Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, November 12, 2007
Go Boilers!
When the time arrives, I'd love to have some cute Purdue clothes for my Baby Blossom.
Until then..... here I am enjoying a visit to the Purdue Alumni Center. I was on campus to go to my first Purdue football game in YEARS!
When I lived on campus during business school, I could see the stadium scoreboard from my front window. The stadium has now been expanded so that's not possible now (I checked).
It was cold so I'm wearing four layers of clothing.
Until then..... here I am enjoying a visit to the Purdue Alumni Center. I was on campus to go to my first Purdue football game in YEARS!
When I lived on campus during business school, I could see the stadium scoreboard from my front window. The stadium has now been expanded so that's not possible now (I checked).
It was cold so I'm wearing four layers of clothing.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Finally! Good news!
Joint Council released this information about adoptions from Guatemala. It may seem like 4 months isn't a big extension, but it means a world of difference for me to get my paperwork ready.
Here's the link: http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala.htm
I'm finally feeling hopeful after all these months of angst & anxiety & upsetness (okay, that may not be a word, but it's how I felt).
If you pray, please continue to pray that I'll be wise in this decision. I still need to work with a reputable agency, and I want to trust the agency to do everything correctly.
Here's the link: http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala.htm
I'm finally feeling hopeful after all these months of angst & anxiety & upsetness (okay, that may not be a word, but it's how I felt).
If you pray, please continue to pray that I'll be wise in this decision. I still need to work with a reputable agency, and I want to trust the agency to do everything correctly.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Washington Post Article on Guatemala Adoption
The Washington Post published this article. Here's the link
Slamming the Door on Adoption
Depriving Children Abroad of Loving Homes
By Elizabeth Bartholet
Sunday, November 4, 2007; Page B07
Last month, Guatemala was effectively shut down as a country from which children can be adopted into the United States. While the shutdown is officially temporary, it is likely that even when new laws are in place, Guatemala will follow the path taken by many South American countries in recent years: eliminating the private agencies and intermediaries that facilitate the placement of children who need homes and substituting government monopoly over adoption, which will reduce to a trickle the number of children escaping life in institutions or on the streets.
In recent years, Guatemala has been a model for those who believe in adoption as a vehicle for providing homeless children with permanent, nurturing parents. It has released significant numbers of children to international adoption, many at young ages, before they suffered the kind of damage that results in attachment disorders and other life-altering limitations. Ironically, these policies are why Guatemala attracted the attention of UNICEF and other human rights organizations that, along with our State Department, have been pushing for adoption "reform." These official "friends of children" have created pressure that has led to the cessation of international adoption in half the countries that in recent decades had been sending the largest number of homeless children abroad. Until recent years, the number of international adoptions into the United States had been steadily increasing, but the numbers are dramatically down.
Why close down international adoption? The real-world alternatives for the children at issue are life -- or death -- on the streets or in the types of institutions that a half-century of research has proved systematically destroy children's ability to grow up capable of functioning normally in society. By contrast, we know that adoption works incredibly well to provide children with nurturing homes and that it works best for those placed early in life.
Critics of international adoption argue that children have heritage rights and "belong" in their countries of birth. But children enjoy little in the way of heritage or other rights in institutions. The critics argue that we should develop foster-care alternatives for children in the countries they are from, and UNICEF's official position favors in-country foster care over out-of-country adoption. But foster care does not exist as a real option in most countries that allow children to be adopted abroad, and the generally dire economic circumstances in these nations make it extremely unlikely that comprehensive foster care programs will soon be developed. Nor is there any reason to think that children would do as well in foster care as in adoptive homes. Indeed, for decades the research in countries that use foster care, such as the United States, has shown that such care does not work nearly as well for children as adoption does.
Critics also condemn adoption abuses such as baby-buying. But there is no hard evidence that payments are systematically used in any country to induce birth parents to surrender their children. In any event, the right response to such abuses is stepped-up enforcement of the overlapping laws prohibiting such payments, which would rightly result in the lawbreakers being penalized. Closing down international adoption, however, wrongly penalizes all those homeless children who could otherwise find nurturing adoptive homes, condemning them to institutions or to the streets.
Policies restricting international adoption replicate the same-race matching policies that used to exist in the United States. In the mid-1990s, Congress passed the Multiethnic Placement Act, rejecting the notion that children should be seen as belonging only within the racial group into which they were born. Our lawmakers recognized the harm children suffered by virtue of being held in foster care rather than being adopted transracially.
Congress, the State Department and the human rights organizations that purport to care for children should similarly reject the notion that children in other countries must at all costs be kept in their communities of birth. Children's most fundamental human rights include the right to be nurtured in their formative years by permanent parents in real families.
Elizabeth Bartholetis a law professor and faculty director of the Child Advocacy Program atHarvard Law School. She is the author of the books "Family Bonds" and "Nobody's Children."
