Happy New Year!

Program Updates

Last week we received one LOA & one TA for Waiting Children families.   This week we’ve received 2 PA’s – both for Journey of Hope children!

 LOA’s seem to be coming quicker for China Waiting Children families.  For families that have had their dossier logged in for several months before they submit their LOI, the LOA has been coming in about a month or less after their PA.  For families that have PA before submitting their dossier, the LOA has been coming between 1-2 months from the time of LID. 

Last week we received 3 referrals for families with LID of May 29, 2006.  The children are from Jiangsu province, ages 8-12 months, and are 2 boys and 1 girl!  The 2 boys were for families that had put their gender preference as “either.”

A new shared list also came out last week and so far we’ve had one LOI submitted for a child on this list.

We have 3 families that are headed to China this week to meet their newest children in the New Year.  We wish them the best on their journey!

Important Information

The adoption tax credit was extended through December 31, 2012.  The refundability of the tax credit will remain in effect for 2011; however it will not be available for 2012 adoptions.  Also it’s our understanding that the adoption tax credits carried forward from previous years will also be refundable, which means that families who adopted as far back as 2005 but who didn’t have enough tax liability to use their entire credit can take advantage of the credit with their 2010 return.  For further information, we suggest you consult with a tax accountant.

Other Information

Remember that our office will be closed on December 30 and 31 for the New Year holiday.  We will be back next year on January 3^rd!

 A new film, Change of Plans, will air January 8th 8/7c on FOX.  This is a pro-adoption film supported by Moms4FamilyTV.  This heart-warming, funny film surrounds a married couple with no kids, who--through unfortunate events –ends up adopting 4 kids from Africa, Asia, and South America. The film reveals how fulfilling life can be when you look beyond your own plans and invest in the lives of others.  You can watch the trailer for this film at:  Change of Plans - Trailer

We’d like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and look forward to more referrals in 2011!

Happy (busy) Holidays!

Program Updates

We received 2 TA’s this week for China Waiting Children families.

This week we have 8 regular China program families and 4 China Waiting Children families returning home with their newest family members.  We hope the children all make an easy adjustment to their new family life.   See my previous blog for the “red couch” photo of this group.

We also have 4 families heading to China at the end of the year and 1 so far in January. 

We have been told that the next group of regular China referrals have been mailed & anticipate their arrival on Monday, but don’t know yet what LID’s these referrals will cover.  Our next LID group is May 26, 2006.

A new list of shared files will be released on December 21^st, which will be Monday night for us.  

Other Information

For the holiday season, our office will be closed December 23-26 and December 30-January 2.  Should any families be matched with children on the shared list during this time, we will be available to assist them.

Continuing on with our 10 part series of sharing the Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know:

This is the final post in the ten week series of  Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know, which was developed by Richard Sudsberry, MA, LMFT, LMHC, who is a clinician specializing in attachment and children.  As a reminder, we will be hosting a webinar on January 6^th, 2011 entitled Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know.  Registration is limited and the invitation to register will be coming by email early next week.

The last concept is Playfulness.  Be an interesting parent.  Playfulness fosters innocence, innocence fosters vulnerability, and vulnerability fosters emotional regulation and cooperation in relationships.  The holidays present a perfect time for playfulness.  Enjoy the snow, time with family, and the joy this season brings.

We hope you will join us for the webinar!

Happy Holidays!

Betty

Red Couch Photo

Twelve families will be coming home this week with their new children!  Congratulations to the families and we wish them safe travels home. (To view the photo, go to our blog at ftiachina.blogspot.com)

Breakfast with Santa

Program Updates

We received 2 PA’s and 2 TA’s this week for China Waiting Children families.

We have 12 families currently in China and doing well.  Travel started out rather rocky for some of these families due to snow delays in the US.  Air travel is always subject to delays, but especially now during the winter months when weather can create delays and missed connections.   When planning travel, we always make sure there is at least a one day buffer so that such delays don’t upset a family’s adoption itinerary.

Other Information

Last Saturday, our Evansville office hosted the 2^nd annual Breakfast with Santa and invited all our local families to come join us.  I’m posting photos of some of the children as they met with Santa and his elves.  (To see the photos, please go directly to the blog at:  http://ftiachina.blogspot.com   Thanks to all the families that came out to see us!

Continuing on with our 10 part series of sharing the Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know:

The concept for week 9 is to Provide lots of structure and nurturing.  Define roles in parent responses.  For example – “My job as your mother is to……. and your job is to……..” Children from difficult places need calm, secure rules (both formal and informal), role definitions, their unacceptable behavior to be stopped, an invitation for your child to experience things he/she finds challenging. Nurturing will include lots of rocking, holding, snuggling, healthy touches, positive eye contact, perhaps co-sleeping with young children, and using an article of clothing as a transition object.  65% of all interaction is social/emotional!

If you have any questions about the concepts presented or would like to talk in more detail please contact cscheller@ftia.org.   As a reminder, we will be hosting a webinar on January 6^th, 2011 entitled Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know.  Registration information to come.

It's already December!

Program Updates

We currently have 12 families in China that have just met their newest children.  We hope they are making many pleasant memories.

Since our last post we received 5 PA’s and 2 LOA’s for China Waiting Children families.  Three of those PA’s were for children on our Special Focus list. 

No word yet on when the next group of non-special needs referrals will come out.

Important Program Changes

The CCAA recently came out with new information on their ruling for families interested in adopting 2 children in the same year.  For families that have already completed an adoption in the past year, they may now identify a Special Focus child and if they submit their Letter of Intent for that child within a year of their last adoption, they will be able to use a copy of their old dossier for this adoption!  The family will need to update their home study, update their CIS approval and submit a new Petition Letter, but will not have to update any of their other dossier documents. 

The Adoption Simplification Act became law on November 30.  This allows families that are Hague and are adopting a child 10 years old or younger to now sign a waiver for the child’s immunizations in China.  This comes as great news for children that could have been facing receiving numerous vaccinations at their medical exam in China.  The waiver form (DS-1981) must be signed and notarized and submitted at the time of their consulate appointment.  The current form will be revised in the future to indicate that it does apply to Hague cases, but will be accepted until that time.  It can be found at http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/80002.pdf

Continuing on with our 10 part series of sharing the Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know:

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, I’ve combined two weeks of this series below:

I really like the concept for week 7.  Celebrate for who the child is and what he/she does. Try to create 20 celebrations for each criticism.  Celebrate the child for what he/she does right.  Some days that may mean you will need to really look for those things and even celebrate the small stuff.  The celebrations might include high fives, knuckle bumps, hugs, or affirming touches that matures affection, adult to child.  You may even make a celebration day that includes going to get ice cream because “You are such an amazing kid.”

The concept for week #8 is the understanding that for children from difficult places, we need to see resistance, aggression, attention needing behaviors, and compulsive actions and attitudes as stress or fear states – NOT MISBEHAVIORS. The understanding is larger than the expectations.  Children need lots of empathy and compassion about fears.  We need to acknowledge and accept fears, don’t dismiss them.  Help your child take small steps at facing their fears over time.  Children from difficult places need parent acceptance of feelings in the face of what makes them fearful…often masked as hurt (withdrawal), anger (aggression) or anxiety (compulsive) behaviors.

If you have any questions about the concepts presented or would like to talk in more detail please contact cscheller@ftia.org.   As a reminder, we will be hosting a webinar entitled Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know at the end of this series (January 2010).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Program Updates

This week we received one Travel Approval for a China Waiting Child.  This family will be joining the group that is leaving on December 1^st.

A new list of shared files of waiting children will be posted by CCAA on Tuesday, November 23^rd.  No word yet on the next group of the non-special needs China referrals.

The International Adoption Simplification Act passed House approval on Monday.  This law will now go into effect when the President signs it, or if not signed, will be effective 10 days after it lands on his desk.  This law will allow all Hague families to sign an immunization waiver promising that they will have their newly adopted child immunized in the U.S. and eliminate the need for children to have all of their immunizations done before leaving China.  This is great news for the older adoptive children who often have to receive several immunizations at the time of their medical exam in Guangzhou.

Journey of Hope and Special Focus Update

Our first Journey of Hope child is coming home the week before Christmas!   We wish her and her family safe travels and an easy adjustment period.

Other Information

FTIA offices will be closed November 24-26 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

There will also be no blog postings next week. 

Here’s a great offer on one of my favorite adoption books:  http://www.emkpress.com/adoptparent15sw.html  I often find articles from this book to send to families regarding a variety of situations.

Continuing on with our 10 part series of sharing the Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know:

On week #6 - we focus on Developing rituals that organize meaning for the child:

1.      Greet your child into the day.  For example, when waking your child in the morning you might say “I can’t wait to see your beautiful brown eyes open!”

2.      Spend time in their world of play.  As mentioned in previous weeks, it is important to spend at least 30 minutes each day playing with your child.

3.      Create calming, soothing rituals that relax them into sleep. Depending on your child’s age, this might mean reading a book, giving a lotion massage, talking about the day’s events, snuggling while listening to music.  Whatever the routine, it should be consistent and calming.

This concept is giving attention to the child on the parent’s terms…greeting the child into the day, narrowing the child’s world to what they can handle, developing rituals of experience that help the child anticipate parents, and learn to perceive themselves through parent perceptions.

If you have any questions about the concepts presented or would like to talk in more detail please contact cscheller@ftia.org.   As a reminder, we will be hosting a webinar entitled Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know at the end of this series (December 2010).

During this time, I am reminding of how thankful I am to have been blessed by adoption.  I hope everyone enjoys a great Thanksgiving holiday!

 Betty

Approvals This Week

Program Updates

This week we received 3 PA’s (pre-approvals) and 1 LOA (letter of acceptance) for China Waiting Children families. 

We have also finalized travel plans for 11 families (8 with the regular program and 3 with CWC program) that will be leaving on December 1^st to meet their new children.

Journey of Hope and Special Focus Update

Drew and Tina from Journey of Hope, as well as Landon and Liam from Special Focus are on hold and will hopefully have Letters of Intent submitted for them soon.

Other Information

The CCAA orphanage donation has been set at 35,000 RMB for some time now.  With the US currency exchange rate worsening, we are finding this now translates to $5,345 in US dollars (up from $5,224).

Continuing on with our 10 part series of sharing the Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know:

#5:   The concept for week five is to allow your child to experience consequences. This means consequences not punishments….consequences that are congruent with the child’s actions.  Help your child face the results of the actions (cause and effect thinking), all the while maintaining a loving acceptance of the child.  Come along side of your child with perspective and use it as a teachable moment.  For example, if your child forgets his home work at school, you might retrieve it the first time and explain what might have happened if the home work wasn’t retrieved.  This gives the child a chance to think about the consequences.  If the child forgets the homework a second time, perhaps you don’t retrieve the homework from school and have her/him face the consequences for the action. “Cause and effect” thinking is a great concept to teach children at an early age – as it is something we use all day, every day.

If you have any questions about the concepts presented or would like to talk in more detail please contact cscheller@ftia.org.   As a reminder, we will be hosting a webinar entitled Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know at the end of this series (December 2010).

Happy National Adoption Month!

Program Updates

We received 3 more TA’s, this time for China Waiting Children families, so they will be joining the 8 other families leaving on December 1^st!  What a great holiday these families will have!

We also received 2 LOA’s this week.

New referrals went out through the regular China program for families with LID’s through May 23, 2006.  Since our next LID group is May 26, 2006, we did not receive referrals this time.

Special Focus Update

Two girls from our Special Focus program have families that have committed to them.  Congratulations to “Amy” and “Lexi” and their new families!

Other Information

November is National Adoption Month!  Here’s one of my favorite quotes:

From Radical by David Platt :
"...orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names.
They are easier to ignore before you see their faces.
It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them
in your arms.
But once you do, everything changes."

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has launched a new resource page for adoption health issues on their website.  You can find this at: http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/adoption

Continuing on with our 10 part series of sharing the Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know:

#4:   It is important to Keep perspective beyond the child’s difficult moments -  Perceiving the mind of the child within and beyond the child’s behavior.  Only give a 30 to 60 second lecture (we generally lose their attention after that)…..addressing unacceptable behavior, stopping it, and providing acceptance beyond correction.  This sounds so simple, but can be very difficult to follow through with.  It may take some practice. 

Sometimes, it is best for Mom or Dad to take time and think before addressing unacceptable behavior.  It can also be better for your child.  If your child is very upset, she/he may be unable to comprehend what you are saying.  It is actually more effective to wait until your child is calm to discuss the behavior.

If you have any questions about the concepts presented or would like to talk in more detail please contact cscheller@ftia.org.   As a reminder, we will be hosting a webinar entitled Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know at the end of this series (December 2010).

Red Couch Photo

Here's Emma Grace on the red couch!  She seems happy to be coming home with her new family tomorrow!  (To view the photo, go to our blog at ftiachina.blogspot.com)

TA’s, and PA’s and LOA’s – Oh My!!!

Program Updates

Yes, this week we received TA’s for 8 families that received referrals last month through the regular China program.   These families will be traveling December 1st and bringing home their new daughters just in time for Christmas!

Also, we received 2 PA’s and 2 LOA’s for China Waiting Children program!    And we’re very happy to announce that Lexi and Amy from our Special Focus program have both found their families.

We have one family currently in China that has met their new daughter and is doing fine.

Halloween News

If your little goblins are going out to Trick-Or-Treat on Sunday, we though you might be interested in this article on Halloween safety tips:

http://www.iyi.org/resources/doc/Peyton-Manning-Childrens-Hospital-Halloween-Safety-Tips.pdf

Other Information

Continuing on with our 10 part series of sharing the Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know:

The concept for week #3 is Emotional Joining.  Emotional joining………..being happy, sad, angry with the child in his or her feelings.  This is labeling feelings aloud.  Be happy with the child -  not just for him.  Be sad with your child - not just for him.  An example of how you might do this is when your child expresses sadness over not being included in a game at school; you might say “That makes me sad for you too.”  “I bet you felt really bad when that happened”.  Use this opportunity to name the feelings that are associated with the experience (sad, a bit mad, lonely, etc.). This is especially important for children who are not able to identify emotions well and for young children to help them understand what they are feeling. Don’t forget to share solutions or ideas about how to handle the situation, should it arise again.

If you have any questions about the concepts presented or would like to talk in more detail please contact cscheller@ftia.org.   As a reminder, we will be hosting a webinar entitled Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know at the end of this series.

Happy Halloween!

New Shared List!

Program Updates

Five families returned home this week with their newest family additions; while one more headed to China to meet their new child. 

A new list of shared files for waiting children was posted Tuesday night and our Beijing staff was able to match some of our families. 

Other Information

Good news for those adopting in 2010!!  The adoption tax credit was raised to $13,170 per child and was made refundable.  This means that eligible taxpayers can get the credit even if they owe no tax for the year!  To learn more, go to the IRS website at:  http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=228301,00.html

Continuing on with our 10 part series of sharing the Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know:

This week we introduce Concept #2 Attunement – Parents setting their feelings and reactions aside, to perceive the child’s behavior through the child’s eyes.  Parents should try to state the child’s needs to him/her without judgment, but with perspective.  A common example of this might be when your child wants your attention and may engage in behavior to get your attention, such as hitting, interrupting a conversation, or intentionally doing something that is not acceptable. In this case, an example of attunement may be to say to your child, “I think you need me to…..” rather than saying “You know you are not supposed to interrupt when I’m talking”.  We want to recognize and acknowledge the child’s needs, not focus on the behavior.  This can be especially challenging for parents.  Put this concept to work this week and see what type of response you get from your child!

The Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know was developed by Richard Sudsberry, MA, LMFT, LMHC, who is a clinician specializing in attachment and children.  At the conclusion of these ten weeks, Rick will host a webinar for our families to answer questions and have more in-depth discussion about the ideas or concepts that we have shared. 

Red Couch Photo

Here's the red couch photo from our 5 families currently in China.  These families will be returning hom on Thursday!  (To view the photo, go to our blog at ftiachina.blogspot.com)

10 Things Adoptive Parents Need Know - #1

Program Updates

Our five families current in China have met their children and are doing well!  We have another family that will be leaving next week to meet their new daughter.

We did not receive any new approvals this week; but since CCAA was closed last week, this was as expected.

Other Information

Over the next ten weeks, we will be sharing the Ten Things Adoptive Parents Need to Know, which was developed by Richard Sudsberry, MA, LMFT, LMHC, who is a clinician specializing in attachment and children.  At the conclusion of these ten weeks, Rick will host a webinar for our families to answer questions and have more in-depth discussion about the ideas or concepts that we have shared.  All of these issues focus on intentional logics to reduce fear, regulate, distract, and mature children over time.  Love replaces fear, fear cannot reduce fear in a child’s mind, only love can!

This week we begin with Concept #1 – Spend time in your child’s world.  Your child wants and needs time with you each day, where you are “in their world’ by playing, sitting on the floor, and involving them in home based activities.  Minimally, we think parents should spend at least 30 minutes daily. Of course, more is better! If you have more than one child, this time, ideally, should be individual with each child. Some ideas of things you might do with your child are:

Puzzles/or books by having your child on your lap

Play on the floor with toys

Blow bubbles

Mimic facial expressions

Fix one another’s hair

For older children, you may want to simply sit and talk

Make a dessert or meal together

It would be good to have your child give you ideas about what he/she would like to do with their “mommy time” or “daddy time”.  You will be surprised how quickly ideas emerge and how excited your child will be!

As a reminder, CIS has announced new fees for I600A and I800A applications starting 11/23/10.  For applications received after this date, the fee will now be $720 and biometrics will cost $85 per person.  This is up from the previous fees of $670 for the application and $80 for biometrics.

For more information, follow this link:  http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=53173dc5cb93b210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Referrals, new blog & CIS price changes

Program Updates

Referrals came for the regular China program last week, and we would like to share more information on the children.  We have 9 families that received and accepted referrals for girls, from just under 5 months to 8 months old.  All the girls are from Yifeng County SWI in Jiangxi province.

We received 2 Letter of Acceptances (LOA) for China Waiting Children families this week!   Five families with the China Waiting Child program headed to China this week to soon meet their newest children and one family will be leaving in 2 weeks.

Congratulations to all of these families!

Journey of Hope & Special Focus

We have had a lot of interest recently in our Special Focus as well as our Journey of Hope children.  To learn more about these programs, please go to our website at:  http://www.ftia.org/waitingchildren/JOHList.asp    Families that currently have active applications with FTIA can see all the files of the Journey of Hope children and the Special Focus children by joining the JOH Yahoo group at:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FTIA-JOH.

If you aren’t currently active with FTIA, just fill out and fax us an application (with no fees) and once received, we will send you an invitation to join the Yahoo group.

Our Journey of Hope blog can be seen at: http://ftia-joh.blogspot.com.

Other Information

Offices in China are opening back up again this Friday after being closed for the National Holiday!   The October Trade Fair in Guangzhou will begin next week and the Asian Games will also be held in Guangzhou November 12-27.  We don’t expect either of these events to affect any of our families travel plans. 

CIS has announced new fees for I600A and I800A applications starting 11/23/10.  For applications received after this date, the fee will now be $720 and biometrics will cost $85 per person.  This is up from the previous fees of $670 for the application and $80 for biometrics.

China Referral and Dossier Review Update

 

Referral and dossier review update:
Through the CCAA's online site for adoption agencies, we received the following update regarding the review of dossiers and placement of children:
Document Processing:
The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before November 30, 2009.
The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before May 18, 2006.

China Referral and Dossier Review Update

Referral and dossier review update:
Through the CCAA's online site for adoption agencies, we received the following update regarding the review of dossiers and placement of children:
Document Processing:
The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before November 30, 2009.
The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before May 15, 2006.