LATEST UPDATE
The Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues has issued the following update on April 29th:
There has been no official suspension in adoptions of Russian orphans by American parents. However, in some parts of Russia, we are aware that adoptions are being slowed down or delayed. The United States and Russia held their first round of talks on adoption issues in Moscow on April 29. The discussions focused on the U.S. and Russian concerns regarding protecting the welfare and rights of children being adopted internationally. The talks were productive and an expert-level working group will travel to Moscow for further discussions on an adoption agreement on May 12, 2010.
If you have completed an adoption in Russia and have an immigrant visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow:
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow is continuing to schedule and issue immigrant visas for adopted children using normal processing procedures. Contact the Embassy at MoscowConsularR@state.gov to schedule an appointment. Please also stay in close touch with your adoption service provider.
If you have a court appointment to finalize your child’s adoption in Russia:
Many adoption cases are continuing to move forward in the courts. We have heard of cases in which a court appointment has been postponed. If your court appointment is postponed by the court, please provide this information to us by email at RussiaAdoption@state.gov and MoscowConsularR@state.gov. We will work with the Russian authorities to try to resolve any problems.
If you do not yet have a court date to finalize an adoption in Russia, but are in the process of adopting from Russia:
Please stay in close contact with your adoption service provider, and check the adoption.state.gov website regularly for current information about intercountry adoption from Russia.
The Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues has established a special
e-mail box for inquiries or comments about adoptions from Russia. Prospective adoptive parents and others with concerns about adoptions from Russia may send their questions to RussiaAdoption@state.gov. Prospective adoptive parents may also provide complete contact information for themselves, including full address, phone number, and e-mail information, the name of their adoption service provider (if available) and details about the child they are planning to adopt.
CHI RUSSIA ADOPTION STATISTICS 2010
FOUR families travelled for their first trip in April, and ONE family had their court date.family had their court date.
For a more complete breakdown of Children's Hope adoption statistics, please contact your adoption consultant if you did not receive this Program Update by email.
BEYOND ‘BECAUSE THEY WAITED’: LIVE DISCUSSION FORUM
A live, online forum for adoptive parents to discuss the joys and challenges of parenting children adopted internationally or through foster care. Parents are encouraged to bring their questions, concerns and to also be ready to help other parents brainstorm parenting techniques. Each session will be centered around a specific topic (such as discipline, building attachment, race and culture issues, talking to children about adoption) but sessions will be loosely constrained so as to allow for free discussion between participants.
Beyond Because They Waited: Live Discussion Forum
1st and 3rd Wednesdays in May, June and July
10:00am Central Time
$30.00 (one time subscription fee for all 6 forums)
SUBSCRIBE HERE
Because we are committed to providing you a quality experience, we offer the following suggestions for those attending our Live Discussions:
- It is strongly suggested that participants have completed the Because They Waited system as forum discussions will assume participants have this foundation of knowledge.
- Subscribers who are unable to attend a session will be able to access a recorded version for 48 hours after the session.
- The focus of the forum will be issues that are mild to moderate in nature.
- Participants will participate online and by phone. (you will be able to mute your phone line if you have background noise you are unable to control for--like children!)
If you have any questions and/or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact your adoption consultant, and you may also reach me via email at Andrei.Skurtu@ChildrensHope.net
Best wishes,
The Russia Team