Slamming the Door on Adoption
Depriving Children Abroad of Loving Homes
By Elizabeth Bartholet
Sunday, November 4, 2007; Page B07
Last month, Guatemala was effectively shut down as a country from which children can be adopted into the United States. While the shutdown is officially temporary, it is likely that even when new laws are in place, Guatemala will follow the path taken by many South American countries in recent years: eliminating the private agencies and intermediaries that facilitate the placement of children who need homes and substituting government monopoly over adoption, which will reduce to a trickle the number of children escaping life in institutions or on the streets.
In recent years, Guatemala has been a model for those who believe in adoption as a vehicle for providing homeless children with permanent, nurturing parents. It has released significant numbers of children to international adoption, many at young ages, before they suffered the kind of damage that results in attachment disorders and other life-altering limitations. Ironically, these policies are why Guatemala attracted the attention of UNICEF and other human rights organizations that, along with our State Department, have been pushing for adoption "reform." These official "friends of children" have created pressure that has led to the cessation of international adoption in half the countries that in recent decades had been sending the largest number of homeless children abroad. Until recent years, the number of international adoptions into the United States had been steadily increasing, but the numbers are dramatically down.
Why close down international adoption? The real-world alternatives for the children at issue are life -- or death -- on the streets or in the types of institutions that a half-century of research has proved systematically destroy children's ability to grow up capable of functioning normally in society. By contrast, we know that adoption works incredibly well to provide children with nurturing homes and that it works best for those placed early in life.
Critics of international adoption argue that children have heritage rights and "belong" in their countries of birth. But children enjoy little in the way of heritage or other rights in institutions. The critics argue that we should develop foster-care alternatives for children in the countries they are from, and UNICEF's official position favors in-country foster care over out-of-country adoption. But foster care does not exist as a real option in most countries that allow children to be adopted abroad, and the generally dire economic circumstances in these nations make it extremely unlikely that comprehensive foster care programs will soon be developed. Nor is there any reason to think that children would do as well in foster care as in adoptive homes. Indeed, for decades the research in countries that use foster care, such as the United States, has shown that such care does not work nearly as well for children as adoption does.
Critics also condemn adoption abuses such as baby-buying. But there is no hard evidence that payments are systematically used in any country to induce birth parents to surrender their children. In any event, the right response to such abuses is stepped-up enforcement of the overlapping laws prohibiting such payments, which would rightly result in the lawbreakers being penalized. Closing down international adoption, however, wrongly penalizes all those homeless children who could otherwise find nurturing adoptive homes, condemning them to institutions or to the streets.
Policies restricting international adoption replicate the same-race matching policies that used to exist in the United States. In the mid-1990s, Congress passed the Multiethnic Placement Act, rejecting the notion that children should be seen as belonging only within the racial group into which they were born. Our lawmakers recognized the harm children suffered by virtue of being held in foster care rather than being adopted transracially.
Congress, the State Department and the human rights organizations that purport to care for children should similarly reject the notion that children in other countries must at all costs be kept in their communities of birth. Children's most fundamental human rights include the right to be nurtured in their formative years by permanent parents in real families.
Elizabeth Bartholetis a law professor and faculty director of the Child Advocacy Program atHarvard Law School. She is the author of the books "Family Bonds" and "Nobody's Children."
Friday, September 28, 2007
Heavy heart, clear conscience
I am taking this blog private on Monday, October 1. Unfortunately, I have someone who posts angry or insulting comments, and I am tired of deleting them.
My only recourse is to take this blog private. This blog has not been part of my public profile for awhile now, but the person who posts obviously has the blog bookmarked.
If you would like to know how I'm doing, you can post a comment with your email address or email me directly. I'll send you an update when I start my new adoption blog.
Many thanks for reading and caring about what I'm doing!
My only recourse is to take this blog private. This blog has not been part of my public profile for awhile now, but the person who posts obviously has the blog bookmarked.
If you would like to know how I'm doing, you can post a comment with your email address or email me directly. I'll send you an update when I start my new adoption blog.
Many thanks for reading and caring about what I'm doing!
Guatemala 5000
If you would like to make a difference for thousands of families, please visit the Joint Council on International Children's Services website to learn of what they are doing to help families adopting from Guatemala
http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm
You can also write the Guatemalan ambassador to ask for cases that are in process to be finalized. His contact information is
US Ambassador James Derham
3190 Guatemala Place
Washington DC 20521-3190
http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm
You can also write the Guatemalan ambassador to ask for cases that are in process to be finalized. His contact information is
US Ambassador James Derham
3190 Guatemala Place
Washington DC 20521-3190
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Online petition to bring the children home
Click here to sign an online petition addressed to the President, Congress, and Department of State
As of today, there are 1304 signatures.
As of today, there are 1304 signatures.
