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The
following represents our most frequently asked questions. Please see our
individual countries
served for frequently asked
questions pertaining to that a specific country.
? Questions ?
Answers!
Q:
How many children are available for adoption?
A: In
each country this number varies. There are thousands waiting for loving parents.
It is important to point out that there are children of all ages, both boys and
girls available. The ages of the children vary in each country, yet there are
infants, toddlers and young children available in all countries
where EAC provides adoption services.
Q: Can we adopt more the one child?
A: Yes.
Each country has different guidelines. These change often enough that you should
call one of our Adoption Consultants about the specifics of the program you are interested.
You may also check our countries
area for current information.
Q: Are twins and sibling groups available for adoption?
A: Yes.
EAC has placed several beautiful sets of twins, and wonderful sibling
groups from Russia and Kazakhstan, and Guatemala.
Q: How long must we wait for a child?
A: Referral time varies in each program. The
paperwork completion and dossier submission is up to you. Your timetable sets the
schedule on this part.
Once your paperwork is completed and
submitted to our agency, we send it to the country you have selected. Depending on
the country, the time frame from dossier submission to the first referral varies from a
few weeks to 16 weeks, to several months (China).
We
keep you informed of the changes in each country's requirements.
Q: What are the fees for an international adoption?
A: Prospective parents will see that there are
agency fees, CIS, and in-country fees. The age of the child and the number of
children being adopted affects fees. Come to one of our informational seminar where
fees for each specific country are discussed.
EAC
remains one of a very few agencies that has a fee escrow policy and a refund
policy. Please call us and ask about these.
Q: What countries can we adopt from through your agency?
A: Russia,
China, Kazakhstan, and Guatemala.
Q: Is EAC licensed to do adoptions in Russia?
A: EAC is currently awaiting our Re-Accreditation with the Russian Federation.
EAC has received annual accreditation since 1994, when Russia began accreditation requirement for international
agencies. EAC is optimistically waiting the issuance of our re-accreditation. We are continuing to complete the
adoptions for our "in-process" families and are accepting applications to the Russia program
so families will be paper ready to submit the dossier when our accreditation is received.
Currently, all international adoption agencies, excluding those with old accreditations that have yet to expire, are waiting
for their accreditation from the Russian Federation. If you choose to go with an agency that is currently accredited, please
be aware that by the time you're ready to receive a referral, the accreditation from your chosen agency may have expired.
The most important question to ask is if they have received their NGO registration and are awaiting the submission of their
accreditation paperwork. EAC has their NGO registration and will be ready to complete adoptions once the new procedures are put into affect and accreditations
are issued in Russia.
Q: How many trips are required?
A: Again,
it depends on the country and the current regulations. You will want to check our countries
area for specifics.
Q: When we travel, will
we have interpreters and drivers who understand English?
A: Someone who knows English is with you in each
country, every step of the way. This is part of the service provided through our
agency.
Q: We are worried about the food, hotel accommodations, and even
in-country travel. How can you help, us?
A: EAC provides each couple or individual
with several supportive services: a handbook prior to travel to tell you about packing,
food, the electrical outlets in the country, the hotels and the trains and in-country air
travel. We have used our own experiences and continue to add information collected
by our EAC families who are returning home weekly. The closer you get to traveling,
the more information and support and direction you will be receiving.
Q: How long will we be in the country?
A: It depends on the country. You
will want to check our countries
area for specifics.
Q: How do children become available for Adoption? And is it the
same for every country?
A: It
is not the same for every country or every child. Many children have been abandoned
or have been formally relinquished.
Q: Is the adoption of our child or children final or can
biological parents contact us or take the child back?
A: Adoptions
are finalized in each country in court. Once this occurs, there is no provision to
challenge the rights of the adoptive parents.
Q: Can single parents adopt?
A: Yes,
in most of these countries where we provide services. You will want to check our countries area for specifics or call
our offices for the most up-to-date information.
Q: What are the age requirements or restrictions for the
countries?
A: As
a general guideline, if you are single, you must be at least 25 years of age (INS
requirements). For married couples, you must be 21 and older (INS requirements).
You will want to check our countries
area for country requirements.
Q: If I am recently married or divorced, can I adopt?
A: Yes.
Q: What kind of health screening is done for the child I/we want
to adopt?
A: Please
go to the EAC Medical Information area
for health issues information from Cindy Sundman, RN, BSN. Cindy is a pediatric
nurse who has also made a medical mission trip abroad and is knowledgeable about these
important issues.
Q: What specific health information on the child is available?
A: All
countries provide medical information on the child and a photograph. Some countries
provide videos. You will want to check our countries
area for specifics.
Q: What
are attachment and bonding issues, and how does it affect our child?
A: Attachment
is the emotional bond a child can develop for a care giver. EAC provides an article by Kristen E. Buchannan,
MSSA, LISW, on attachment and
bonding in the medical issues section.
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