Intercountry Adoptions

Fact: Almost all children eligible for international adoption have at least some degree of special needs. The vast majority of children have moderate, manageable, or correctable conditions. Very few children waiting for adoptive families are severely disabled. Special needs can range from developmental, physical, emotional, and even trauma. It is important to be aware that older children have spent more time living in institutional or foster care settings, so they will bring unique challenges and joys to their adoptive family. We mention trauma as a potential special need because some children have experienced abuse or neglect.
We understand that adopting a child with special needs is not a good fit for every family, but many families grow to be more open has they research different types and degrees of medical conditions, or as they learn that “special need” does not always mean a physical or intellectual challenge. During your home study, your social worker will assist you as you consider the special needs your family may be open to.

Fact: Due to shifts in culture and greater efforts on the part of country governments and advocacy organizations, more children are now able to join domestic adoptive families in their home country. This gives them the opportunity to grow up in the country and culture of their birth. Additionally, many countries central adoption authority designate the first 6+ months of a relinquished or abandoned child’s life to look for a family domestically. Once this option has been exhausted, the central adoption authority will consider international adoption for the child. Typically, we do not see internationally adopted children joining families before the age of 3.

Fact: While it is true that the majority of children available for international adoption reside in some sort of institutional care, it is not always an orphanage. Orphanages are the most known for having available children for international adoption; however, most counties also have foster care and group homes like we do in Wisconsin. These foster and group homes can have available children for international adoption.

Fact: While international adoption can be a lengthy process most families are completing their adoption within 24 months from the time they apply. Some of this wait time is dependent on how quickly a family completes their dossier paperwork. It is important to also note that timeframes do vary among countries. There are many children waiting for their forever families, so the best time to start is once you feel called to begin the journey of growing your family.