Clarifying my viewpoint on Hague process
I support the Hague principles and ideas. It is better to have standard processes in place when dealing with inter-country adoption. It is good to know that the children are truly available for adoption.
What I do not accept about the current situation is that our Department of State seems to be saying that current cases in process may not be finalized. Earlier our government has said that cases in process will be completed. Now they are saying they won't be.
That's why I'm asking you to contact our representatives. It is unfathomable to me that our government is using children as pawns in a political game of "if you do this, I'm doing that" within the international community.
What I do not accept about the current situation is that our Department of State seems to be saying that current cases in process may not be finalized. Earlier our government has said that cases in process will be completed. Now they are saying they won't be.
That's why I'm asking you to contact our representatives. It is unfathomable to me that our government is using children as pawns in a political game of "if you do this, I'm doing that" within the international community.
No more anonymous comments
This morning I received a comment from someone who does not understand the current adoption climate or why I asked others to help.
Because I have had numerous situations like this, I'm now instituting a policy of no more anonymous comments on my blog. Feel free to make up a name and continue to comment. Just know that I will reject all anonymous comments from now on.
Because I have had numerous situations like this, I'm now instituting a policy of no more anonymous comments on my blog. Feel free to make up a name and continue to comment. Just know that I will reject all anonymous comments from now on.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
How You Can Help Others
My original agency stopped me from starting my paperwork to adopt from Guatemala or I would be in the same position as thousands of families who are waiting for their children's adoptions to be finalized.
If you have ever adopted, you know what it's like to wait for paperwork & bureaucracy.
Even if you haven't adopted, I'm sure there have been moments where you longed for something or someone. In the midst of all the obstacles, hurdles, negative opinions, you still longed for what your heart wanted most.
You can help all the families who are currently in process by contacting your congressional representatives - House & Senate. You can contact the Department of State and ask them what the #@%* they are doing to our citizens. You can find your representatives by clicking on this link and entering your zipcode in the upper right hand corner where it says Find Your Officials.
It's easy to send email or a printed letter right from this website. I just sent a short email to all my officials, and I will also follow-up with phone calls to my senators.
If you want a clear list of things to do, you can visit Cheri's blog. She lists the contact information for the Department of State and the White House.
Please take 10 minutes to tell your representatives that they have work to do to take care of our citizens. This situation shouldn't be about politics. It should be about caring for children who need homes and the people willing to give them homes.
If you have ever adopted, you know what it's like to wait for paperwork & bureaucracy.
Even if you haven't adopted, I'm sure there have been moments where you longed for something or someone. In the midst of all the obstacles, hurdles, negative opinions, you still longed for what your heart wanted most.
You can help all the families who are currently in process by contacting your congressional representatives - House & Senate. You can contact the Department of State and ask them what the #@%* they are doing to our citizens. You can find your representatives by clicking on this link and entering your zipcode in the upper right hand corner where it says Find Your Officials.
It's easy to send email or a printed letter right from this website. I just sent a short email to all my officials, and I will also follow-up with phone calls to my senators.
If you want a clear list of things to do, you can visit Cheri's blog. She lists the contact information for the Department of State and the White House.
Please take 10 minutes to tell your representatives that they have work to do to take care of our citizens. This situation shouldn't be about politics. It should be about caring for children who need homes and the people willing to give them homes.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Latest DOS statement and ADA response
State Department just released this statement:
Again, I will say that any agency or hogar (including CQ) that is unethical should be shut down. However, the comments being heard in Guatemala is that CQ was targeted because they allowed homosexuals to adopt.
Okay, I've got to get over this somehow. This is a closed door. It's a closed door for months if not longer.
UPDATE: ADA is attempting adoption reform within Guatemala that maintains the good things from the current system (including singles being able to adopt) while correcting the bad things. Here's their response to yesterday's DOS warning: http://www.adaguatemala.org/English/news/
WARNING: The U.S. Department of State urges American citizens not to commence an adoption process from Guatemala at this time. Fundamental changes in Guatemalan and U.S. adoption law will take effect over the next six months. These changes are likely to inject considerable uncertainty into the adoption processI am incredibly ANGRY that the Guatemalan government continues to use Casa Quivera as an example of a potentially illegal operation that was not caring for its children. The children at CQ were not hospitalized until 2 weeks after the government took over their care. It was the government who did not care for those children.
Guatemala has stated that it will become a Hague Convention country on January 1, 2008. Guatemalan officials have informed us that Guatemala plans to require cases pending or filed after December 31, 2007 to meet Hague standards, even if the adoption procedures commenced before that date. They have also informed us they will not process adoptions for non-Hague member countries after December 31. We understand this to mean that Guatemala will stop processing adoptions to the United States beginning January 1, 2008, until U.S. accession to the Hague Convention takes effect. Given the average time frame for completing an adoption in Guatemala, cases started now cannot be completed before January 1, 2008.
