Adoption Advocate Answers Your Questions

Adoption Advocate Answers Your Questions

" "20/20's" Elizabeth Vargas recently reported on an international adoption scandal stemming from the adoption of children from Cambodia. In her report, Vargas spoke with Trish Maskew, president and chief executive officer of Ethica: A Voice for Ethical Adoption, who advocates better regulation of both domestic and international adoption."

Adoption was the 'best decision we've ever made'

"When Tim and Christina decided they wanted to start a family, adoption wasn't the Bloomfield Hills couple's first choice."

"After years of fertility treatments, we said we would continue with the process until I turned 40," Christina said. "When that didn't work out, we decided to try adoption. ... I can now say that is the best decision we've ever made in our lives."

Adoption

ADOPTED KIDS - VISITORS IN THEIR NATIVE LAND

Andrea Laarman left Pandharpur, India, as a 16-month-old orphan.
She returned this year as an 18-year-old Grand Rapids high school student -- and was welcomed back to her birth city by three days of local newspaper headlines: "American Sneha Returns to the Ashram."

ADOPTED KIDS

US senator urges reforms in Indian adoption laws

"My mission is connected with neither IT nor outsourcing - they are not an issue. I am here to create a diplomatic tide to advance the cause of adoption," Craid said.

US senator urges reforms in Indian adoption laws

E.C. minister sees need to toughen adoption law

"An East Chicago minister who helped wage the community fight to reunite Baby Tamia with her family in Chicago is calling for new legislation to control predatory adoptions."

E.C. minister sees need to toughen adoption law

Child at center of interstate adoption fight returned to Illinois

"CHICAGO - (KRT) - A months-long custody battle over an infant girl that began with her Chicago mother's toll-free call to a Utah adoption agency ended Thursday in the arms of her grandmother at O'Hare International Airport."

KRT Wire | 03/24/2005 | Child at center of interstate adoption fight returned to Illinois

interstate adoption battle -Good chance Tamia is coming back

"Six-month-old Baby Tamia -- who has spent half her life at the center of an interstate adoption battle -- is likely on her way back to Illinois.

But it will be up to a Cook County judge to decide whether the child is placed back with her Chicago family or remains in the protective custody of child welfare officials."

Good interstate adoption battle

Utah Couple in Adoption Battle With Chicago Family

"CHICAGO (AP) - A baby locked in a custody battle between a Utah couple and a Chicago mother who gave the baby up for adoption is living in an emergency shelter after Salt Lake City police allegedly discovered drugs in the couple's home."

Adoption Battle

Love found - An older child adpoption

"It's tough for older foster children to find permanent homes. But a local adoption agency is building a model for success."

Love found

Asian adoptees, American parents, struggle to mesh cultures

Growing up on Long Island, where almost everyone around her was white, Lee-Ann Hanham would forget she had been adopted from South Korea. Really forget, she said, until she would pass a mirror.

"And you would stop and you would be surprised that, 'Oh my God, I'm not 5 foot 10, blond-haired and blue- eyed,' " Hanham recalls.

Asian adoptees, American parents, struggle to mesh cultures

Chinese adoption story is an odyssey of love

"As Julie and Craig Gaines strolled the streets of Nanchang, China, unexpected and remarkable episodes began to develop and kept recurring.
People would walk up to them and lay a gentle hand on their just-adopted daughter, Emma Li, and, with a universal smile, utter in English, "Lucky baby."

Chinese adoption story is an odyssey of love

Nonprofit adoption agency reaches milestone

"HAZLET — The adoption process is never an easy one. Between the paperwork that must be filled out and approved, and then the actual waiting time to get custody of the child, it can feel like an eternity for prospective parents.

But thanks to one local organization, there is a chance for people to build a family through domestic and international adoption. "

Nonprofit adoption agency reaches milestone

The matrix of India's adoption laws

"[India News]: New Delhi, March 16 : A US-based couple's struggle to take their Indian baby home may have finally come to an end, but the country's complex adoption laws continue to intimidate, confound and keep prospective parents away."

The matrix of India's adoption laws

Nonprofit adoption agency reaches milestone

"HAZLET — The adoption process is never an easy one. Between the paperwork that must be filled out and approved, and then the actual waiting time to get custody of the child, it can feel like an eternity for prospective parents.

But thanks to one local organization, there is a chance for people to build a family through domestic and international adoption. "

Nonprofit adoption agency reaches milestone

Dreams come true with adoption

"Families come easily to some people. A man and woman meet, fall in love, marry and create babies. With a combination of strength, faith and luck, the family endures until death divides it. But when this linear progression fails, when events occur out of order or are missed altogether, challenges ensue.
"

Dreams come true with adoption

Adoption ban pains U.S. families

"In January, a Romanian law went into effect that bans foreign adoption, solidifying a moratorium first imposed in 2001. The law came in response to criticism that the country's child welfare system was corrupt, including allegations that Romanian babies were being sold off and mistreated around the world.

But for about 200 American families engaged in the adoption process with the Romanian government -- and many more in other countries -- the law blocks them from children they want to help and, in many cases, consider their own. "

Adoption ban

Adoption agencies urged to change

Posted on Sat, Mar. 12, 2005



The Associated Press

NEW YORK — The backlog of children languishing in foster care could be sharply reduced if state agencies were more helpful to prospective parents asking about adoptions, according to a report.

