Intercountry

For families living in the Chicago Metropolitan area

651 W. Lake Street Lake County Services Chicago, IL 60661 Cardinal Bernadin Center Phone: 312-655-7086 671 S. Lewis Avenue Fax: 312-382-1612 Waukegan, IL 60085

Email: @catholiccharities.net

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is recognized as a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit Agency, is fully accredited and is Licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services—License #003971

Catholic Charities is recognized by the Department of State, and accredited by the Council on Accreditation, to provide adoption services for Hague Adoption cases.

Welcome to Catholic Charities International Adoption Program! We have been providing International Adoption services since the 1950s, when we began placing children from Italy, Germany, Ireland and Canada. Our International Adoption Program is a great choice for many families; we can prepare a home study to aid you in adopting from any country where adoption is allowed. We also provide small group training and preparation to help prepare you for the process, joys and challenges of adopting internationally. We work with various licensed, accredited placing agencies across the country to help you facilitate an adoption that is right for you; we also offer direct child placement services from Poland.

Many families continue to choose to build their families through International Adoption. Children of all ages, cultures and ethnic backgrounds are waiting for stable, loving families. Come join us for a journey to another part of the world!

Immigrant Visas Issued to Orphans Coming to the

Top Twenty Countries of Origin

FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2011 1 2,306 CHINA 2,697 CHINA 2,589 2 ETHIOPIA 993 ETHIOPIA 1,568 ETHIOPIA 1,727 3 UKRAINE 438 RUSSIA 748 RUSSIA 970 4 HAITI 388 REPUBLIC OF 627 SOUTH KOREA 736 5 CONGO, DEM. REP. 313 UKRAINE 395 UKRAINE 632 6 UGANDA 276 CONGO 240 PHILIPPINES 230 7 RUSSIA 250 UGANDA 238 INDIA 228 8 NIGERIA 183 NIGERIA 197 COLOMBIA 216 9 PHILIPPINES 178 COLOMBIA 195 UGANDA 207 10 GHANA 170 TAIWAN 177 TAIWAN 205 11 BULGARIA 159 GHANA 171 NIGERIA 148 12 COLOMBIA 159 PHILLIPINES 125 CONGO-KINSHASA 133 13 REPUBLIC OF KOREA 138 BULGARIA 125 GHANA 100 14 INDIA 119 INDIA 159 JAMAICA 100 15 TAIWAN 94 HAITI 154 KAZAKHSTAN 86 16 LATVIA 89 LATVIA 82 BULGARIA 75 17 JAMAICA 79 THAILAND 57 65 18 GUYANA 50 MOROCCO 57 RWANDA 58 19 POLAND 49 JAMAICA 43 LATVIA 56 20 PAKISTAN 47 GUYANA 36 POLAND 52

6,478 8,091 8,613

World Totals for Year: World Totals for Year: World Totals for Year: 7,094Source: United States Department 8,668of State http://adoption.state.gov 9,320

Intercountry Adoption Process:

1. Contact Adoption Intake Specialist at 312-655-7086 to complete a preliminary inquiry form.

2. Attend a group or individual Intercountry Adoption Orientation meeting. This meeting can be scheduled when you contact the Adoption Intake Specialist. It will provide an overview of Catholic Charities Intercountry Adoption Program.

3. Complete and return the application packet along with the $275 application fee.

4. Receive notification of your assigned adoption specialist. An adoption specialist will be assigned to work with your family and will schedule an Intake interview with you. During this interview, your interest in Intercountry adoption and which country you many be interested in adopting from will be explored. Once a decision to proceed is reached, you will be asked to fill out DCFS licensing paperwork. When you adopt through our agency, an adopt-only license is required.

5. You will meet with your Adoption Specialist for a series of interviews as part of the home study. The home study is comprised of fingerprinting, a criminal background check, and neglect clearances, medical history, small group training and preparation, refer- ences, the abovementioned interviews and a home visit. The home study report itself is the legal document required by USCIS, Foreign Officials and for licensure as an adopt–only foster home in the State of Illinois. The home study process generally takes approximately 4 - 6 months to complete. During this time, you will also apply to USCIS (Immigration) forpre- approval for your child’s visa. If non-convention, you will file an I-600A for the pre-approval of your child’s visa, this can be done during the home study process. If convention, you will file an I-800A. The I-800A cannot be filed until the home study process is completed.

6. Compile your dossier documents and have them authenticated by the proper state agencies. Your adoption specialist will provide you with the necessary information to complete this step. Once completed, your dossier will be sent to the authorities in the country you have chosen to adopt from.

7. Await Referral. Waiting times vary from country to country.

8. Receive and accept a referral. When an appropriate match has been made, your adoption specialist will receive a child referral to share with you. The referral may include basic infor- mation about the child, medical information and photos. You will also have the opportunity to ask specific questions during this process. Our adoptive families are encouraged to have the child’s medical history reviewed by medical professionals who specialize in intercountry adoption.

