International Adoption Program

Family Resources began its partnership with Spence-Chapin in 2006 to expand its existing Adoption Program. The New York-based adoption agency’s roots go back to 1908, and it launched its first international program in Korea in 1975. The solid foundation of its International adoption program and the long history of the agency is why Family Resources is excited to be partnering with Spence-Chapin to make the international adoption process as seamless as possible here in the Quad Cities.

China

Infants to school-aged children are available; most are healthy girls with minor developmental delays. A majority of children live in orphanages while some are cared for in foster care. In the special needs program many children have minor correctable problems, while others have more significant medical conditions.

The current wait time for referral in the general program is about 13 months. The wait time in the special needs program is typically shorter. A child referral includes medical and developmental history along with a photograph. As the majority of children available for adoption in China have been abandoned, there is no social history. Following acceptance, the family travels to China within 6 to 7 weeks.

Guatemala

Infants are about 5 to 9 months when they arrive in the United States and both male and females are available for adoption. This program does not allow gender preference. The children are mostly cared for in foster homes. Children will reflect the ethnic diversity of the people of Latin America.

The current wait time for referral after a dossier is submitted is up to 2 months. A child referral includes the child's social and medical history, along with photographs. The family will travel to Guatemala approximately 3 months after the assignment. This will follow approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which involves a maternity DNA test, possible interview with the birth mother and the Guatemalan court's social worker's approval of the case. On this trip the family will meet the baby, the attorney and the foster family. Following the completion of the legal processes and issuance of a child visa, 2 to 6 months after the first trip, the child is ready to travel to the United States.

Korea

Infants available for adoption are generally 3 to 8 months of age at the time of arrival in the U.S. Couples must accept a child of either gender. The babies often have minor correctable medical concerns such as mild pre-maturity or complications at the time of birth. Babies with special needs are also available. Most children live with loving foster families. They have regular checkups and good medical information is available.

Once a month a home study is sent to Korea, the wait for referral is 3 month on average. When selected for a family, the child's social, medical, and developmental history is given to the family along with photographs. After the family accepts the assignment, the child will be ready to travel to the U.S. about 3 months later. A child brought by escort will arrive at Kennedy (JFK) airport or Los Angeles (LAX) airport.