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Although we have been facilitating adoptions of healthy children from China for many years, in 2009 FAC was approved to begin placing special needs children from China. China periodically evaluates the work of accredited agencies, and FAC has consistently received excellent performance reviews. The positive working relationship with the Chinese government is due, in part, to our facilitator based in Beijing - Cai, Xi Jing. Ms. Cai has worked for FAC since the inception of our China adoption program in 1994 and is FAC’s representative with the CCAA and U.S. Consulate. She is an educated, competent professional who speaks fluent English as well as Mandarin. Based on her extensive experience, Ms. Cai is very knowledgeable regarding the international adoption of Chinese children. She oversees the adoption process of all FAC families, including those who adopt through the special needs program, monitoring cases as they move through the various departments of the CCAA. She assists with all travel plans and accompanies adoptive parents as they meet their child and complete the adoption in China. Ms. Cai shares FAC’s strong belief in the importance of personal service, and is available to assist with any need that may arise.
SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN NEEDING FAMILIES
There are many special needs children of all ages in need of adoptive families; these children are currently residing in orphanages (or occasionally foster homes) throughout China.
Although healthy Chinese children needing adoptive families are primarily girls, there are special needs children of both genders available for adoption. The youngest special needs children available for adoption are approximately 12-18 months of age at the time of placement, but most available children are considerably older. The special needs of these children in some cases is simply their older age, while others have correctable needs such as a cleft lip or palate, or orthopedic issues. Many children waiting for adoptive homes have more serious medical/developmental concerns and a wide range of needs. Please inquire with one of our offices to learn more about the types of special needs that are common.
“Referrals” of children include photographs and information regarding the child’s health and developmental status and daily routine. Any known medical information is also available, including but not limited to reports from hospitals or physicians that have treated the child’s condition. The information contained in child referrals is usually based on examinations done some time ago. For most children, family history is not available due to their history of abandonment.
Information regarding special needs children can only be accessed on the CCAA website by agencies that have been approved to place SN children from China. FAC routinely monitors this list with approved adoptive families in mind. Once a prospective adoptive family has a homestudy completed and approved by FAC and a dossier ready to be sent to China, we will begin reviewing the special needs list to see if any of the children who are available for placement meet the medical/developmental needs criteria that individual families have agreed upon with their social worker. FAC immediately contacts approved families when we have identified a child whose information we would like them to review. FAC will then “lock-in” that child’s file through the CCAA website, and the child information will be sent electronically for review and to be shared with any involved professional with whom the family wishes to consult. The CCAA only gives agencies 48 hours to respond once a child file is “locked” and therefore, adoptive families must make a decision quickly about whether or not they wish to proceed with adoption of a specific child.
Families who are considering a special needs adoption from China should identify a physician (preferably one who specializes in international adoption) with whom they can discuss and develop a list of medical/developmental needs that they would feel comfortable dealing with. We can provide a list of international adoption resources for you to consider. We also recommend that each adoptive family makes arrangements with their physician to have child information reviewed quickly after FAC has locked in a child file. During the homestudy process, families will complete a comprehensive medical needs checklist to help identify the types of needs that they are open to. This detailed information will be critical to help FAC successfully match each family with a Chinese special needs child.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
The pre-adoption process (application, adoption study, immigration approval, and dossier preparation) will take most applicants 4-6 months. Once this process is completed, FAC can begin monitoring the list of special needs children to identify a child. The “wait” time for matching an individual family with a child varies depending upon the severity of special needs the family will consider, as well as the age and gender of the child they wish to adopt.
Once a child is accepted by an adoptive family, FAC informs the CCAA of their interest in adopting the child, and we must wait for the CCAA to approve the match. The CCAA will then issue a letter to the adoptive parents inviting families to come to China to complete the adoption of their child. Plans for travel to China cannot be initiated until the approval letter has arrived. Families generally travel approximately 4-6 weeks later.
DO WE HAVE TO TRAVEL TO CHINA?
Yes! The adoption of a Chinese child will be processed and finalized in China. At least one parent must be present to complete the adoption and to apply for the child’s visa to enter the United States at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China. While it is possible for only one parent of a married couple to travel to complete the adoption and bring the child home, FAC recommends that both parents travel if at all possible. If you are already parenting children, they may also accompany you to China. The opportunity to visit and learn about your child’s country of birth is very special and may be a “once in a lifetime” experience. The time in China spent with your child before coming home to all the demands of daily living is a great way to begin the bonding process. Please be aware that if only one parent travels, additional legal processing in the US will be necessary to comply with immigration requirements in order for your child to become a U.S. citizen.
Most families spend two weeks in China. Families generally fly into Beijing, spend a few days sightseeing, and then fly to the province where their child resides. All American families must travel to the city of Guangzhou, China to apply for their child’s visa following the finalization of their adoption in the capital city of the province where their child resided. Ms. Cai will arrange sightseeing in Beijing, the provincial capital of your child’s orphanage, and in Guangzhou. Families return to the U.S. with their child as soon as the child’s visa has been issued. FAC provides extensive assistance with families’ travel plans. Ms. Cai makes all the arrangements for your adoption and stay within China – from uniting you with your child and completing the adoption to airfare, hotel accommodations, sightseeing, and even shopping!
WHO CAN ADOPT FROM CHINA?
FAC welcomes inquires from anyone interested in adopting from China. Families throughout the U.S. are welcome to apply. FAC will provide all services (homestudy, placement, post-placement) to Michigan and Ohio families. Families who reside in other states will receive some services from our “partner agencies”.
Marriage: Married couples not previously married must be married a minimum of 2 years. If previously married, couples must be married a minimum of 5 years. No more than 2 divorces per spouse are permitted. Single applicants are ineligible.
Age: Parents between the ages of 30-55 are eligible to adopt a child with special needs.
Education: Each applicant must have the minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Children: No more than 4 children under the age of 18 are allowed in the home. The youngest child must be at least one year old at the time of the dossier submission. Parents must agree to provide the adopted child with medical treatment, immunizations and blood transfusions if needed.
Income: Income from stable employment of $10,000 for each family member, including the adoptive child. Minimum of $80,000 in net assets.
Criminal Record: Applicants with no criminal convictions are preferred. Some exceptions can be made, depending on the nature of the crime and when it occurred. Contact FAC to discuss your personal situation prior to applying to adopt from China.
Health: Good health strongly preferred. Each applicant must have a body mass index of 40 or less. To determine body mass, refer to http://www.nhlbisupport.com. Applicants must have a normal life expectancy and/or no restrictions to their daily living. Infectious disease, chronic or long term physical or mental health diagnosis, and history of alcohol or drug abuse should be discussed with FAC prior to application to determine eligibility.
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Posted by : admin
Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 08:04 PM
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