9. Travel to complete adoption. The number and length of trips vary from country to country. During this time, you will visit with your child, attend the required court dates, and obtain your child’s entry visa.

10. Welcome home! Once you have returned home with your new family member, Catholic Char- ities will continue to provide support and post placement services. Your adoption specialist will visit with you at least four times during the first year after placement. You will be able to maintain your connection to the agency and other adoptive parents though the Adoption Guild and various events. Because adoption is a lifelong journey, Catholic Charities will also be available to provide ongoing services if requested.

International Placement Agencies we have established partnerships with:

In 1994, Catholic Charities began a more formalized Intercountry Adoption Program. After researching numerous child placing agencies, the department decided to specifically network with a few, well-established agencies, including Children’s Home Society and Family Services of Minnesota, and Holt International Children’s Services. These agencies have outstanding reputations and place children from a variety of countries. The majority of children available in these countries are toddlers, older children and sibling groups. Together, we will work to ensure that your international adoption experience is a positive one. Children’s Home Society and Family Services (CHSFS) www.chsfs.org

Bulgaria (Pilot Program) Burundi (Pilot Program) China

Colombia Costa Rica ( Pilot Program ) Ecuador ( Pilot Program, WIC* only )

Honduras ( WIC* only ) India ( WIC* only ) Korea ( one or both parents must be of Korean descent )

Marshall Islands (Notification list for eligible families)

Holt International Children’s Services www.holtinternational.org

China Ethiopia Haiti India

Korea Mongolia Philippines Thailand Uganda

Please see our Program Requirements Chart or contact our partner agencies directly for more information about these programs, as well as various International programs offered through other licensed, accredited placing agencies, including Catholic Charities or Catholic Social Services Organizations.

* WIC ( Waiting International Children ) programs seek homes for children who are older, for sibling groups, and for children with special needs.

Adoption Program with Poland

In 1998, Catholic Charities began to investigate the possibility of serving as a child placing agency for Poland. A formal agreement to do this was signed with Poland in January, 1999 and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago currently has formal agreements with all three entities within Poland that place children in the US. We also have a staff person in Poland who serves as our liaison and works with the entities in Poland to secure child referrals for our families, as well as working with the families once they travel and are in-country. The following is an overview of our Poland program:

Who may adopt?

 Adoptive parents can be no more than 40 years older than the child they are adopting.  Married couples must be married at least 1-3 years (determined by Poland on a case by case basis.)  Single women may adopt.  At least one parent must be a U.S. citizen  Must be in good health.  Must have explored their medical situation regarding infertility, if applicable, and are not involved in infertility treatment.  Must have a willingness to recognize and support the importance of a child’s heritage and family of origin.  Must be financially stable, with the ability to make 2 trips to Poland and stay for a period of up to 8 weeks in total.

We welcome prospective adoptive parents of all religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds. We also provide placement services to out-of-state families.

Who are the children available for adoption?

In Poland, children become available for international adoption following the death of their parents, or extreme economic hardship or other crises that may cause parents to abandon their children or prevent them from properly caring for them. Their parental rights have been legally terminated, and the children are cared for in relatively small group homes, foster homes or . The children are typically between the ages of 6-15 yrs., and sibling groups are available.

Referral and Travel

Once your dossier has been approved and a possible match has been made, a referral packet will be forwarded for you to review. The referral will include information on the medical, developmen- tal and social history of the child or children. A video or photos may also be available. Additional information can also be obtained as needed and available. Following your acceptance of the referral, and granted approval from the Central Authority, you will make your first trip to Poland to meet the child or children and begin the legal processing of your adoption. This trip requires a stay of five business days, and families generally file theI-800 following this first trip.

The second trip is on average, six months later, and for this trip both parents are required to travel to Poland prior to, and remain for both assigned court dates. It is possible for one of you to return to the U.S. after the second court date if necessary. Estimated length of stay in Poland for the second trip is currently six to eight weeks in length. During this time, you will await the final adoption decree and amended birth certificate, obtain your child’s Polish Passport and other required documents before having a Visa Interview Appointment at the U.S. Embassy, which issues visas for all adopted children. (More specific information on Visa requirements will be provided to you during your adoptive home study and preparation process.)

While in Poland, adoptive families will receive the support and assistance of a Catholic Charities staff member in arranging for housing and completing all steps in the adoption process.

Intercountry Adoption Fees The program fees for an international adoption will differ depending on the program you are involved with and the country in which you adopt. Catholic Charities currently provides placement services from Poland to both local and out-of-area families. We also provide home study, adoption preparation and post placement services to local families that choose to adopt from other countries. The program fees include:

Poland $275– Application Fee $1250– Home Study Phase I

$2250– Home Study Phase II & Completion

$3000– Documents/Translation

$9000– Foreign Program Fee*

$1000– Post Placement Fees

————— $16,775 +

+ For each additional sibling placed, there is an additional $1500* fee in order to increase the humani- tarian aid to the and cover additional translation expenses.

