Adoption Issues: November 2006

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

A Different Kind of Adoption

Some couples who were considering adopting a child are opting instead to adopt embryos. In 2003, an estimated 400,000 embryos, left over from in-vitro fertilization, were frozen. Rather than having the embryos destroyed, people can choose to donate them to other couples who want children.

"The trend is growing as more infertile couples learn about it. Carol Sommerfelt, embryologist for the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC) in Knoxville, Tenn. said cases number about 200 nationally."

Embryo adoption is also much less expensive, with costs ranging from $5,000 and higher depending on how many attempts are needed for a woman to become pregnant.

Read more in the Washington Times.

Monday, November 27, 2006

New Treaty Offers Some Consistency in International Adoptions

A new international adoption agreement called The Hague Convention will go into effect next year in the United States. It will strengthen the rules for international adoptions, and though it could make international adoptions more complicated, many are saying this treaty is a good thing.

"'The Hague Convention is the gold standard for adoption,' said Marshall Williams... 'It outlaws child buying and sets certain standards for adoption agencies and certain education standards families must complete.'"

The educational standards for families include a basic course on adoption, and information on their soon-to-be child and his or her birth country.

Read more online.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Photo Exhibit Focuses on Adoption

A photo exhibit called the Pennsylvania Heart Galleries features photos and biographies of fifty children from seventeen counties throughout Pennsylvania who need to be adopted. The exhibit is on display at the Nittany Mall until the 19th of December.

"'It is my sincere hope that the compelling images and stories of the Heart Gallery will inspire families all across Pennsylvania to welcome these children into their homes.' [says Department of Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman]"

Each child featured in the exhibit who gets adopted has a special sticker placed on his or her photo. Seventeen children have been adopted since the exhibit began.

Read more online.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Managing the Costs

While no one who's considering adoption wants to make it all about finances, the simple fact is that adoption is expensive. This two-part blog from AdoptionBlogs.com offers some suggestions for saving money along the way.

"As far as adoption agency fees go, this is where the big money comes in. Most of the agencies have fairly similar fees for the same programs, but again, do your homework. In the Ethiopia program I know for sure that there is close to a $5000 difference between the most expensive agency and the least expensive."

Other tips include ways to find a good homestudy agency, and saving money on paperwork.

Read more at AdoptionBlogs.com
Part one
Part two

Friday, November 17, 2006

Kentucky Changing Adoption Laws

A state panel in Kentucky is proposing new laws and regulations to the currently expedited adoption process. Called "quick-trigger" adoptions, child advocacy groups complain that children are removed too quickly from their homes, and foster homes aren't property investigated.

"Under current Kentucky law, judges deciding whether to return state foster children to their families or allow them to stay with prospective adoptive parents don't have a say in whether foster homes are appropriate."

Proposed changes include giving judges more power to change foster homes, providing more money for attorneys representing parents, and gathering more information about foster homes. Learn more online.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

More Singles Adopting

Single men and women are becoming increasingly interested in adopting children. Though the financial, emotional, and physical burdens can be greater for a single parent, the rewards can be greater as well.

"'It's tough, it's scary, but it's the best thing I have ever done in my life, and there's no way I would change it for anything,' [Cindy] Cummins said."

Social workers are quick to tell single would-be parents that they need a strong support system of people who can help if he or she has to work late or falls ill. Read more about Cindy's story online.

Monday, November 13, 2006

The Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplaces

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is conducting an on-line survey of adoption-friendly workplaces. Employees who work at companies that have adoption benefits are encouraged to take the on-line survey.

"This survey lets people celebrate their employers and make them eligible for the Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List."

The results of the survey will be released on May 1, 2007.

Read the article and participate in the survey online.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Trying To Open the Door To Uganda

Cindy Davis and Julie Banta, board members of an international adoption agency, recently visited Uganda in an effort to further open its doors to international adoptions. The current law requires anyone wishing to adopt a Ugandan child to live in the country for three years.

"Ugandans fear that children adopted by foreigners will lose their culture."

Many are hopeful that Uganda will revise their adoption policies and become a model for adoption in Africa. Read more online.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

An Adoption Overview

There are so many options available to people seeking to adopt. Choosing the right option is difficult. This article from BYU NewsNet gives a great overview of the basics of adoption: types of agencies (including governmental), costs, and open verses closed adoptions.

"There are three main options that birth mothers and couples seeking to adopt will encounter while searching to best match their wants and needs, including small agencies, larger organizations and the state."

Whether you choose a private or state agency, national or international, open or closed, adoption is ultimately a choice of love.

Monday, November 06, 2006

The Little Things

When Tracy Hahn-Burkett and her husband began the process of adopting a baby girl from South Korea, they expected things to go fairly smoothly. And things did, for a while. But when they were asked to provide fingerprints to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, their progress stopped.

"My husband's fingerprints were approved, but mine had been rejected."

Tracy was told she had "overused fingers" and her prints weren't clear. It was the beginning of a several-week-long-side-track the Hahn-Burketts hadn't planned on taking. It was frustrating but taught them to expect the unexpected, and be prepared for unusual delays in the adoption process. Read more about the adoption process from AdoptiveFamilies.com.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Made In Korea

Jenny Palmqvist was born in Korea, and adopted by a Swedish family when she was just four months old. Reports on adoptees often focus on emotional and psychological tolls, questions about birth parents, etc. Jenny's story offers a fresh perspective, reminding us of the gratitude and love often felt by adoptees.

"'I am happy [my biological parents] made me so that I could become the person I am today', she said. 'I know they made a tough decision. It must always be a tough decision for parents to send away or leave their child.'"

Jenny intends to return to Korea and learn more about her birth country, and possibly search for her birth parents, of whom she says "I hope my biological parents have a good life..." Read more online.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

National Adoption Month

In 1976, Michael Dukakis, then governor of Massachusetts, announced the first-ever Adoption Week for his state. President Gerald Ford later announced that Adoption Week would be a nationwide celebration. State participation increased over the years until, in 1990, it was determined that a week wasn't long enough, so it was expanded to a month-long celebration.

"This year's theme of adopting teens from foster care builds on the Ad Council's new public service announcement campaign of the Children's Bureau, the Adoption Exchange Association, and The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids."

National Adoption Day is set for November 18th this year. Read more online.

Adoption & the Family
Family dynamics such as relationships with parents and siblings and separation anxiety >>

Adoption & the Community
The classroom and relationships with peers and role models>>

The Adoption Circle
Identity, Heritage and Belonging>>

Special Kinds of Adoption
International adoption and siblings with different adoptive backgrounds>>

Therapeutic boarding schools help adopted teens with identity and self-esteem issues. Call (866) 561-7327 to find one now.