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.

One reference suggests 250,000 infant girls are abandoned annually due to the one child policy. Only 15,000 will be adopted. Our families who have adopted from China are happy with the process.  In the past they were matched with healthy infants in a year.  Time lines have slowed considerably and the current wait is unknown.  The children are typically 9 months and up at the age of placement. Estimated expenses, including travel costs, can be around $22,000 Cdn.

If you are thinking about adopting from China, you should do some research. You should read “Passage to the Heart” by Amy Klatzkin. Interview a family who adopted from China like Lisa Konkin at (403) 203-0335 or someone in your area from the International Adoptive Families Association at (403)270-2424 and check out  or the National Geographic video called “Lost Daughters of China”. The Chinese government has imposed limitations on who is eligible to adopt.  Check out their eligibility criteria at www.adoptionalberta.gov.ab.ca.  (Click on International Adoption and scroll down to China link.)

Complete Alberta Child and Family Services International Adoption Registration form which is available on their adoption website www.adoptionalberta.gov.ab.ca before proceeding.

Take the” Preparation for International Adoption Course” offered at C.A.S. for $250 couple or $200 for a single person. This is a requirement for all international applicants in the province of Alberta.

Fill out the Christian Adoption Services Application, send in the information as you complete it. arrange for a Social Worker to come to your home to complete the home study making sure you have the “Home Study Self Report” to hand to her when she arrives.

Choose a coordinator, one who will travel with you to China. Two we hear excellent reports about are:

• Family Outreach International (Contact: Yulen Deng; 866-789-8677; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
• Tribo Services (Contact: Bonnie Wong; 604-322-8606; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Always ask to talk to couples who have used these coordinators as references, or call the IAFA. or Christian Adoptions for the names of couples who worked with various coordinators.

Contact Immigration, they have a web site where you can get their application form.

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

You will receive a ‘proposal’ including a photo and medical information. You may choose to send it to the Edmonton Adoption Clinic (Dr. Cecilia Baxter) or the Calgary Adoption Clinic (Dr. Katherine Smart) for their opinion. Fly to China 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.