Adoption Blog

Agency News

America World Adoption is proud to be able to offer families the opportunity to adopt from Rwanda. For more information, please email rwanda@awaa.org.

Events

"Spirit of Adoption" Seminars
Spring seminars will kick off in just 3 weeks! For details about a seminar near you, visit the Events page. We would like your help in getting the word out about these informational seminars. Talk to your church about promoting seminars near you via projected announcements, bulletin text and flyers. Also, be sure to invite those who may be interesting in adoption or wanting hear more about what God’s Word says about adoption! If you would like to distribute seminar promotion materials, please email Mike Stone. You can register for a seminar near you at the Events page or by calling 888-ONE-CHILD.

China Program

Important Renewal Information
As of August 1, 2007, USCIS changed its policy concerning the renewal of the I-171H / 797C form and fingerprints, offering free extensions to families whose fingerprints and I-171H expired as of August 1, 2007. Families renewing these documents for their adoption are encouraged to contact their family coordinator, social worker, or local USCIS office for information on their state’s policies and procedures concerning these changes.
***It is important to note that certain renewal documents must be submitted to USCIS before a family’s I-171H/797C expires in order to be eligible for a free renewal. A Home Study Update is also required to renew the I-171H/797C. Family Coordinators can assist families in gauging the correct timing and the correct documents needed for each state’s renewal process.

China Special Needs Program

Please join America World in praying that God may call forward their forever families for the children listed in bold print who are available for review. Referral information and pictures for these children are available for review. Families can call 1-888-One-Child or send an email and a Special Needs Coordinator will be happy to provide additional information on these children. There is also additional information on older children available for adoption that a Special Needs Coordinator can discuss with families who are interested in learning more.

El Salvador Program

The Latin America Program Director traveled to El Salvador this week to meet with government officials and visit orphanages. An update will be coming in the next few days to all families and posted on the Weekly Update next week.

Travel

Families in Travel Group 130 traveled to China and met their children this week. This group of families has now been in China for a week and is now preparing to travel from their child’s province to Guangzhou. America World requests prayer for these families as they get to know their children and begin the attachment process.
America World received travel approvals for 8 special needs families and one healthy family this week. Prayer is requested for several families awaiting expedited renewals in time to travel on February 21st. Consulate appointments were received for several families who will be traveling February 21st-March 5th.

Ethiopia Program

Five families traveled to Ethiopia to finalize their adoption and recently returned with their new children. Another group will be traveling in February. America World is actively negotiating to partner with more orphanages.

Kazakhstan Program

America World has not yet received any updates on the post placement review occurring in Kazakhstan, but continues to monitor the situation. America World will update families as soon as further information is available.

Russia Program

America World currently has four families in Krasnoyarsk, Russia finalizing their adoptions; with two other families who received their court dates this week and are preparing for travel. Two America World families are currently in Nizhny; one to meet their child and one family is there to finalize their adoption. America World continues to see movement among the various regions and will keep families informed with any news or progress. America World would like to ask for prayer for the staff in country as they work to provide referrals, travel, and court dates for families.
America World would strongly encourage families seeking to adopt boys to apply for the Russia program.

Ukraine Program

America World had one family travel to Ukraine this week for their SDA appointment. At this time the family has accepted a referral at the first appointment of a young boy. America World continues to monitor the situation in Ukraine and to encourage families seeking to adopt older children and children with special needs to apply to the Ukraine program.