These country updates bring you the most current and up-to-date information from our program coordinators. One way of keeping you informed of what is going on in the country.
July 2011
We have two children with minor and moderate special needs waiting for their forever families. To request more information on these waiting children please contact Angela Jackson. There may be a reduction in international fees and these adoptions should process through the Armenian system relatively quickly.
We are currently not accepting new applications for Armenia as it is considered full. There are a limited number of adoptions completed in Armenia each year and we conscientiously keep our program small.
If you have any questions about adopting from Armenia, please contact Allie Weldon.
June 2011
We have two families adopting waiting children that continue to move forward and hope these families will bring their children home later this summer. We have two more waiting children with minor and moderate special needs who desire forever families. There may be a reduction in international fees and these adoptions should process through the Armenian system relatively quickly. To request more information on these waiting children, please contact contact Angela Jackson.
We are currently not accepting new applications for Armenia as it is considered full. There are a limited number of adoptions completed in Armenia each year and we conscientiously keep our program small.
If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
May 2011
We have two little boys with minor and moderate special needs in need of forever families. There is a reduced international fee and these adoptions should process through the Armenian system relatively quickly. To request more information on these waiting children, please contact contact Angela Jackson.
We are currently not accepting new applications for Armenia as it is considered full. There are a limited number of adoptions completed in Armenia each year and we conscientiously keep our program small.
If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
April 2011
We have two families traveling to Armenia this month for their first trip. The most recent family to travel had only good things to say about their experience in country! They were especially pleased with the personal attention from our Armenian attorney. Activity is picking up and we hope this pattern will continue!
We are currently not accepting new applications for Armenia as it is considered full. However, we are in need of a couple of families to be matched with waiting children with minor to moderate special needs. To request more information on these waiting children, please contact Angela Jackson.
If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
March 2011
We are anticipating that adoption activity will soon pick up in Armenia now that the new Minister of Justice is settling into the position.
We are currently not accepting new applications for Armenia as the program is considered full. There are a limited number of adoptions completed in Armenia each year and we conscientiously keep our program small. However, we are seeking a couple of families to be matched with waiting children with minor to moderate special needs. To request more information on these waiting children, please contact Angela Jackson.
If you have any questions about adopting from Armenia, please contact Allie Weldon.
February 2011
In January our attorney informed us that there is a new Minister at the Ministry of Justice, the Central Authority for adoptions in Armenia. When staff changes occur there are often slight changes in procedures and timeframes as new staff make adjustments. We are hopeful that this will be a positive change for Armenian adoptions!
Currently we are not accepting new applications for Armenia as the program is considered full. There are a limited number of adoptions completed in Armenia each year and with that in mind we aptly keep our program small.
If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
January 2011
We welcomed home a family with their beautiful baby girl from Armenia just in time for the holidays! The family was pleased to share that their time in Armenia was a wonderful experience and they could not be happier. We are seeing some movement in this program and look forward to what 2011 may bring.
We continue to accept a limited number of new applications. Families with demonstrable Armenian heritage may apply to be matched with a child birth to three years of age. Parents must be open to being matched with a child of either gender, unless there are other children in the home. Families also need to be prepared to parent a child with minor and correctable special needs. Armenia is a small country and there are few international adoptions completed each year. With this in mind, families without demonstrable Armenian heritage are welcome to apply but should be open to a child with varying degrees of special needs, from moderate to severe and on-going or a child ages 3 years and older.
If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
December 2010
We have one family in Armenia working to finalize their adoption and they will soon bring their baby home as the 30 day wait following court was waived!
Armenians celebrate Christmas on January 6th (Epiphany). Christmas Eve is full of traditions, including families gathering together for a large meal. On Christmas Day the children often bring fruit, nuts and candies to their elder relatives. Children receive gifts from Grandfather Winter on New Year’s Eve rather than on January 6th as that day is reserved for religious traditions. The children believe that Grandfather Winter lives at the top of Mount Ararat rather than the North Pole.
We are currently accepting a limited number of new applications. Families with demonstrable Armenian heritage may apply to be matched with a child of any age (birth and older). Parents must be open to being matched with a child of either gender, unless there are other children in the home. Families also need to be prepared to parent a child with minor and correctable special needs. Armenia is a small country and there are few international adoptions completed each year. With this in mind, families without demonstrable Armenian heritage are welcome to apply but should be open to a child with varying degrees of special needs, from moderate to severe and on-going, or a child ages 3 years and up.
If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
November 2010
In October CAS Assistant Director, Julie Glandt, traveled to Armenia. Julie’s trip was productive and it was clear that the Armenian officials would like to continue to work with Carolina Adoption Services. We have two families who are preparing to travel, activity is picking up!
Now that we are seeing cases moving forward we will begin accepting a limited number of new applications. Families with demonstrable Armenian heritage may apply to be matched with a child, birth to three years of age. Parents must be open to being matched with a child of either gender, unless there are other children in the home. Families also need to be prepared to parent a child with minor and correctable special needs. Armenia is a small country and there are few international adoptions completed each year. With this in mind, families without demonstrable Armenian heritage are welcome to apply but should be open to a child with varying degrees of special needs, from moderate to severe and on-going or a child age 3 years and up.
