Family & Adoption Services

What is an International Adoption Home study and why is it necessary?

An International Adoption Home study is a report completed by a social worker that in many ways is similar to your autobiography. There are specific topics that must be included in order to satisfy the state of New Jersey as well as your placing agency; USCIS; and the country you are adopting from. Such topics include, but are not limited to, your background; marriage (if this applies); personality; parenting experience; health, including treatment for mental health and substance abuse problems; religion; job history; finances; home and community; understanding of international adoption issues and risks; acceptance of a child from another country; willingness and ability to help child remain connected to their country of origin; and your overall readiness for adoptive parenting. In addition, there are criminal clearances that must be completed. A completed and approved home study is required for all prospective adoptive parents.


Why are there so many fees?

In addition to your home study fee; placing agency fee; and USCIS fee, other adoption fees may include money to provide basic necessities for children in the orphanages; salaries for their caretakers; in-country representatives; and adoption officials; fees for apostilling and translating documents; and humanitarian donations. It is important to know which fees are local (U.S.); international or travel costs. You can compare fees from different agencies before selecting one.


Can the fees change?

Yes, although most programs are stable and huge fee increases are unlikely. Travel fees are the most unpredictable and are affected by the time of year during which you travel.


When does my child become a U.S. citizen?

Your child will automatically become a U.S. citizen following his/her adoption and return to the U.S.


What is the difference between a relative adoption and a non-relative adoption?

A relative adoption occurs when a U.S. citizen adopts a family member, under the age of 16, from another country. Applicants still need an adoption home study by Catholic Charities or another licensed N.J. agency, but do not need to apply to a placing agency.

Applicants must adhere to the adoption laws of the placing country. Sometimes the child has already been adopted in country before applicants have a home study done.

USCIS must approve the home study; all criminal clearances must be favorable for USCIS approval. A non-relative adoption does not involve family members. This type of adoption requires a home study by Catholic Charities or another licensed N.J. adoption agency; application to a placing agency who facilitates the referral of a child to applicants and USCIS approval. Non-relative adoptions also require post-placement reports sent to the placing country.


What is the referral process?

The referral of a child differs depending on the policies of the international program. Most countries allow the agency’s in-country representatives or country adoption officials to match children with waiting applicants. Recommendations for age, gender and health of the child are included in the home study and are taken into account. In some situations, the placing agency’s U.S. staff is also able to make referrals.

Once a referral is received, adoptive parents must have it evaluated by a pediatrician or pediatric developmental specialists who are familiar with international adoption.

Most referral information is limited or incomplete and may raise questions as to the child’s health and development. Additional information may not be available and you may have concerns that cannot be addressed. At times, it may feel like a “leap of faith” that only you, the adoptive parent, can decide to take.

The good news is that most children who have suffered orphanage delays are able to catch up to their American peers within a relatively short period. Interventions, such as a referral to an Early Childhood Development program, can provide speech, physical and occupational therapies.


What other risks are there in an International Adoption?

Countries may close or change their adoption policies prior to a family receiving a referral; losing the referral they had accepted; and also losing some fees. Larger agencies such as CHSFS, have multiple programs and can generally offer adoptive parents a different program.

Programs may also experience unexpected delays in both referrals and travel if the country is undergoing a significant change. Each country determines its’ own policies and procedures which U.S. agencies are subject to. Cultural values often determine a country’s adoption policies, which accounts for the disparity among nations involved in international adoption.

The adoption laws of each country supersede U.S. laws regarding adoption. It is therefore unlikely that adoptive parents having an adoption related problem abroad would receive assistance from the U.S. government. Other problems such as losing a wallet or passport or even being jailed should be reported to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate within the country.

Another possible but unlikely event is if a child is reclaimed by a birth parent after he/she was referred to an adoptive parent. Although this is traumatic, another referral will be made as soon as possible.


How Do I Choose a Country?

• Do I/we have a special interest in a particular country culture or part of the world?
• What are the requirements of a particular country and do I/we meet them?
• Can I/we accept the challenges i.e. travel requirements of adopting from a particular country?
• Am I/we to limited to social and medical history on my child?
• How will I/we handle unexpected delays and/or changes in the adoption procedures of a particular country?
• How will I/we maintain my/our child’s cultural heritage?

Each country determines their own policies regarding the arrest history of a prospective adoptive parent. Some countries are stricter than others while some will consider families on a case to case basis. It is important that you share your history with your home study and placing agencies so they can guide you as to which countries are available. The type and date of arrest are taken into account and we have been able to help families, with arrest histories to successfully adopt internationally.


What are the orphanages like?

They vary a great deal both within a country and also from country to country. An orphanage setting means that children are cared for as part of a group, by caretakers in an institutional setting. Even the best orphanages cannot provide one on one attention and stimulation that children need. Orphanage life is very structured and individual needs cannot always be met. Despite these obstacles, many children are healthy and “orphanage delays” can be reversed following placement in an adoptive home.