When the Convention is in force for the United States, projected to occur in the spring of 2008, there may be a period of time during which we will not be able to approve adoptions from Guatemala, until Guatemala’s adoption process provides the protections for children and families required by the Hague Adoption Convention.
The Government of Guatemala has confirmed its commitment to the Hague Adoption Convention, and is already working to amend its adoption law to conform to Hague requirements. However, the current adoption process in Guatemala is not consistent with the Convention. Designing and instituting new procedures will take time. The U.S. Government is working closely with the Hague Permanent Bureau and other interested governments to support Guatemala’s transition to meeting its obligations under the Hague Convention.
American citizens pursuing adoptions in Guatemala are already encountering some delays in the process. As recently as August 2007, several dozen children who were to be adopted by U.S. citizens were taken into custody by Guatemalan authorities because of alleged irregularities in the adoption process and concerns about the care of the children. A court-ordered investigation is now underway.
Several adoption service providers are under investigation in the United States, and at least one U.S. adoption facilitator faces prosecution in the United States. Under these circumstances, prospective adoptive parents face the real possibility that current, pending cases may be disrupted by legal investigations.
The Department of State strongly recommends that prospective adoptive parents defer plans to begin an adoption in Guatemala until the legal and procedural issues described above have been resolved.
Again, I will say that any agency or hogar (including CQ) that is unethical should be shut down. However, the comments being heard in Guatemala is that CQ was targeted because they allowed homosexuals to adopt.
Okay, I've got to get over this somehow. This is a closed door. It's a closed door for months if not longer.
UPDATE: ADA is attempting adoption reform within Guatemala that maintains the good things from the current system (including singles being able to adopt) while correcting the bad things. Here's their response to yesterday's DOS warning: http://www.adaguatemala.org/English/news/
Monday, September 24, 2007
Interesting article on Gutemalan women & children
Here's a link from a woman who recently visited the highlands of Guatemala. The full article talks about Save the Children and its impact in Guatemala.
Some interesting facts from Dr. Judith Reichman's article include:
50 percent of children under the age of 5 in this country are chronically malnourished and this number increases to 70 percent in the central highlands
At least one in seven of their infants dies before the age of 5.
The illiteracy rate in Guatemala is 69.9 percent for those over 15 (only Nicaragua and Haiti are worse in Latin America and the Caribbean). In several areas that I visited in the highlands, more than 70 percent of the women were illiterate. Most children don't make it past the sixth grade, and 50 percent of Mayan adolescent girls don't attend school.
Some interesting facts from Dr. Judith Reichman's article include:
50 percent of children under the age of 5 in this country are chronically malnourished and this number increases to 70 percent in the central highlands
At least one in seven of their infants dies before the age of 5.
The illiteracy rate in Guatemala is 69.9 percent for those over 15 (only Nicaragua and Haiti are worse in Latin America and the Caribbean). In several areas that I visited in the highlands, more than 70 percent of the women were illiterate. Most children don't make it past the sixth grade, and 50 percent of Mayan adolescent girls don't attend school.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Cleaning up my blog
If you are subscribed to this blog to be notified when there are updates, my apologies for the multiple emails this morning.
I decided to delete all references to my agency in all my posts. I'm doing that mostly because I wish to avoid being labeled "negative" or "pessimistic" by them or any future agency.
I decided to delete all references to my agency in all my posts. I'm doing that mostly because I wish to avoid being labeled "negative" or "pessimistic" by them or any future agency.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Guatemala & Single Parents
I just keep praying that Guatemala remains open to single parents.
That is my biggest risk right now.
I'm okay waiting as long as Guatemala continues to allow single women to adopt after they implement their new rules.
In all the uncertainty, that's the one thing I keep thinking: remain open to singles and allow the babies to be referred as young as possible.
Okay, I guess that's two things. LOL
That is my biggest risk right now.
I'm okay waiting as long as Guatemala continues to allow single women to adopt after they implement their new rules.
In all the uncertainty, that's the one thing I keep thinking: remain open to singles and allow the babies to be referred as young as possible.
Okay, I guess that's two things. LOL
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Agency info on Hague
One of the agencies I contacted for an informational packet sent an email with info for prospective clients. I am not sharing the agency name; I will use AGENCY to refer to the organization.
If I wanted to use AGENCY, I would be required to read and sign a statement. I'm cutting/pasting information from the email and then the actual document itself.
Here's the email:
As Hague proceeds within Guatemala, there are numerous questions and concerns as to what will happen and how, as an adoptive family, you will be affected. It is true that Hague is moving forward and has strict adoption policies that the Guatemalan government must adhere to in order to proceed with adoptions. Currently the United States is on track to be fully implemented into the Hague accreditation process by March 31st, 2007.
