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While we all focus on flattening the curve and containing the spread of the virus in the US, I know that folks wonder about their in-process adoption or planned adoption. How does this world pandemic impact your adoption? Can you still adopt? Will the children be safe and healthy? Will it take longer?
As we've witnessed these past weeks, the world changes daily. The good news is that currently the impact to domestic and intercountry adoption is delay to adoption processes, information collection and dissemination and travel. Adoptions are not closing, and children remain waiting! What we are experiencing is adoption staff in other countries working from home as possible, significant delays in processes, court closures, central authority delays with issuing referrals, embassy closures except for the most emergency needs, and travel ban. With that said, things are happening, just at a turtle's pace.
We strongly advise that you continue with your side of your adoption process such as starting your adoption, compiling your family profile for a domestic adoption or getting your dossier completed for intercountry adoption. There is no reason to put this aside during this time, and every reason to get it done as soon as possible given there will be natural delays in the near future.
USCIS, which handles the processing of adoptive applicants I600A/I800A and I600/I800 forms as required for intercountry adoption, issued a notice on March 18th about delays and closures. Read the notice at https://www.uscis.gov/ Specific to adoptions this will be fingerprint appointments as part of the I600A/I800A filing, and citizenship ceremonies to receive their certificate of citizenship for adopted children aged 14 and older after they arrive home.
Due to the anticipated delays it is possible that you may have to update and renew your I600A/I800A once you get to the 15 month expiration date. One extension is free through USCIS although fees for the home study update will be required by your home study agency. A second extension will have a slight fee. Please work with your home study agency to ensure this is done in a timely manner and as always, share your update and new I600/I800A with your case manager at ALBB.
Post Adoption and Post Placement Services: Now, more than ever, post adoption and post placement visits are critical. Compared to adults, children are more vulnerable to the emotional impact of traumatic events that disrupt their daily lives, especially those newly placed in the adoptive home. Children with prior trauma or pre-existing mental, physical, or developmental problems are at especially high risk for emotional disturbances. Children—even infants and toddlers—are keen observers of people and environments, and they notice and react to stress in their parents and other caregivers, peers, and community members. They may ask direct questions about what is happening now or what will happen in the future and may behave differently in reaction to strong feelings (e.g., fear, worry, sadness, anger) about the pandemic and related conditions. Children also may worry about their own security and safety and the safety of their loved ones, how they will get their basic needs met (e.g., food, shelter, clothing), and uncertainties for the future. This is the perfect time to lean in on your social worker and his/her experience and guidance during the post adoption visit to learn how to best support your child/ren.
Currently post adoption and post placement visits may be held via video conferencing such as Skype, Facetime or Zoom, etc. as long as it is allowable by your State's child welfare agency and the foreign central authority. A Love Beyond Borders has reached out to the central authorities regarding video conferencing and received permission for post adoption visits to be done via video conferencing during this time. If you are adopting in a country other than Armenia, Bulgaria, Colombia or Haiti, please ask your agency about the allowances for your country of adoption.
Pre-Adoption Education: In addition, now is a great time to focus efforts on learning as much as you can about adoption-related topics including adoption parenting, transition practices, cultural learning, the impact of trauma on the brain and behaviors, locating trauma- and adoption-informed therapists in your community, medical resources, etc. Adopting internationally? ALBB strongly recommend adoptive parents learn some of the local language and what better time than today?
Some Hague Compliant Pre-Adoption Education Online Resources:
https://haguetrainingonline.org/
https://www.adoptionlearningpartners.org/adopting/hague-training-requirements.cfm
https://www.adoptiontrainingonline.com/
https://heartofthemattereducation.com/index.php/en/
The systems in the US and abroad are adjusting to our world situation thus delays in processes and information sharing are already happening and are expected to continue for the near future.
As Walt Disney once said, “I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.” We hope that during the time ahead you too can remain optimistic about your adoption but also realistic, flexible, patient and forward-thinking. Be healthy, be well, be optimistic!
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