Will I be able to adopt internationally if I have a medical condition?

Each country determines its’ own criteria, regarding adoptive parents’ medical issues. It is important to discuss this early in the home study process so that you select a country that is flexible. Some countries accept certain medical conditions but not others, including, but not limited to, heart disease; cancer (in remission); history of substance abuse and mental illness. A country may require further medical reports and prognoses from your medical specialists prior to approval.


What is a dossier?

This is a collection of documents required for international adoptions that is submitted to the adoption officials in the country you are adopting from.

Many of the required documents have to be authenticated by state officials in the U.S. The purpose of the dossier is to ensure that applicants meet the specific requirements of the country and must be received and approved before a child referral can be made.

Both Catholic Charities and your placing agency are available to assist you with your dossier.


What kind of health information will I receive on my child?

This varies from country to country and may be a factor in your selection of a country. Generally, there is current information on the child’s health and overall development as well as whatever previous pediatric information is available. Some countries provide birth information (if known); lab results; history of vaccinations and progress notes. Typically there are a few pictures but fewer videos than in the past. If birth family information is known this too should be made available to you.

However, it is hard to guarantee a child’s health status as there are usually unknowns, such as genetic or birth records. There may also be gaps in the information depending on where and with whom the child was living.

Some common conditions among children living in orphanages are colds; upper respiratory infections; malnutrition resulting in rickets; intestinal parasites and developmental delays. Most, if not all of these conditions, respond to adequate medical care and a healthier living environment.

Remember, all referrals must be evaluated by a medical specialist of your choice who can advise you regarding the medical issues and risks involved.


What are some "red flags"?

• Head size is important information for your consulting medical expert to evaluate. A small head or microcephaly can indicate malnutrition; fetal alcohol exposure or a birth defect that is either genetic or the result of a birth injury.
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome refers to a condition that affects some children exposed pre-natally to alcohol. Signs of this disorder include developmental delays; mental health problems and language and growth delays. There are usually specific facial features i.e. thin upper lip, that are included in a diagnosis of FAS. Children at risk of having FAS need to be assessed for hearing disorder and muscle tone or the way they move their body.
• Prematurity - Children born prematurely overseas have the same risk factors as U.S. children born prematurely. Unfortunately, comparable medical care and interventions are often not available, so the risk for hearing impairment; poor growth and developmental delays is increased. A medical review will help you to better understand your child’s needs if he/she were born prematurely.
• Growth Rate - It is to be expected that children living in orphanages are at risk for growth delays. It is estimated that a child loses one month of growth for every three months living in an orphanage. Your medical consultant will evaluate risk based on your child’s head size and other measurements. Mild malnutrition is reversed with a better diet and vitamins.
• Developmental Milestones - Your medical consultant will evaluate written reports as well as pictures to assess your child’s developmental age. A 1 year old child who is the size of a 9 month old should be at the 9 month developmental level. Extreme delays could indicate long-term challenges.
• Social Skills - Your child’s social interactions and language skills will be assessed based on reports from his/her orphanage caretakers. How a child responds to his/her caretakers as well as other children is an important assessment tool for predicting future attachment to an adoptive family. This includes behaviors such as responding to commands; seeking and giving affection and seeking comfort from familiar adults when hurt or upset.

• The International Adoption Clinic at Johns Hopkins Hospital
• International Adoption Clinic at University of Minnesota
• Yale International Adoption Clinic
• Center for Disease Control
• Center for International Adoption

Post-placement reports are sent to your child’s country to reassure them that he/she is healthy, well cared for, and well adjusted to their new home. They contribute to a trusting relationship between the U.S. and placing countries around the world. As such, they are critical to the ongoing success of future international adoptions. Catholic Charities as your home study agency is responsible for following specific timelines in submitting post-placement reports. The number and frequency of reports is mandated by each individual country.

A typical report includes all current social and health information on your child; physical description; child’s adjustment to family; child care; daily activities, including meals, bedtime and play; behavior issues, if any; interests and talents; extended family’s involvement with child; and parent(s) adjustment.


Should I re-adopt in the U.S.?

While it is not necessary, as you will have already legally adopted your child in-county (there are exceptions to this) it is recommended that you do so. A re-adoption will provide you with a N.J. birth certificate in English which will be helpful in the future.


Is my child a U.S. citizen?

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 eliminates the need for families to obtain citizenship for their child through a separate naturalization process. For information regarding the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, visit http://adoption.state.gov/pdf/FA2schildcitizenshipactof2000.pdf.


Can I apply for a Social Security number for my child?

For information about how to obtain a social security number for your child and verify their U.S. citizenship with the Social Security Administration visit: http://www.ssa.gov/immigration/children.htm
http://www.jcics.org/ssn.htm

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