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Bethany Christian Services ~ China Adoption Report |
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May 25, 2006 |
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According
to CCAA, all referrals have been matched with dossiers that are LID
through June 15, 2005. Bethany's
next group of families expecting referrals are those with LID of June 20,
2005. This means that we will
not receive referrals this month. From
last month, CCAA advanced by 9 days (LID June 6 thru LID June 15) for
referral matching. BCS did, however, receive two expedited referrals this week. We
pray that the month of June will bring referrals for our families with
June 20 LID. Bethany's next
LID group after June 20 is June 29. These
families have been waiting for approximately 12 months since their dossier
was logged-in at CCAA. It is
possible that the wait for a referral could potentially continue to
increase up to 18 months. This
means that families will need to be re-fingerprinted and re-submitting
their I-600A with home study updates since the I-171H will expire.
Social workers and their families should be monitoring these dates. We anticipate receiving a new "Children of Promise" list in the next few weeks. We will notify you as soon as we receive it. As we all know, the time between LID and referral has extended to approximately 12 months of waiting. This increased wait time is affecting all families that are currently in the program. We
should make plans--counting on God to direct us. ~Prov. 16:9 TLB The inherent nature of international adoptions is that there are many unknowns and possible changes. We have the privilege of working with China and are given the opportunity to place their children with care. In doing so, we must adhere to and respect China’s choices and changes. We continue to see CCAA working carefully in all aspects of the adoption process. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~Rom. 8:28 John Wynbeek, Bethany’s Director of International Services, recently met with representatives from CCAA in New York City. Jaclyn Piotrowski, Bethany’s China Adoption Coordinator, recently attended the Joint Council on International Children’s Services conference in Washington DC and met with the China Caucus. These two meetings facilitated discussions in regards to China adoptions. China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) is the sole governing body in China that is responsible for international adoptions. Any family in the world adopting from China, regardless of their adoption agency, has the same dossier submitted and reviewed by CCAA. The LID to referral timeframes also are the same across the board. Bethany Christian Services is a large, reputable, full service agency that is accredited to work with CCAA. CCAA has begun an “appraisal” process of how they evaluate the agencies that are accredited to work in China. The six areas that CCAA rates agencies on are as follows: the content of home studies and appropriateness of candidates meeting the eligibility requirements, the quality of the dossier, the adoption registration process, fee handling, special needs adoptions, and the timeliness and quality of post placement reports. Bethany Christian Services received the 2005 appraisal report and letter of continued approval. Starting in 2006, CCAA will post these report results on their website. Bethany Christian Services takes this appraisal system very seriously and we appreciate CCAA’s commitment to serving children and families. Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus. ~Phil. 4:6-7 There are various elements that are currently affecting the timeframes in the China adoption program. Historically, the average time frame between LID and referral has been 10-12 months. The wait has been as short as five months and as long as fourteen months. We understand that many families currently waiting for a referral entered the program when it was at its shortest. Although families are made aware that there are no guaranteed timeframes and are subject to change, nevertheless, these families’ expectations have been disappointed. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be
dismayed, for I am your God. I will uphold you with my righteous right
hand. ~Is. 41:10 CCAA has the best interest of their children in mind. They are in a position of having thousands of dossiers to process from around the world. The number of children abandoned and “available” has decreased, and they are working to structure the in-China domestic adoption program. CCAA is also managing a very high number of dossiers with organized caution. While this is good news for orphaned children, it does create longer waits for adoptive families. Basically, here are some of the reasons why the wait times are increasing between LID and referral:
Lord,
when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give
me renewed hope and cheer. ~Ps.
94:19 TLB We also acknowledge that more families are open to considering the “Children of Promise” (Bethany’s waiting and special needs program). We continue to see the “Children of Promise” being processed by CCAA in the typical timeframes. When families consider these children, we hope that they do so while acknowledging their special needs and not just to shorten their wait time for a child. Now
faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
~Heb. 11:1 When immersed in the adoption process, it is possible to lose sight of the purpose of the adoption or the end result in building and growing your family. Families become anxious, scared, inpatient, frustrated, and excited, among other emotions. We as your adoption agency advocate for your families. We pray that waiting families have patience and understanding during this wait. We pray that the children may know love prior to joining their new families. We ask families to continue to have Faith. The adoption process can definitely test our Faith and our Trust in the Lord and His Timing. The China adoption program continues to be stable with many orphans in need of families. We acknowledge that the wait continues to be difficult for families, especially when fielding questions from loved ones. We are happy to hear that families have such great support throughout this process. Although the wait time is increasing, we are celebrating the growing number of adoptive families for the children in China. Humble
yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in
due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you. ~1
Pet.5:6, 7 We want to encourage
families to stay positive and continue to be committed to their children
waiting for them… on the other side of the world.
Blessings~ Bethany Christian Services- International Your China Team
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