Karla made the decision to adopt a child about three years ago. She began the process twice, both times with countries that changed their rules and refused to accept her application, before turning to Vietnam in hopes of finally realizing her dream of becoming a mom.

"On the day [Karla] arrived in Vietnam, Oct. 25, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Ho Chi Minh City announced that because of 'growing concerns about irregularities in the methods used to identify children for adoption in Vietnam and the resulting difficulties in classifying those children as orphans,' the local USCIS office would need to verify the status of any orphan up for adoption to the U.S."

Thus began what is, to date, a seven-month wait for Karla to bring her adopted daughter home. Karla's lawyer, Irene Steffas, says there is hope because they're re-tracing some of their steps to show governments in both countries that the law has been followed and the adoption is legitimate. Source: Wisconsin State Journal

SunHawk Academy offers programs for troubled teens in a boarding school setting. Their adolescent drug treatment center also offers teen substance abuse treatment.

Labels: international, adoption_process, immigration

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In the wake of last week's deadly earthquake, thousands of Chinese are eagerly offering their homes to the more than 4,000 children who are now orphans. It's a surprising response in a country that has not encouraged adoption in the past.

"Some Chinese, reached this week by phone, said they want to adopt because they are unable to have a child of their own. Some see a chance to have a rare second child despite China's strict one-child policy. And some, like Wang [Liqin], whose own baby didn't survive childbirth this year, understand loss and want to help."

The outpouring of love and sympathy from the Chinese means that foreigners may not have a chance to adopt many of the orphaned children. Before any of the children are officially named "orphans," Chinese officials will try to reunite them with family members. Though current estimates put the number of orphans at 4,000, the actual figure can't be calculated while recovery efforts are still in the "search and rescue" phase. Source: Fox News

Labels: orphanages, China, natural_disasters

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The Great Wall of China Adoption Agency held a workshop on Saturday for people considering adopting children from China. The workshop was held at the Wichita Falls Public Library.

"China has two routes you can go... the more popular one is what they call the regular referral route, which means adopting a newborn. The other one is what they call a 'Special Needs' match. Either the child is older... or they have medical needs."

Some people are choosing the special needs route, in part, because the wait for a healthy newborn can be as long as two to three years. Source: KAUZ, Wichita Falls, KS

Labels: China, agencies, workshop

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A recent study conducted through the University of Minnesota has found that adopted children are more likely to be diagnosed with a behavioral disorder or have contact with mental health professionals than non-adopted children. The results were compiled after researchers assessed over 600 adopted children and 540 who were not adopted.

"Children who had been adopted scored higher than non-adoptees on continuous measures of behavioral and emotional problems, the team found. Adoptees were about twice as likely to have had contact with a mental health professional and of having a disruptive behavior disorder..."

The study's lead author, Margaret Keyes, was quick to say that this information shouldn't deter people from adopting. It is instead meant to make adoptive-parents aware of potential problems so they can be looking for signs and preparing to handle any of these issues, should they arise. Source: MedicineNet.

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Labels: adoptees, mental_health, troubled_children

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Vietnam has announced that it will not renew a bilateral adoption agreement with the U.S. The announcement comes in the wake of a U.S. Embassy report that outlines corruption in the adoption system.

"In its nine-page report, the US Embassy said some American adoption agencies paid orphanage officials as much as US$10,000 per referral, while others took them on shopping sprees and junkets to the US in return for a flow of babies. It said questions arose after routine investigations turned up widespread inconsistencies in adoption paperwork."

The director of Vietnam's International Adoption Agency called the U.S. report "groundless," saying the United States has been uncooperative. As of July 1, the country will stop accepting American adoption applications. Source: Shanghai Daily

Boarding schools for girls with ADHD, like New Leaf Academy, can help in ways that traditional schools can't. By understanding the needs of girls with ADHD the caring faculty and staff at New Leaf teach middle school aged girls how to control their behaviors and succeed academically.

Labels: international, orphanages, bans

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In its 2nd annual list of the "Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in America," the Dave Thomas Foundation listed Subaru of America in the #2 spot.

"Rankings for the Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in America list are based on the amount of financial assistance and paid leave provided. The foundation compiled the results from survey data collected from 919 U.S. employers."