International Adoption (Other Countries)

$275– Application Fee

$1250– Home Study Phase I

$2250– Home study Phase II & Completion

$1800 - Program & Processing Fee

TBD– Foreign Program Fee

$1000– Post Placement Fees

————— $6,575

 Please contact the placing agency for further information regarding the Agency and Foreign Program fee of that country.

Please note that the fees referenced above do not include: travel, lodging, meals, attorney fees, and the child/children’s visa/s and medical exam/s. *New Placement Fee Effective July 1st, 2013. Your adoption specialist can provide you with a fee worksheet upon request. Fees are subject to change, and may change due to varying circumstances. For a complete list of components under each fee category, please call (312) 655-7086.

Adoption Financial Resources

Personal Savings, Bank Loans and Fundraising Many families use personal savings, take out bank loans, or receive financial help from family and friends. Some banks and credit unions offer adoption loan programs or home equity loans for adoptions. Families have held fundraisers or have set up an adoption bank account, where friends or family can make tax-deductible donations towards the adoption.

Adoption Tax Credits Use IRS Form 8839 to figure the amount of your adoption credit and any employer-provided adoption benefits you can exclude from your income for the adoption of an eligible child, which includes provisions for families adopting children either in the U.S. or internationally. For 2013 the maximum credit and exclusion are both $12,970, per eligible child. The amount begins to phase out if you have modified adjusted gross income in excess of $194,580 and is completely phased out for modified AGI of $234,580 or more. Please see your tax consultant for more information.

Employer Assistance / Adoption Benefits Your employer may offer adoption assistance in various forms. Ask your Human Resources Department to determine if your company offers assistance. For more information about employer adoption benefits please vis- it www.adoptionbenefits.com, contact the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption at1-800-275-3832, or the National Adoption Center at 1-800-TO-ADOPT.

Assistance for Military Families Please discuss the current adoption assistance information with your base personnel. You can also contact the Adoption Exchange Association at 303-333-0845 to receive their publication, You Can Adopt! A Guide for Military Families.

Adoption Loans, Grants, and Resources Catholic Charities does not have experience with the following organizations. This information was gathered and compiled from the Internet:

The Abba Fund Child Welfare Information Gateway Lifesong for Orphans P.O. Box 1120 Children's Bureau/ACYF (Formerly Life International) Ramseur, NC 27316 1250 Maryland Avenue SW, 8th floor P.O. Box 40 888-775-3422 Washington, DC 20024 202 N. Ford St www.abbafund.org 800-394-3366 Gridley, IL 61744 http://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/adoptive/ 309-747-3556 A Child Waits Foundation funding.cfm http://www.lifesongfororphans.org 1136 Barker Rd. Pittsfield, MA 01201 China Care Foundation National Adoption Foundation 866-999-2445 P.O. Box 607 36 Plain Mill Rd www.achildwaits.org Westport, CT 06881 Danbury CT 06810 203-227-3655 347-932-3678 A Child’s Desire www.chinacare.org www.nafadopt.org 1735 1/2 Washington Natchitoches, LA 71457 Gift of Adoption Fund National Council For Adoption 318-354-1229 P.O. Box 567 225 N. Washington St. www.achildsdesire.org 2001 Waukegan Road, 5th Floor Alexandria, VA 22314 Techny, IL 60082 703-299-6633 Acres of Hope Adoption Assistance 877-905-2367 www.adoptioncouncil.org 29525 Four Corners Store Rd. www.giftofadoption.org Mason, WI 54856 The National Endowment for 715-765-4118 God’s Grace Adoption Ministry, Inc. Financial Education [email protected] P.O. Box 4 5299 DTC Boulevard, Suite 1300 www.acresofhope.org Modesto, CA 95353 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 209-572-4539 303-741-6333 AdoptTogether.org www.ggam.org http://www.nefe.org Helping Families Fund Adoption Home for Good Foundation Oxford Adoption Foundation, Inc. Airlines Discount 697 E. Intervale Rd. 4309 Crayton Rd. Various airlines offer discounted airfares for Grants Pass, OR 97527 Naples, FL 34103 families traveling to bring home their adopted 541-479-5926 Phone: 239-430-6240 child www.hfgf.org/ Fax:239-430-4663

Affording Adoption Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries www.affordingadoption.com/ 8625 N Whitehouse Drive http://www.resources4adoption.com Spokane, WA 99208 Brittany's Hope Foundation 509-325-8262 1160 North Market Street www.kingdomkidsadoption.org * MBNA Bank has a program that offers lines of Elizabethtown, PA 17022 credit up to $25,000. 717-367-9614 www.brittanyshope.org

This list was last verified: 12/19/2012