Dozens of Haitian children have arrived in Pittsburgh, on the heels of U.S. policy changes for visa requirements aimed at expediting adoption of Haitian orphanages. The new policy will affect about 900 children, all of whom had already been identified as orphans. But aid groups estimate that tens of thousands of children could have been orphaned in the recent earthquake.

"It normally takes three years to adopt a child from Haiti, because of a lengthy process required under Haitian law," the New York Times reported Jan. 20. "The Haitian government has had reason to be cautious; there are about 200 orphanages in Haiti, but United Nations officials say not all are legitimate. Some are fronts for traffickers who buy children from their parents and sell them to couples in other countries."

The change in U.S. policy will speed up the process for Haitian children whose adoptions have already begun but have yet to be finalized. A spokesman for U.S. Homeland Security told the Times that the department is walking a fine line -- trying to assist children who are truly orphans without separating children from relatives who are still alive.

Labels: haiti, adoption_laws

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

According to an Aug. 19 article by Meredith Thorn of the Marshfield News Herald, the biological mother of the child who is at the center of an illegal adoption investigation in Wisconsin has told officials that she didn't realize she was doing anything wrong:

Amanda M. Zblewski, 27, said she planned to put the child, now 16 months old, up for adoption through Lutheran Social Services. Zblewski testified as part of a preliminary hearing for Bobbi Jo Dolski, 32, who faces charges of abduction of another's child.

Zblewski said Dolski went with her to her final appointment in the adoption process with Lutheran Social Services.

Zblewski said Jason Dolski, 30, who is Bobbi Jo's husband, was present when the child was born. Jason Dolski put his name on the birth certificate, and Zblewski said she believed that was the legal way to adopt a child.

The Dolskis are now charged with several crimes, the News Herald reported, including abduction, neglect, and making a false statement on a birth certificate.

Labels: adoption_laws

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

For the past seven days, adoption of embryos has been legal in the U.S. state of Georgia. This law -- which went into effect July 1 -- is the first of its kind in the nation, according to an article by Stephen Gurr of the Gainesville Times:

The Option of Adoption Act was introduced by state Rep. James Mills, R-Chestnut Mountain, and is viewed as a victory for anti-abortion groups who want the law to recognize embryos in their earliest stages of development as people. ...

Daniel Becker, president of Georgia Right To Life, said the law could encourage adoptions and more in-vitro fertilizations with the estimated 40,000 embryos cryopreserved in Georgia fertilization clinics. Those who adopt the embryos, most only 2 or 3 days old, for in-vitro fertilization will be eligible for an $11,000 federal adoption credit under the new law, Becker said. ...

In the past, Georgians were allowed to "donate" embryos, but did not fully relinquish parental rights during the time a child was being brought to full term by another, which could potentially lead to court battles over custody.

Under the new law, people who adopt embryos will be eligible for an $11,000 federal adoption credit.

Labels: adoption_laws, embryo_adoption

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

When Tricia Parrish invited a monk from Nepal to speak to a community organization about his orphanage, she had no plans of adopting one of the children. But she took one look at little Dolker and felt an immediate connection. The monk agreed to adoption request by Tricia and her husband, Philip Kaake, and Dolker flew to the United States to begin her new life.

But as Lucinda Ryan reported in an April 25 article in the Contra Costa Times, governmental red tape has intruded upon the family's hopes for a "happily ever after" ending to their international adoption experience:

The family needed to finalize the adoption earlier this year. The four of them packed their bags and went to Nepal, anticipating they would all return to the U.S. But Nepal's new government hasn't yet completed developing its adoption laws. Dolker had to be left behind.

"It's heart-breaking," Philip Kaake said.

Though the family hopes the attorneys and connections they have in Nepal will soon bring good news about the adoption and they can fly back to bring Dolker home, they have no knowledge of when that may happen.

In addition to enduring the emotional challenge of having to leave their adopted daughter in Nepal, the family is also dealing with a considerable financial burden. Ryan's April 25 article indicated that the Kaake and Parrish have already spent $21,000 in travel and adoption-related fees, and they estimate that getting their adopted daughter back will cost at least $15,000.

Labels: international, adoption_laws, Nepal

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

An adoption bill that had already passed in the Kansas state House has now been endorsed by the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be sent to the full Senate for a vote. The bill amends adoption agency requirements.

"The bill says anybody advertising about dealing in adoptions must include whether they are licensed and if so, in what profession and who issued the license. The bill also says people can't promise a pregnant woman such things as child placement through adoption for using their services."

Though these kinds of issues have not been widespread in Kansas, they do occur. If the measure is passed, Kansas will join 17 other states that have similar laws.

Labels: legislation, adoption_laws, adoption_agencies

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Adoption as it exists today is relatively new. Though adoption, in some form or another, has been around for thousands of years, it was primarily used as a means of continuing male lineage, and little attention was paid to the adoptees care.

"In contrast, modern adoption laws and practices aim to promote child welfare and are regarded as an integral part of government efforts to protect the interests of the young."

Adoptions became more widespread following World War I, as the number of orphaned children increased dramatically. The rules governing adoption have continued to change, with more restrictions in some areas and less in others. For instance, though trans-racial adoptions were strongly opposed in the 1970s, they have now become common.

Turn-About Ranch offers help for troubled teens. Their working teen ranch is a great alternative to a troubled teen boot camp.

Labels: adoption_laws, heritage, history

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

International adoptions have increased dramatically in popularity over the last several years. Many people, however, still prefer domestic adoptions. Not only are they far less expensive, but they often take less time. There are some things to consider with regards to domestic adoptions.

"Know the laws in your state, and the state the agency is in (if it is an out-of-state agency). Every state has different laws regarding when a birthmother can relinquish her rights and at what point they become irreversible. Some states have a waiting period in between when a mother can sign relinquishments and when they are effective, and during that waiting period, the mother is fully able to change her mind."

You should also know the laws regarding the birth father's rights, whether open adoption is allowed or required, and what fees are associated with the adoption. Read more online.

Labels: adoption_laws, birth_parents, adoption_rights

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments