China
Costa Rica
Counseling Program
Kazakhstan
Korea
Mexico
Nepal
Philippines
Ukraine
Waiting Children
SWAN and Post-Permanency
Upcoming Events

Information

Janet Mintzer, PSBI's President and CEO,and Leonette Boiarski in Costa Rica pictured with our Attorney, Sergio Mena and translator, Roberto Castillo

Currently, all three families in the Costa Rica program are at the beginning stages of the application process.

Pearl S. Buck International officially received notice of accreditation by the Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI) in September of 2009.  Welcome House has been providing adoption services nationally and internationally since it’s inception in 1949 and last placed a child from Costa Rica in 1984 prior to the closure in country. 
 
Children needing families

• Current Costa Rican law prohibits adoption of children less than four years of age, except in cases in which the child is part of a family group. Sibling groups of two to five members ranging in age from 2-13 are available.
  
• Children who have suffered abandonment, emotional deprivation or physical, emotional or sexual abuse that necessitated the intervention of the Costa Rican State and the placement in a protective shelter are in need of homes; children whose biological parents or other family members struggle with drug addition, alcoholism, prostitution, homelessness; children with chronic illnesses or disabilities also are looking for placement. Needs can range from mild to severe.
  
• Children are cared for in orphanage settings, foster homes or in the custody of a relative or friend. Children may also remain in the custody of a biological parent prior to formal relinquishment of custody before a judge.

Requirements

• Couples must be married 5 years. Single parents are eligible.
• Applicants must be between the ages of 25 and 55.  Older families will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Applicants are accepted from both inside and outside our direct service area.  
• At least one applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

Costs

• Welcome House Service Fee is $9,600 (outside direct service area $7,700)
• Document preparation: Approximately $1,200
• Overseas Fees $5,000
• Travel and in-country processing is estimated at $4,500 per couple.  The costs of in-country and international travel vary and are the responsibility of the family.

Procedure
Families apply to Welcome House, participate in the home study process, file the CIS I-800A form and complete the dossier required. After Costa Rica receives the dossier, a technical review is conducted by PANI professionals and the results of this review are presented in a technical psychosocial report to the National Adoptions Council. A legal decree approving the application is sent to Welcome House and the file is added to the bank of families suitable for international adoption. PANI’s National Adoption Council then matches the family with a child.  Information about the child is sent to Welcome House for presentation to the family.  Upon the family’s consulting with their pediatrician and accepting a match with a child, you will apply to USCIS for provisional approval to adopt that particular child/ren. After this, you will submit a visa application to a Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy.  If the Consular Office determines that the child appears eligible to immigrate to the United States, he/she will notify the Costa Rican adoption authority (Article 5 letter). The family then travels to complete the bonding period and judicial adoption process in country and then escorts the child to the United States. 

Time Frame Estimate
Because this is a new program for Welcome House, and because Costa Rica has not reopened for international adoptions since 2003, it is difficult to accurately predict the time frames for referral and travel.  The following are our best estimates at present but they may be subject to change.  The average time from completion of country application (dossier) to match with a child is estimated to be 6 to 8 months. The average time from match to travel is 1 month.
 
Travel
Both parents must travel for the matching and court hearing. Welcome House will assist with accommodation arrangements. Staff from our San Jose office escorts the family through the in country process.  We are anticipating that both parents will be in country for 4-6 weeks until the court hearing is completed, at that point one parent may return to the US, and the other parent will stay in Costa Rica until the passport and visa materials are complete (approximately another 10 days).

Costa Rica Yahoo! Group
Join our Costa Rica Yahoo! Group for the most up-to-date program information. Visit WHCostaRicaAdoption-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to join!

Adoption-related counseling can include issues of grief and loss related to birth family, identity formation issues, difficulty trusting others or feeling connected to others, or fears of losing other people in one’s life.  When issues related to one’s adoption are not addressed, there can be difficulty in relationships with others, misplaced anger, and lack of self awareness.  Not all struggles in life for the adoption triad are related to adoption, but it is important to explore this part of one’s experience to help reach healthy resolution.

Counseling services are available for anyone whose life has been touched by adoption, regardless of the agency that you worked with for your adoption. Counseling sessions are facilitated by:

Lauren Cogan, MSW, LSW.  Ms. Cogan is an experienced therapist in family based mental health services, individual, family and group counseling and also has experience with child welfare services and Autism. Lauren was recently certified in completing functional behavioral assessments.  Ms. Cogan’s coverage area is the upper and middle sections of Montgomery County and all of Bucks County.
 
Janice Toole, MSW, LSW.  Ms. Toole has been working with adoptive families for 15 years providing case management, counseling and home studies to families interested in adopting.  She is aware of the cultural diversity that will come into play when adopting a child from another country and also the attachment and loss issues that will be involved in any adoption. Ms. Toole has also worked with adoptees under Virginia law helping them with their search for their birth families.  Ms. Toole’s coverage area to provide counseling is within a 30 mile radius of Richmond, Virginia.

The counseling fee is $90 for a 50 minute session.  Evening and weekend appointments are available. Please call 215-249-0100 to make an appointment or for further information. 

Mexico City at night.

Please continue to watch for further updates in the Welcome News.  If you are interested in learning more about the program, email lboiarski@pearlsbuck.org to be added to the list of families who will be the first to learn of our accreditation.

Eligibility for adoptive parents for Mexico includes those who are:  married or single, at least 25 years of age, having good moral character and being able to demonstrate the means to care for the physical and educational needs of a child.  Stay in-country is three months after the one- to three- week bonding period (the judge can waive the lengthy stay depending on the bonding process that has occurred).  In addition, the Desarollo Integral de Familia (DIF) is working with the judicial system in country to make this time shorter. 

Children available for adoption through DIF orphanages are over the age of four, are siblings (where at least one of the children is over the age of four) or have special needs. There are private orphanages throughout Mexico, in addition to the government run orphanages, and we are not sure if children from the private locations would come through the central authority or if they would be registered with the central authority and then adopted through private attorneys.

Congratulations to Mark and Amanda! Their dossier was sent to Nepal in September!!

Status of the Nepal Adoption Program
The September edition of Welcome News announced that a new Minister for the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Welfare was sworn in on September 2nd.  Later in the month, a small group of referrals was released. Approximately 25 referrals were sent to American families. Although Welcome House has not received any referrals yet, we are hopeful that we will receive some in the coming months. In other good news, many of the folks that received referrals in May 2009 were able to complete their adoptions in the past few weeks. It’s nice to see things moving in a positive direction!

Part of the process of issuing a child a visa to come to the U.S. for the purpose of adoption is an investigation to ensure that the child meets the American government’s definition of an orphan.  The Department of State (DOS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have specific criteria regarding which children are adoptable, often called the “orphan definition.”  This is to ensure, among other things, that children are not separated from their birth families needlessly.  Although the child’s documents have been reviewed and approved by the foreign government, it is not unusual for DOS and USCIS to want to verify the facts that are in those documents. 

Welcome House saw this most recently in Vietnam, where USCIS and DOS actively investigated the cases of many of the children adopted from that country.  We firmly believe that this provided an additional layer of protection to the rights of the children, the birth families, and the adoptive families by ensuring that the children being adopted were truly in need of permanent adoptive families.

We are pleased to see that this is being instituted in Nepal as well.  Admittedly, it does add another step to the adoption process and may affect some of the time frames.  However, it also adds in additional safeguards for the children and the families that love them.  DOS and USCIS may be instituting a process of prescreening the children’s paperwork and completing any necessary investigations before families travel so as to avoid families being stuck in Nepal while the investigations are completed.  We are hoping to learn more about this from the staff at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu.  This prescreening is also something we saw instituted in Vietnam and it was quite successful.  It meant that, by the time that families traveled to Vietnam to adopt their children, they could be assured that any investigations had been completed and that they would not face a longer-than-usual stay in country.  Perhaps more importantly, they could feel reassured that the child they were adopting truly was in need of an adoptive family.

An adoption office in shambles in the aftermath of the typhoon.

Typhoons and Flooding
The biggest news from the Philippines program this month is the recent typhoons that have hit the Philippines, especially the greater Manila area, and its effect on Child Caring Agencies (CCAs) in these areas. We have confirmed that at least three CCAs in Manila have been affected by flooding. We are currently preparing to accept donations which will be distributed to address the greatest need of those affected. Please check our homepage for details in the upcoming week.

The Ukraine program is open and accepting applications for families looking to adopt children over the age of six. Please call or email Leonette Boiarski at 215-249-0100 ext. 137 lboiarski@pearlsbuck.org for further details.

Several times a year, we receive information about specific waiting children from Korea, China, and the Philippines. We allow one family at a time to review a child’s information. If it is noted that a child’s file is under review, you are still welcome to contact us and we will share the child’s information with you if or when the information becomes available.

We are able to place children with special needs and older children from Costa Rica, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Nepal as well. However, the process is different for children in these countries. Families hoping to adopt a waiting child from one of these countries would submit their dossier and will then be matched with a child. 

If you would like more information about the Kazakhstan or Ukraine programs, contact Leonette Boiarski at lboiarski@pearlsbuck.org or 215-249-0100 ext. 137.

For information about our Nepal program, contact Heather Carter-Tryon at hcartertryon@pearlsbuck.org or 215-249-0100 ext. 136.

If you want to learn about new waiting child referrals when we receive them, join our Waiting Children yahoo group. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/welcomehousewaitingchildren/ and click Join This Group.

Waiting Children in Korea
Good news one of the children featured in previous newsletters, “Jason,” has been matched with a family!  “Sam” is still waiting for his family, although his file is currently under review.  Please call Amy Durie at (215) 249-0100 ext. 119, if you would like to be the next family to consider Sam's information. You can find more information about Sam in the Waiting Child section of September's newsletter.

Waiting Children in China
We currently have several waiting children from China.  A short summary about each child is listed below.  In order to protect the children’s privacy, we have changed their names and will not be posting photos.  To receive additional information about any of these children, please contact Becki Buck at bbuck@pearlsbuck.org. 

“George” is a two-year-old little boy, date of birth 8/07.  He was born with congenital meningocele, a spinal cord defect, for which he received surgery in September of 2008 to correct. The surgery was successful. No other health or developmental concerns are apparent. He likes to play games outdoors with other children and enjoys listening to music. George is loved in the orphanage, where he has lived since he was one month old.  He likes to wave his hands and is not afraid of unfamiliar people.

“Gloria” is an easy-going and happy two-year-old little girl, date of birth 9/07. She is diagnosed with Rachischisis, which is a neural tube defect. In December 2007, she had a successful surgery to repair her myelomeningocele, a form of spina bifida. She will require follow-up medical care. Gloria is extroverted and sometimes strong-willed. She appears to be developmentally on target and can say up to five words. She likes to sing, listen to music and run around. Gloria gets along well with others. She is currently living in a foster home.

“Patrick” is a four-year-old little boy, date of birth 3/05. He has a genital anomaly, possibly ambiguous genitalia, and a right foot inversion. He wears an orthopedic shoe and walks with a limp. He is able to dress himself and wash his hands independently. Patrick is talkative and his favorite toys are guns and cars.  No developmental concerns are apparent. 

“Nathan” is a four-year-old little boy, date of birth 9/05.  He has a great smile and likes to imitate others.  He has a genital anomaly (no scrotum) and was born prematurely with a low birth weight. He has experienced some speech delay, but can now talk in three- and four-word sentences.  He is energetic and loves to play.  No other medical or developmental concerns are apparent.

“Danni” is a lovely three-year-old little girl, date of birth 6/06.  Danni loves to cuddle with her caretakers and has an adorable smile. She has a history of delayed development.  At one and a half years, she had slightly high muscular tension and there was more flexibility on her left side than her right. She could roll over and hold her bottle, but was not yet crawling or standing. Danni has lived in the orphanage since she was a newborn. More updated information has been requested for Danni.

“Jessica” is a 10-year-old young lady, date of birth 3/99. She is medically healthy. Jessica is charming and acts in an adult manner. She was described as outgoing, polite and responsible. She has received a good student award at school and was noted to be average to above average in her academics. There is some question as to her IQ level, as testing has revealed differing levels of intelligence. The most recent testing results showed her to have low to average intelligence.

“Annie” is a sweet young lady who was born in November, 1998. She was born with aproctia (no anus) and a vaginal-rectal fistula. She received reconstructive surgery in December of 1998.  In April of 2005 she had ureter urinary bladder replantation, which was successful. She has mild swelling in her right kidney. Annie’s physical growth and development is normal. She gets along well with children and adults. Annie wants to be adopted and have a family like the other children at school.

“Kyle” is a playful young man who was born in January, 2006. He likes to play football and to play with cars.  He is curious and likes to look at and touch everything. He has a skin rash on his face and back. Kyle was diagnosed with epilepsy, but with medication he has had no further episodes.  He is developmentally on-target and has developed an attachment with his caregivers at the orphanage.

“Michael” is an active young man born in May, 2005.  He has had recurrent tumors in his throat (throat papillary epithelioma) for which treatment included a tracheotomy. He is described as bright and clever.  He likes to take walks and gets along well with other children.  He expresses his wants with gestures.

“Paul” is a handsome little boy born in November, 2008.  He loves to interact with his caretakers and smiles whenever he sees them.  At seven months of age he could roll over and stand holding on to support.  He laughs and imitates sounds.  He has been diagnosed with hypospadius (abnormality of the penis).

Waiting Children in the Philippines
We currently have four waiting children from the Philippines that have received grants from Brittany’s Hope.  There is a bit of information listed below.  If you have any questions or would like to learn more about any of these children, please contact Heather Carter-Tryon at hcartertryon@pearlsbuck.org or 215-249-0100 ext. 136.

“Jesse” is a nine-year-old boy who is currently living with a foster family.  He is described as playful at times, but also follows the rules of the family. He completes his chores and then enjoys using his free time for play.  Jesse has average achievement in school; he has learned to read both English and Filipino. He is a sociable child who has good relationships with his teacher, classmates, and peers. Jesse had a very difficult experience early on so he will need a family that can help him manage his feelings of loss and help him to feel safe and loved in a family. Jesse has received a $5,000 grant from Brittany’s Hope Foundation to assist with his adoption!!

“Vanessa” - This sweetie had a tough start in life. She was admitted to the orphanage at three years old, but was so malnourished that she was closer to the size of a five-month-old. Since coming to the orphanage, she has been showing good growth; just a year after admission to the orphanage she is now the size of a two-year, nine-month-old. She is a playful, active, and cheerful child who is still delayed in some areas of development. At almost five years of age, she is just beginning to talk and cannot yet feed herself. However, she can stand and walk. Vanessa has received a $5,000 grant from Brittany’s Hope Foundation to assist with her adoption!!

“Seth” - This handsome young man is described as being generous, helpful, sensitive, quiet, and eager to learn. He experienced some very difficult things early in his life and would benefit from a family that could provide him a feeling of stability and safety. He is "naturally benevolent" and struggles with low self-esteem and anxiety. His behaviors are normal for a child his age. His adoptive family will need to help him work through complicated feelings resulting from his early life experiences. Seth has received a $5,000 grant from Brittany’s Hope Foundation to assist with his adoption!!

“Andrew” - This cutie has big beautiful eyes and an engaging smile. He is a cheerful boy who grins and giggles when his name is called. He loves to be the topic of conversation and, although he is nonverbal, he interacts through facial expressions and some sounds.  He has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and receives physical and occupational therapy regularly. An evaluation done when he was five years old indicated that his developmental skill levels ranged between three months and 12 months of age. Andrew has received a $5,000 grant from Brittany’s Hope Foundation to assist with his adoption!!

Upcoming Trainings of Interest

October 22 - 24, 2009
The Pennsylvania State Resource Family Association (PSRFA) will be hosting their 33rd annual conference in Grantville, PA.  The title for the conference is “Homeward Bound…The Journey.”  This conference is designed primarily for resource families (aka foster, kinship, preadoptive, and adoptive families) but may be of interest to professionals as well.  For more information, go to http://www.psrfa.org/psrfa_8-21-09_020.htm.

October 28, 2009
Jewish Family and Children’s Services in Philadelphia will be hosting a training called “Grief, Separation and Loss and the Impact It Has on Siblings” on October 28th from 1 to 2:30 p.m.  The training will be held at 1501 North Broad Street, Suite 14 in Philadelphia.  To RSVP, please contact Heather Carter-Tryon at hcartertryon@pearlsbuck.org.

November 5 & 6, 2009
Three Rivers Adoption Council and Family Design Resources are hosting their first annual conference on diversity in Monroeville, PA.  The conference’s title is “Diversity: It’s not just black and white.”  For more information, or to register, go to http://www.3riversadopt.org/Diversity2009.asp. 

November 14, 2009
Together as Adoptive Parents and the Philadelphia Department of Human Services will be hosting their 8th annual adoption/permanency conference on November 14 at Deliverance Evangelistic Church, 2001 West Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia.  The keynote speaker will be Claudia Fletcher, social worker and adoptive mother of 12 children, all adopted.  There will also be workshops focusing on trauma and its effect on children, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, drug use, and many other topics relevant to adoptive families.  For more information or to obtain a registration form, visit TAP’s website, http://www.taplink.org/events.htm. 

Upcoming Matching Events and Match Parties

November 18, 2009
Montgomery County Children and Youth will be hosting their 5th annual matching event on November 18th from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.  It will be held at Montgomery County Human Services Center at 1430 Dekalb Street in Norristown.  There will be information about children waiting for families.  In addition, there will be live music, a play space for children, and refreshments.  To RSVP please contact Pamela Martin at 610-278-5829 or pmartin@montcopa.org.

The National Adoption Center will be hosting a teen match party for waiting children in New Jersey in fall, 2009.  For more information go to http://www.adopt.org/ and click on the survey questions for families interested in adopting teens.

As a reminder, matching events can be sponsored by county Children and Youth agencies, private adoption agencies, or adoption organizations. Adoptive families will have the opportunity to talk with a variety of agencies about the children in their care, without meeting the children themselves. Typically the attendees at matching events are approved adoptive families, adoption agency representatives, and representatives from the county Children and Youth agencies. Match parties are events that bring together approved adoptive families and children waiting for families. They can be sponsored by county Children and Youth agencies, private adoption agencies, or adoption advocacy groups, such as the National Adoption Center. These typically include a day of fun, child-centered activities in which both families and children can participate.  Attendees at match parties typically include children waiting for families (and who are legally free for adoption), approved adoptive families, adoption agency representatives, and representatives from the county Children and Youth agencies.

Events at Pearl S. Buck International

Mar. 1, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m.:"Developmental Disabilities: The Child Who Never Grew"

Apr. 9, 10, 11, 2010, 2 p.m. daily: "Quilt Literature Presentations"

May 3, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m.: "Bucks County Gardens"