Up until this date, the USCIS is allowing I-600a applications to be processed for immigrant visas for Guatemalan adoptions. This approval is valid for 18 months from the date of issuance. After March 31st, the USCIS will no longer accept I-600a applications for Guatemala until the country complies with the Hague treaty.
AGENCY is currently going through the accreditation process for Hague in the U.S. and at this time are happy to announce we have completed our site visit. We are confident that our initiative in seeking this accreditation early on will benefit our adoptive families. As we seek our Hague accreditation in the US, AGENCY has found that we are already practicing Hague guidelines in both our U.S. offices and also at ORPHANAGE in Guatemala.
AGENCY holds your concerns about the Hague Treaty in Guatemala to heart. We would like to update you with current information as you consider starting an adoption with Guatemala or as you continue with the rest of your adoption journey. Attached is a brief history of The Hague in Guatemala in case you are not already aware, and why our agency is continuing to accept clients while the Department of State is advising many agencies and adoptive parents against this.
As an agency we are in support of The Hague Treaty guidelines and hope they will be enforced to eliminate horrible circumstances for children, birth mothers, and adoptive parents that get caught in controversial adoptions.
As you read the attached document, it is important to note that AGENCY can not guarantee outcomes of adoptions through Guatemala. This is why we are providing all information that we are aware of and directing you to governing sources mentioned in this document for you to make an informed decision.
Please take time to review the following. http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/Prospective_Adoptive_Parents_Guide.pdf
This guide is offered to you from the United States Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs.
http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/convention/convention_462.html
This will provide you an overview that is not agency specific and therefore offers you insight regardless of which agency you are speaking with or what country you are considering.
If you desire to still proceed with a Guatemala adoption we will need the attached document [AGENCY Guatemala Adoption Memo of Understanding] signed and returned to our office along with the application.
We desire to continue supporting you in your adoption process, answering your questions and directing you to appropriate resources to ensure the information you receive is accurate and helpful. Please continue to ask for what you need in light of this information and resources so that you may feel confident as you make decisions which may lead to bringing your child home.
Here's the information from the AGENCY Guatemala Adoption Memo of Understanding:
History on Guatemala and Hague
To give you some history on Hague and Guatemala, four years ago Guatemala signed The Hague Treaty without any forewarning and the very next day they did stop all new adoptions. All families placed with children proceeded under the current adoption law as the Guatemalan Congress began looking at new adoption laws and procedures which would be Hague compliant.
After six months of working on a new law (and almost done with a new adoption procedure), Guatemalan lawyers appealed to the Supreme Court stating that the Hague was implemented illegally based on the Guatemalan law. The Supreme Court ruled that Guatemala’s implementation into Hague was not done legally and thus the old adoption law/procedures were reinstated immediately.
Guatemala Today on Hague
At this time, Guatemala has not proceeded to making any immediate changes to their current adoption law. The Guatemalan Congress has “legally” reaffirmed the Hague Convention with an effective date of January 1, 2008.
Reaffirming The Hague means that on January 1st the President of Guatemala can sign the law that was passed by congress that authorizes him enter into the convention. This does not mean that the Hague Convention takes effect in Guatemala on January 1, 2008. Once signed the Hague Convention states that it will become effective the first day of the next month after a three month period from the accession. That is to say, if the convention is acceded January 1st, it will become effective May 1, 2008 and by this date (unless legislation is put forth asking for an extension), Guatemala must have a Hague Compliant adoption process.
Currently the Guatemalan Congress has two proposals before them. Bill #3217, known as the Ortega Law is the law approved by Unicef and the Executive Branch of Guatemala’s government, and gives the government greater control of the adoption process. The second Bill is #3635 which was developed more recently by Congressional advisers and maintains a balance of private accredited services with government oversight.
It is unclear as to whether or not Guatemala will proactively be able to pass a law before the affirmation into Hague on January 1st or if a law will not be agreed upon until Guatemala’s actual accession into Hague on May 1st.
It is important to note that Guatemala does not have a child welfare system in place at this time and therefore the government does rely heavily on the private institutions to care for the country’s children that will never be adopted (foster children). In 2003 many private orphanages were threatening the government to personally place foster children on the courts doorsteps unless the government provided monetary help immediately.
Due to the fact that the government relies so heavily on private institutions to care for their foster children, a long closure on adoptions would put the social welfare system in a crisis since adoptions bring money into institutions that care for all the kids children. Our agency’s orphan care fee ($5,000 tax deductible donation) as part of your adoption expenses, is a direct example of the humanitarian aid that agencies bring to Guatemala caring for those children who are left behind or will never be eligible for adoption.
AGENCY can provide opinions and recommendations regarding The Hague Convention and adoption related issues, but in no way, is AGENCY providing any promises or guarantees of timeframes or overall outcomes of your adoption process.
