Fort was already a teenager when he moved from Tanzania to Iowa. Though the adjustment was hard, he has managed to learn to speak English almost fluently and now looks like a typical American teen. But his life in America isn't secure.

"[Robin] Barber officially adopted Fort in Tanzania last summer and in Iowa in December, only to learn that at 17 he's too old to become a U.S. citizen as her son. And his student visa expires next month."

Barber and the rest of her family aren't sure how to resolve their situation, which is the result of what she calls "really poor advice." She has appealed to Iowa senators to write a law specific to Fort's case, but they're hesitant. Fort's biological family already approved the adoption, which Barber hopes will work in her - and her new son's - favor. Source: The Leaf Chronicle

Labels: legislation, citizenship, adoption_rights

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 1 Comment

Legislators in Connecticut have been presented with a bill that would change disclosure laws related to adoption. The bill would give adult adoptees the option of obtaining their original birth certificate.

"It also would allow birth parents to designate whether they eventually want to be contacted by the child, an intermediary or not at all."

A similar bill was vetoed two years ago by the state's governor, who feared the bill could potentially violate privacy rights of birth parents. Read more at WWLP.com.

Labels: legislation, birth_parents, adoption_rights

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Mark Lloyd-Selby is a senior social work practitioner who offers a personal perspective on how adoption cases are handled in the United Kingdom. His letter is written in response to an article by Kate Hilpern title Unfit to be a Mother, in which she questions the adoption system.

"Within Hilpern's article Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming presents the results [of new adoption performance indicators] as being rather different from the intention: 'What you wind up with is social workers under pressure to achieve targets.'... Neither my colleagues nor myself are aware of the targets Hemming refers to."

Selby goes on to assure readers that social workers can't be "steamrollered" into supporting an adoption. Read more at Guardian.co.uk.

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Labels: childrens_rights, adoption_rights, social_workers

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Canadians are trying to decide whether or not pictures should be included in on-line listings of children who are available for adoption. While a final decision hasn't been made yet, there are strong opinions on both sides.

"The majority opinion of those participating in the focus groups made up of professionals, parents and caregivers favored photo listing, although they felt there should be certain restrictions."

Those who opposed the idea expressed concerns about child trafficking, and making birth parents feel as though their children were being "marketed." Read more online.

Labels: adoption_agencies, adoption_rights, privacy

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

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