Magazine available at Families Magazine available at Adoption Today: Roots and Wings Adoption Magazine available at Today: Roots and Wings Adoption Magazine available at Numerous adoption books available through Tapestry Books Adoption Book Catalog available at adoption books available through Tapestry Books Adoption Book Catalog available at

How Can I Learn More? Adoption Support Networks Adoption Support Networks For example: Families with Children from China; Families for Russian and Ukrainian AdoptionFor example: Families with Children from China; Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption Speak with your local adoption agency to locate a support network in your areaSpeak with your local adoption agency to locate a support network in your area Speak with Other Adoptive Parents Speak with Other Adoptive Parents Adoptive Parents love to share their experience with othersAdoptive Parents love to share their experience with others Speak with an adoption professional Speak with an adoption professional

How Do We Begin? Please contact: Family Connections, Inc. P.O. Box 5555 Cortland, NY (607) or

Thank You for Opening Your Hearts and Minds to the Possibility of Adoption Produced by Family Connections, Inc.