Guatemala Adoption Memo of Understanding
The Risks of a Guatemalan Adoption
===============
My interpretation of what they sent:
We want to help you adopt a child in spite of all the obvious turmoil. We know that most reputable agencies aren't taking new clients now, but we'll gladly take your money without guaranteeing anything. If you like big risks, let's get started.
Of course, if my original agency had put this document in front of me in July when I wanted to start my paperwork, I would have signed it on the spot.
If I wanted to use AGENCY, I would be required to read and sign a statement. I'm cutting/pasting information from the email and then the actual document itself.
Here's the email:
As Hague proceeds within Guatemala, there are numerous questions and concerns as to what will happen and how, as an adoptive family, you will be affected. It is true that Hague is moving forward and has strict adoption policies that the Guatemalan government must adhere to in order to proceed with adoptions. Currently the United States is on track to be fully implemented into the Hague accreditation process by March 31st, 2007.
Up until this date, the USCIS is allowing I-600a applications to be processed for immigrant visas for Guatemalan adoptions. This approval is valid for 18 months from the date of issuance. After March 31st, the USCIS will no longer accept I-600a applications for Guatemala until the country complies with the Hague treaty.
AGENCY is currently going through the accreditation process for Hague in the U.S. and at this time are happy to announce we have completed our site visit. We are confident that our initiative in seeking this accreditation early on will benefit our adoptive families. As we seek our Hague accreditation in the US, AGENCY has found that we are already practicing Hague guidelines in both our U.S. offices and also at ORPHANAGE in Guatemala.
AGENCY holds your concerns about the Hague Treaty in Guatemala to heart. We would like to update you with current information as you consider starting an adoption with Guatemala or as you continue with the rest of your adoption journey. Attached is a brief history of The Hague in Guatemala in case you are not already aware, and why our agency is continuing to accept clients while the Department of State is advising many agencies and adoptive parents against this.
As an agency we are in support of The Hague Treaty guidelines and hope they will be enforced to eliminate horrible circumstances for children, birth mothers, and adoptive parents that get caught in controversial adoptions.
As you read the attached document, it is important to note that AGENCY can not guarantee outcomes of adoptions through Guatemala. This is why we are providing all information that we are aware of and directing you to governing sources mentioned in this document for you to make an informed decision.
Please take time to review the following. http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/Prospective_Adoptive_Parents_Guide.pdf
This guide is offered to you from the United States Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs.
http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/convention/convention_462.html
This will provide you an overview that is not agency specific and therefore offers you insight regardless of which agency you are speaking with or what country you are considering.
If you desire to still proceed with a Guatemala adoption we will need the attached document [AGENCY Guatemala Adoption Memo of Understanding] signed and returned to our office along with the application.
We desire to continue supporting you in your adoption process, answering your questions and directing you to appropriate resources to ensure the information you receive is accurate and helpful. Please continue to ask for what you need in light of this information and resources so that you may feel confident as you make decisions which may lead to bringing your child home.
Here's the information from the AGENCY Guatemala Adoption Memo of Understanding:
History on Guatemala and Hague
To give you some history on Hague and Guatemala, four years ago Guatemala signed The Hague Treaty without any forewarning and the very next day they did stop all new adoptions. All families placed with children proceeded under the current adoption law as the Guatemalan Congress began looking at new adoption laws and procedures which would be Hague compliant.
After six months of working on a new law (and almost done with a new adoption procedure), Guatemalan lawyers appealed to the Supreme Court stating that the Hague was implemented illegally based on the Guatemalan law. The Supreme Court ruled that Guatemala’s implementation into Hague was not done legally and thus the old adoption law/procedures were reinstated immediately.
Guatemala Today on Hague
At this time, Guatemala has not proceeded to making any immediate changes to their current adoption law. The Guatemalan Congress has “legally” reaffirmed the Hague Convention with an effective date of January 1, 2008.
Reaffirming The Hague means that on January 1st the President of Guatemala can sign the law that was passed by congress that authorizes him enter into the convention. This does not mean that the Hague Convention takes effect in Guatemala on January 1, 2008. Once signed the Hague Convention states that it will become effective the first day of the next month after a three month period from the accession. That is to say, if the convention is acceded January 1st, it will become effective May 1, 2008 and by this date (unless legislation is put forth asking for an extension), Guatemala must have a Hague Compliant adoption process.
Currently the Guatemalan Congress has two proposals before them. Bill #3217, known as the Ortega Law is the law approved by Unicef and the Executive Branch of Guatemala’s government, and gives the government greater control of the adoption process. The second Bill is #3635 which was developed more recently by Congressional advisers and maintains a balance of private accredited services with government oversight.
It is unclear as to whether or not Guatemala will proactively be able to pass a law before the affirmation into Hague on January 1st or if a law will not be agreed upon until Guatemala’s actual accession into Hague on May 1st.
