Do you have the ability and sensitivity to raise a child who looks different from you? Can you provide positive Asian role models? Are you prepared to learn about China and its culture to share with your child? Talk to families who adopted from China, see if it is right or you.

Our families who have adopted from China are happy with the process. In the past families were matched with healthy female infants 9 months and up. Currently time lines are considerably slower. Families travelling now applied more than 4 years ago. Estimated expenses with travel can be around $22,000 Cdn.

China has a “Waiting Child” program that matches Alberta families with male and female infants and young children who have what they call “minor correctable medical issues”. These are likely to be cleft lip/cleft palate, heart murmurs, club foot, and surgically correctable problems. Not every family is appropriate to adopt a child with special needs. Families who apply need to have researched the conditions, and have access to medical services, speech therapy etc. This program seems to have a time line close to a year.

Research: read “Passage to the Heart” by Amy Klatzkin. Interview a family who adopted from China or someone in your area from the International Adoptive Families Association at (403)270-2424.  Check out http://www.journeytosydney.com and the National Geographic video called “Lost Daughters of China”.

Fill out the Alberta Children and Youth Services International Adoption Registration form which is available on their adoption website http://www.child.gov.ab.ca before proceeding.

Take the” Preparation for International Adoption Course” offered at CAS for $250 couple.

Fill out the Christian Adoption Services Application, send in the documents as they arrive. The application fee is $350 and the Home Study is $2500 plus mileage. When all your documents arrive a social worker will come to your home to complete the home study. Have the “Home Study Self Report” ready to hand to her when she arrives. The SAFE Home study will require two questionnaires. One will be completed when the worker is in your home. When the home study is completed, read it to make sure it accurately reflects your family. A copy of your most recent T4 slip must be attached to the home study.  We will forward the report to Adoption Services, and you will receive it back in 6-8 weeks.  You are approved to be an adoptive applicant once Adoption Services has signed off your home study.  Forward the sealed home study to your coordinator for translation, and dossier preparation

Visit the Immigration web site, and apply for immigration.

Wait... this is the hard part...  time lines are unknown at this time.  Read books like “Toddler Adoption” by Mary Hopkins-Best, “The Lost Daughters of China” by Karin Evans or “The Waiting Child” by Cindy Champnella; attend I.A.F.A. meetings and read Adoption Helper magazine or check out their China articles at www.familyhelper.net

You will eventually receive a ‘proposal’ including a photo and medical information. The proposal fee is $300. Send the proposal to the International Adoption Clinic for a medical opinion. This is critical for all international adoptions, but especially for children adopted through the Waiting Child program.   Complete the proposal acceptance or non acceptance form, and fax it to Adoption Services and courier them the original.

Fly to China when your permission to travel arrives. You will travel in a group with other adoptive parents and visit China for two weeks seeing the Great Wall, and other sights as you get to know your child before you return to Canada. When you return from China, stay close to home so your child becomes accustomed to their new home. Contact Adoption Services, so they are aware you have returned home.  Contact Christian Adoptions to complete two post placement reports ($300 each plus mileage).

Revised Jan 2011