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Referrals

When a child is available for adoption, the country will match that child with adopting parents who can best suit his or her personal needs. Couples who are more open to either gender, various ages, or medical status will likely receive a referral more quickly than parents who want one particular type of child.

It is important to note that some countries do not allow pre-identification of children, so the parents will not receive a referral until they visit the country. When adopting parents receive a referral, their adoption agency will be notified. The social worker will call to tell the parents and will set up a meeting to show them the child's information. The parents will be able to view the child's medical records, social history and photographs (though some agencies withhold photographs until the parents accept the referral).

The amount of information that is available to the parents depends on the country. In some cases the medical history of the parents and a videotape might also be included with the referral. An adoption professional can advise the parents how much information they can expect to get based on the country they are adopting from. Parents are encouraged to take their time and deeply contemplate whether or not to accept a referral.

International Homestudies

Any adopting parent is required by all state laws to complete a homestudy before placement as part of the international adoption process. A homestudy gathers information about an adopting family such as their motivation to adopt, their social history, and their parenting plans. In some cases, homestudies may include some education about adoption.

The homestudy is written report that is developed over the course of several meetings, at least one of which takes place in the adopting couple's home. At the home visit, the social worker performing the homestudy can assess the home for the living conditions and safety of a child. It is important for parents to remember, that the social worker isn't going to fail the homestudy because the parents or the home isn't perfect. The social worker just needs to see that the potential adopting couple will make good parents and have a home that is safe and appropriate for a child.

Each homestudy can be completed differently. Although each state has some guidelines on what must be covered in a homestudy, each agency has their own way of compiling the information. Some homestudies are completed by working only with the adopting family, while other agencies may have some group classes at the beginning or the end of the process.

All homestudies, regardless of individual agency guidelines, will require medical records, a criminal background check, background information on each adopting parent, and a safety assessment of the home. The completed homestudy will be a several page overview of the adopting couple. The homestudy will tell birthparents and adoption professionals who the people wanting to adopt are, why do they want to adopt, are they ready to adopt a child, and will they be able to care for the needs of a child.

Finding a Child

Dossiers

A dossier (dos-ee-A) is a collection of documents containing information about the adopting parents that is required for all international adoptions. Completing the dossier is a process of compiling documents, having them notarized, and having the seals of the state, federal government and the government of the country of adoption (China adoption program, Russian program, Guatemalan program etc.).

Dossier requirements differ, but generally many legal documents (such as birth certificates and marriage licenses, international forms, the family's homestudy, and photographs are included in the dossier. The process of completing the dossier will take time. Documents such as birth certificates and marriage certificates must be original copies obtained through the state and county of origination. These documents may be obtained through the state Office of Vital Records.

In many cases, the adopting family will have the choice of whether to complete the dossier themselves or hire assistance. The adoption agency may specialize in compiling dossier documents. It is important for adopting parents to pay close attention to the adoption agency's guidelines for completing the dossier correctly. Dossiers that are not completed perfectly will be turned down.

Accepting a Referral

When adopting parents receive a referral, they should carefully examine the information given to them. It is especially important to consider the child's medical history and orphan status. Adopting parents should find out as much as possible about the child who was referred to them. If they have any questions, they should consult their adoption professional.

The adoption professional may be able to gather more information from the child's country if it is needed. In many cases the adoption agency will have the child's information translated for the family. If the information is not translated, a professional translator or a local college student who is fluent in the language can be contacted for help. Many international adoption agencies also work with physicians who specialize in reviewing the medical status of international adoption candidates.

Parents should consult a physician to help them understand the child's medical records and what implications there may be. Parents must also consider the age of the child and how long he or she has been in an orphanage. Children who have lived in orphanages are at risk for developmental delays. A great deal of the time children catch up developmentally when they are placed in secure and loving homes, but sometimes children will need personal assistance for a long time.

Overall, the family must feel comfortable caring for and parenting this child before they should accept the referral. It is also important to consider that turning down multiple returns for insignificant reasons will not fare well with the country of adoption. When adopting parents accept a referral, they will fill out a placement agreement. This document states that the parents have agreed to have the particular child placed in their home. The adoption agency will then give the parents their child's legal documents including a birth certificate and proof that the child is eligible for adoption.

Turning Down a Referral

Referrals may be turned down by prospective adopting parents for various reasons. It is important for adopting parents to remember to gather all of the facts before making a decision about a child.

If the child has medical complications, the adopting parents may want to have the child's medical information reviewed by multiple physicians. Some agencies may also be able to link the parents with other adoptive families who have children with similar conditions. If the parents still feel that they are unable to care for the needs of the child, they may turn down the referral.

It is important for the adopting family to know their limits, capabilities, and even insurance coverage when deciding whether or not to accept a referral. The adoption agency should be supportive; they have had other couples turn down referrals before. The adopting couple should be aware that they probably will grieve over the loss of this child. In some ways they have most likely become attached to the child that could have potentially been theirs. They should expect to feel a loss and seek the support of people who understand that loss.