It is important to note that Guatemala does not have a child welfare system in place at this time and therefore the government does rely heavily on the private institutions to care for the country’s children that will never be adopted (foster children). In 2003 many private orphanages were threatening the government to personally place foster children on the courts doorsteps unless the government provided monetary help immediately.
Due to the fact that the government relies so heavily on private institutions to care for their foster children, a long closure on adoptions would put the social welfare system in a crisis since adoptions bring money into institutions that care for all the kids children. Our agency’s orphan care fee ($5,000 tax deductible donation) as part of your adoption expenses, is a direct example of the humanitarian aid that agencies bring to Guatemala caring for those children who are left behind or will never be eligible for adoption.
AGENCY can provide opinions and recommendations regarding The Hague Convention and adoption related issues, but in no way, is AGENCY providing any promises or guarantees of timeframes or overall outcomes of your adoption process.
Guatemala Adoption Memo of Understanding
The Risks of a Guatemalan Adoption
- I have read the U.S. Department of State’s March 14, 2007, posting called “Frequently Asked Questions: Prospective Adoptive Parents of Guatemalan Children” fully, and I/We understand the Department of State’s concern regarding adoptions from Guatemala.
- I have read and understand the AGENCY Hague Treaty message.
- I understand that AGENCY does not offer or guarantee a firm timeframe in which an adoption case can be completed in Guatemala.
- I understand that there is a possible legislation that could slow down or stop adoptions in Guatemala. AGENCY cannot predict the length of time of a suspension or closure in Guatemala.
- I understand that country fees paid for an adoption are non-refundable. Some fees paid for AGENCY services can be transferred to another program based upon country requirements and my family’s qualifications. The fees transferred are all but orphan care fees. If transferred monies are more than country fees, those fees are non-refundable. Otherwise, fees are non-refundable.
- I understand that this signed statement does not replace any contracts or addendums previously signed.
- I understand that change happens, especially in International Adoption, and I do not hold AGENCY responsible for any changes in my status of adoption with Guatemala. AGENCY agrees to inform me within a reasonable timeframe of any changes within Guatemala or my case.
- I understand that the I-600A application fee is non-refundable. If I change country programs after filing an I-600A, I must file an I-824 with CIS (along with a processing fee) in order to change country programs.
- I understand that the expenses involved in completing a dossier are mine to incur and if any country program changes are made, all costs incurred regarding this change is my responsibility.
- I understand that AGENCY cannot guarantee an adoption will be completed prior to a Hague closure. AGENCY is not to be held responsible for any wait times due to country closures while in the process of your adoption.
- I understand that if I am unable to complete the adoption due to the suspension or closure of adoptions between the U.S. and Guatemala, I will not be refunded any monies from overseas or AGENCY. However, if there is another program that fits my needs and qualifications through AGENCY, then monies can be transferred to that program. However, I understand that I might not qualify for another program, or other programs may not be desirable at this time.
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My interpretation of what they sent:
We want to help you adopt a child in spite of all the obvious turmoil. We know that most reputable agencies aren't taking new clients now, but we'll gladly take your money without guaranteeing anything. If you like big risks, let's get started.
Of course, if my original agency had put this document in front of me in July when I wanted to start my paperwork, I would have signed it on the spot.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
NPR on Guatemalan Adoption
If you visited my blog earlier today, you saw a beautiful baby boy. He's being considered so the agency asked me to delete the post with his picture.
NPR has an interesting report on Guatemalan adoption today. I say "interesting" because I'm not sure it was truly objective.
Unfortunately, they interviewed a UNICEF representative. Since I no longer trust anything UNICEF says, I'm not sure if I even want to provide the link. However, to be objective - here's the link. As I've mentioned earlier, UNICEF is only interested in stopping inter-country adoption in Guatemala, and the Guatemalan president wants the money UNICEF is promising for his own pockets.
The NPR report also talked about Casa Quivira. What wasn't said in the report: the rumor within the adoption community is that this orphanage was targeted because they allowed gay couples to adopt. Guatemala, like many other Latin American countries, is extremely homophobic. Some single prospective adoptive parents have had to include notarized signed statements professing their heterosexuality in their dossiers.
I agree that there are some reforms needed in Guatemala. However, I do not believe the corruption in Guatemala is any more prevalent than other countries (like Russia, as an example, where parents have been told to bring thousands of dollars in cash for "donations" when they pick up their children)
NPR has an interesting report on Guatemalan adoption today. I say "interesting" because I'm not sure it was truly objective.
Unfortunately, they interviewed a UNICEF representative. Since I no longer trust anything UNICEF says, I'm not sure if I even want to provide the link. However, to be objective - here's the link. As I've mentioned earlier, UNICEF is only interested in stopping inter-country adoption in Guatemala, and the Guatemalan president wants the money UNICEF is promising for his own pockets.