Fewer than one out of 16 adults who make initial inquiries actually ends up adopting, the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute said.

The report urges state agencies to set up hot lines staffed by well-trained employees who provide callers with immediate, encouraging responses.

Throughout the process, state employees should strive to avoid alienating applicants, be cordial in broaching the issue of background checks and provide clear information, it said.

The report's lead researcher, Jeff Katz, formerly headed Rhode Island's state adoption agency. He and his colleagues surveyed more than 40 states, analyzed federal data and conducted interviews in Boston, Miami and San Jose, Calif.

Tax tip: adoption tax credit

"For most adoptive parents, the 2004 credit provides up to $10,390 and applies to the adoption of any child, including one who has special needs that could make him or her difficult to place. And a few years ago, the earnings limit was hiked, making it easier for well-paid adoptive parents to use this tax break."

More adoption tax credit info

BAW: Adoption Agencies: Demand for Black Babies Up Outside of the U.S.

"The number of black American-born babies adopted by overseas families has increased significantly in recent years, with black babies being placed with Canadian couples more than ever before, according to several prominent U.S. adoption agencies. "

BAW: Adoption Agencies

International adoptions are becoming more popular

By:Nancy Johnson


Florida - So many people want a family of their own. Some turn to adoption. But domestic adoption nightmares are forcing many to go overseas.

International adoptions are becoming more popular. Susan Fremer runs the Florida office of "Great Wall China Adoption." She and her husband traveled 8,000 miles to China to adopt two of their daughters.

SUSAN FREMER / GREAT WALL CHINA ADOPTION:
"When I heard all the stories about the abandoned babies over there, I said we have to go."

The risks of domestic adoptions are a scary reality for many. They fear cases like that involving the 3 year old Jacksonville boy who was caught in a custody battle recently.

JEANNE TRUDEAU TATE / HEART OF ADOPTIONS:
"They wait forever to be able to be a parent, going through infertility and uncertainty of that. To think there would be an opportunity for that child to be taken away from you really sends people to look at other options."

In 2002, about 21,000 children were adopted internationally. Most of the orphans issued immigrant visas come from Russia, China and South Korea. Adoption attorney, Jeanne Tate, suggests that families adopting internationally make it legal in the United States as well to be sure there arent problems later on.

For more information on international adoptions:

Susan Fremer
Florida Regional Office
Great Wall China Adoption
sfremer@tampabay.rr.com

Tampa Bay's 10 News

The Ugly Side of the Multi-Billion Dollar Adoption Business

" While the image of a would-be adopter begging an expectant mother to relinquish her child is familiar to my eyes, it is not something that should be portrayed as acceptable on a well-loved television program like "Friends." In fact, I would go so far as to say that the media should refrain from ever showing the act of adoption in a positive light."

The Ugly Side of the Multi-Billion Dollar Adoption Business

Pair accused of adoption scam after pledging twins

"For months, a Des Plaines couple pregnant with twins made plans to give the babies up for adoption.

Easter House, a Chicago-based adoption agency, paid the rent, food and other expenses for the couple while lining up a prospective family for the soon-to-arrive kids.

But according to a lawsuit recently filed in Cook County, it was a scam."

Adoption scam

PENELOPE CRUZ'S ADOPTION OFFER TURNED DOWN

"Spanish actress PENELOPE CRUZ is devastated an Indian adoption agency rejected her offer to adopt a baby she "fell in love with" - because she wasn't married.

The BLOW star begged authorities to let her mother a homeless child, during her work with MOTHER TERESA's missionaries in Calcutta four years ago (01).

But despite her unsuccessful attempt to take the child home, she's determined to adopt a baby within the next five years.

She explains, "My brother can't wait for me to have a baby so that I can relax a little bit. Last week I said I'd have a baby by the time I'm 35. I want a family.

"I also want to adopt a baby, even if I have my own. When I was in India I tried to adopt because I saw a baby that I fell in love with. But they didn't let me because I wasn't married. Something very strange happened, it's like we recognised each other."

Cruz's plans have fuelled speculation she's planning to settle down with her current current boyfriend, actor MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY.

The Many Miracles of Adoption

"Adoption is obviously a life-altering process for the adopted child, but we don't always hear much about how the adoptive family is changed and shaped as they open their home and hearts to a child. For the Chapmans, the move from being a family of five to one of eight has brought unforeseen blessings. Steven and Mary Beth say that parenting a second set of children has given them a whole new understanding of who they are as parents and their real role in the lives of their children."

Miracles of Adoption

Adoptive mother shares story of open adoption

"...open adoption, a process where a couple gains custody of a child after the birth parents choose them.

The Green Bay News-Chronicle Online - local news

Pair guilty in twin adoption scam

"A Wetumpka woman accused of using her infant twins as bait in a nationwide adoption scam has pleaded guilty along with her mother to theft by deception charges."

adoption scam

Decatur family adopts daughter from China

"Jim and Barbara Kitson adopted an 8-year-old girl. Since they are in their 50s, they were told they could get a girl 3 to 5 years old. Waiting time would be about a year."

"If they would take an older child, the process would be expedited. They agreed, and in three months they brought to Decatur a girl from an orphanage who had been abandoned twice."

This is a different Chinese adoption story.