Rita Soronen, executive director of the Dave Thomas Foundation, said that since the list first appeared in 2007, more than 50 organizations have established or improved their adoption benefits. Source: The Auto Channel

Labels: adoption_friendly, workplace

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Pregnancy, and giving birth to a child, is filled with moments; telling friends and family, hearing the heartbeat, feeling the baby kick. A woman who's adopting may feel a sense of loss over not experiencing those moments, but she can be encouraged by the special moments that are unique to adoption.

"I suppose a woman who hopes to become pregnant might start by researching various fertility methods, charting, and so on. We started by researching types of adoption... We heard about a local couple who had adopted through an agency for which we had received rave reviews... With one phone call to the director, we made our decision, and experienced one of our first 'moments'."

Other moments for adoptive couples include choosing the country from which to adopt, preparing the house for a home study, and getting the call that a child has been selected. Not every mom becomes a mom the same way, but they all have a journey that ends with an amazing gift. Source: Adoptive Families

Labels: preparations, mothers, fertility

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This coming Sunday, May 11, the Renaissance Austin Hotel is hosting and funding a special "Salute to Foster/Adoptive Moms." The event will include brunch and a special program that honors moms who make unique contributions through adoptive and foster parenthood.

"This year's event brings a new perspective with a focus on the mother's personal needs for self rejuvenation and relaxation. The 12 moms who have been invited with their families will receive a gift bag of cosmetics, donated by Saks Fifth Avenue."

The hotel is also providing a masseuse for neck and shoulder massages, and a photographer to take family portraits. Source: PR Web

Labels: support, mothers, holidays

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Circuit Court Judge David Gooding cheerfully wished Catherine "Happy Mother's Day" at the completion of her adoption proceedings last Friday. Catherine's adoption of her 17-year-old grandson marked the 400th adoption in the state of Florida since July 1st of last year.

"[Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff] Kottkamp said statistics show Florida has made great strides when it comes to placing foster children in homes. 'We have shortened the average waiting time it takes to find a home for a child from 14 months to 10 months,' said Kottkamp."

The adoption ceremonies on Friday (40 of them in all) also marked the unveiling of the state's new website "Explore Adoption: Finding Families for Florida's Kids." The website it part of Governor Charlie Crist's new initiative to promote public adoptions.

Labels: foster_families, milestones

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Her name - Elle Conner - isn't real, but her story is, and she tells it beautifully in "Miracle in the City of Angels: An International Adoption Story."

"As a mother who has experienced raising biological children and an adoptive child, Conner communicates the emotions and events of adoption in a language everyone can relate to, as when she describes the moment the family receives 'The Call.'"

"The Call," of course, is what all adoptive parents wait for: the moment when someone on the other end of a telephone tells them they can come and get their child. Connor and co-author Erin Brown Conroy are already making plans for two follow-up books that will follow the family as they adjust, bond, and grow. Source: Kalamazoo Gazette

Labels: encouragement, support, emotions

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Julie and Dana Cadman have three children, all of whom were adopted from Russia. The joy they've experienced from adoption has caused them to form the Cadman Foundation, which helps families raise the money needed for adoption.

"The Cadman Foundation aids adoptions by providing grants to families who are raising funds for the opportunity. With domestic or international adoptions costing up to $40,000, the Cadmans know many families can't pursue a child without incurring major debt."

To date, the Cadman Foundation has provided $20,000 in grants to six families who have adopted internationally. Source: Observe & Eccentric Newspapers, Rochester Hills, Michigan

Labels: Russia, advocacy, financial_assistance

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It's a common problem in every state; foster care kids who age out of the system without being adopted. Last week, an adoption coalition met in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to try and find solutions.

"A recent study by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families found that over the past five years, nearly 1,000 children in foster care aged out without ever having been adopted... Aged out foster kids often don't complete high school and face increased risks of becoming young parents, being homeless and criminal activities."

The best solution, of course, is adoption. Though most states provide some assistance for kids who age out of foster care, the assistance typically ends with the person turns 21. Source: KAIT Television, Jonesboro, Arkansas

Programs for troubled teens, like the one offered at Turn-About Ranch, can help teenagers and their families get past old hurts and move toward successful and healthy relationships.

Labels: advocacy, foster_care, homelessness

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