The NPR report also talked about Casa Quivira. What wasn't said in the report: the rumor within the adoption community is that this orphanage was targeted because they allowed gay couples to adopt. Guatemala, like many other Latin American countries, is extremely homophobic. Some single prospective adoptive parents have had to include notarized signed statements professing their heterosexuality in their dossiers.
I agree that there are some reforms needed in Guatemala. However, I do not believe the corruption in Guatemala is any more prevalent than other countries (like Russia, as an example, where parents have been told to bring thousands of dollars in cash for "donations" when they pick up their children)
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Still spending too much time on forums
I'm feeling much better now that I've made a decision to wait. I told most of the people in my life. I think telling people just solidifies the decision.
Even one of the social workers (who would have made money on my homestudy) told me I made a wise decision.
What I haven't been able to do yet is get off the forums. Maybe reading the posts of people who are in process is a way for me to validate that I made the right choice for me. Maybe I think that I'll gain additional insight into the "right" timing for me to start. Maybe I care too much about the children and the prospective parents and the families that are being created.
Even one of the social workers (who would have made money on my homestudy) told me I made a wise decision.
What I haven't been able to do yet is get off the forums. Maybe reading the posts of people who are in process is a way for me to validate that I made the right choice for me. Maybe I think that I'll gain additional insight into the "right" timing for me to start. Maybe I care too much about the children and the prospective parents and the families that are being created.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Definitely waiting about Guatemala
As much as I want to adopt from Guatemala, I'm waiting. When I talked with the social workers last week about getting a homestudy done quickly, it became apparent that I was taking a big risk. I could have gotten the homestudy completed, but the state & federal approvals could have been a problem.
There was a tiny, tiny chance that I could finish the dossier to get it registered in Guatemala before the year ends. Part of that process is identifying an agency or attorney who would still give child referrals. Several agencies have stopped taking applications. Other agencies are only working with families AFTER they are paper-ready.
I didn't mind rushing the paperwork process. But, I kept thinking about what would happen if I did all that rushing and then no reputable agency would work with me even if I was paper-ready. There are other agencies and/or attorneys who would take my money, but I'm not sure they would be trustworthy either.
I'm not sure I'm strong enough to take the risk. Even one of my guy friends who is a big risk taker was concerned about me. When we talked this weekend, he said it just isn't worth the heartache if it doesn't work out. It would be painful financially, mentally, and emotionally.
Someone told me, "you have to go with your head on this one and not your heart." She's right unfortunately.
There was a tiny, tiny chance that I could finish the dossier to get it registered in Guatemala before the year ends. Part of that process is identifying an agency or attorney who would still give child referrals. Several agencies have stopped taking applications. Other agencies are only working with families AFTER they are paper-ready.
I didn't mind rushing the paperwork process. But, I kept thinking about what would happen if I did all that rushing and then no reputable agency would work with me even if I was paper-ready. There are other agencies and/or attorneys who would take my money, but I'm not sure they would be trustworthy either.
I'm not sure I'm strong enough to take the risk. Even one of my guy friends who is a big risk taker was concerned about me. When we talked this weekend, he said it just isn't worth the heartache if it doesn't work out. It would be painful financially, mentally, and emotionally.
Someone told me, "you have to go with your head on this one and not your heart." She's right unfortunately.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Can't Hurt to Ask Some Questions
Tonight I emailed two social workers to ask about how quickly they could do homestudies. I also asked some specific questions about my situation because I need some information to know if I would be approved or not. Being a self-employed single woman does not have its advantages in the adoptive process. I need to know their guidelines for approving homestudies specific to that situation.
One fear is that I will not get my paperwork dossier complete by Nov. 1. That date seems to be the one that is most important from Guatemala perspective.
Another fear is that I will get my dossier complete by Nov. 1 and then not have an ethical agency or attorney who will work with me.
Prospective adoptive parents who are deep into their processes are saying the same thing - Get the dossier complete. Switch countries if necessary when the dossier is complete. It's fairly easy to update homestudy for a new country if necessary.
Since I'm not relying on my original agency, my fees (at this point) are all fees I'd have to do regardless of country.
One fear is that I will not get my paperwork dossier complete by Nov. 1. That date seems to be the one that is most important from Guatemala perspective.
Another fear is that I will get my dossier complete by Nov. 1 and then not have an ethical agency or attorney who will work with me.
Prospective adoptive parents who are deep into their processes are saying the same thing - Get the dossier complete. Switch countries if necessary when the dossier is complete. It's fairly easy to update homestudy for a new country if necessary.
Since I'm not relying on my original agency, my fees (at this point) are all fees I'd have to do regardless of country.
Monday, September 10, 2007
I Don't Know
Until I feel the same way for more than 12 hours, it's difficult to know what I will do or not do.
I can tell you that if I had my dossier complete today, I'd have already mailed it to an agency or attorney.
I can tell you that if I had my dossier complete today, I'd have already mailed it to an agency or attorney.
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