If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
October 2010
CAS Assistant Director, Julie Glandt, will travel to Armenia the first week in October. Julie plans to meet with our attorney and adoption officials. Please look for news from Julie’s trip in next month’s country updates. At this time we are not accepting new applications as we wait for families who are in process to successfully complete their adoptions. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
September 2010
In August one family completed their first trip to Armenia. The family was very impressed with the excellent care which the children receive at the orphanages. Currently the time between the first trip and the second trip is approximately 3-4 months. At this time we are not accepting new applications as we wait for families who are in process to successfully complete their adoptions. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
August 2010
Our families with referrals are making progress with the next steps in their adoptions. At this time we are not accepting new applications as we wait for families who are in process to successfully complete their adoptions. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
July 2010
As anticipated, we are experiencing delays related to the new adoption laws as the Armenian government adjusts to the new procedures and the first few cases process through. CAS has families in all stages of the adoption process and we are optimistic about adoption activity in the coming months. At this time we are not accepting new applications as we wait for families who are in process to successfully complete their adoptions. We do anticipate opening applications again in September. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
June 2010
With the new adoption laws in place, it is anticipated that there may be some delays as the Armenian Government works through the first few cases under the new procedures. We are optimistic that by the end of the summer the three families with referrals may complete their adoptions. At this time we are not accepting new applications from families as we wait for families who are in process to successfully complete their adoptions. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
May 2010
Last month the new adoption laws were officially approved and are now in effect! Among the many changes in the laws include set timeframes for each step in the adoption process. This is a significant achievement for the Armenian government and we are optimistic that the changes will have a positive impact on adoptions. We are thrilled that in early June one of our waiting families will be making their first trip to Armenia! At this time we are not accepting new applications from families as we wait for families who are in process to successfully complete their adoptions. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
April 2010
On April 8th the Ministry of Justice held a meeting on adoptions and our families with referrals are moving forward with the next steps of their adoptions! We have families beginning to plan their first trip. At this time, we are not accepting new applications from families as we wait for families who are in process to successfully complete their adoptions. The new laws regulating adoption will soon come into effect and the revisions seem positive. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
March 2010
Armenia is taking active steps to fully implement the Hague process and put the best interest of children first! It is our understanding that the adoption legislation which will provide set timeframes for each step of the adoption process will go into effect later this month. These changes are expected to significantly reduce the time it takes families to complete their adoptions. At this time we are not accepting new applications from families as we wait for families who are in process to successfully complete their adoptions. We are hopeful that within the next few months our waiting families may make their first trip to Armenia. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
February 2010
We have been informed that the adoption legislation which will provide set timeframes for each step of the adoption thereby significantly reducing the time it takes families to complete their adoptions has passed and will go into effect in early March. At this time we are not accepting new applications from families as we wait for families who are in process to successfully complete their adoptions. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
January 2010
In Armenia our attorney continues to effectively work with government and orphanage officials to help our families successfully move forward with their adoptions. We remain hopeful that the pending adoption legislation will be passed as this will provide set timeframes for each step of the adoption which will significantly reduce the time it takes families to complete their adoptions.
Many Armenians celebrate the New Year with a traditional meal including darin. This is large flat bread in which a coin is hidden, whoever finds the hidden coin is the lucky family member for the upcoming year. We are accepting applications from families with demonstrable Armenia heritage. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
December 2009
Waiting families have received their approvals as registered prospective adoptive parents and the cases begin to move forward in the final steps. The Armenia team continues to work closely with orphanages and officials to move the adoptions of our families forward. We are hopeful that new legislation will soon be passed providing regulations on each step of the adoption process which may significantly decrease the time that it currently takes a family to complete their adoption. We are accepting applications from families with demonstrable Armenia heritage. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
November 2009
Our Assistant Director, Julie Glandt, had a very successful trip to Armenia last month. She was able to meet with officials from the Armenian government and the US Embassy, as well as our attorney and her staff, and the orphanage. We look forward to the continued improvements in the Armenian adoption process as we work together with officials and our staff to ensure a positive experience for our families. We are pleased to offer adoption services in the country of Armenia for families with demonstrable Armenian heritage. For more information about this program please contact us.
September 2009
We are pleased to announce that our Assistant Director, Julie Glandt, will be traveling to Armenia later this month! She will be meeting with our counterparts in Armenia, as well as some Armenian officials. She hopes to discuss the new laws and new Hague processes while she is there, as well as visit orphanages. We wish her safe travels and cannot wait to hear about her trip when she returns in early October! If you are interested in the CAS Armenia program and have demonstrable Armenian heritage, please contact Robyn Miller, 800.632.9312.
August 2009
The CAS Armenia Team continues to communicate with the Central Authority in Yerevan, as well as our counterparts in country to assist with the transition to the Hague process. Armenia recently changed some of their adoption process as well, and our counterparts in Armenia remain very positive and excited about the changes, remarking that it will lead to a smoother and more streamlined process in the future. The Armenia program at CAS continues to be a wonderful opportunity for families with demonstrable Armenian heritage to expand their family with a very young child! Contact Robyn Miller for more information.
July 2009
The Armenia program continues to progress well. Our Armenia team is working closely with our representatives and the Central Authority (Ministry of Justice) in Armenia to lay the ground work for the first Hague cases. We are proud to report that CAS will have the first Hague case to process through Armenia! We are also very pleased that this opportunity has led to increased communication and cooperation with Armenian officials. The CAS Armenia Team remains committed to offering top notch services to families of demonstrable Armenian descent and finding loving adoptive families for the children in need in Armenia. If you are interested in learning more about the Armenia program at CAS, please contact Armenia Program Coordinator Robyn Miller.
June 2009
This month has been a busy one in the Armenia program as we welcome new families and new referrals! We are actively recruiting families of demonstrable Armenian heritage into the program. Children are quite young at the time of referral, meaning they could be around six months of age or younger when they come home. If your family is of Armenian descent, and you would like to know more about this program, please contact Robyn Miller.
May 2009
The Armenia adoption program is actively looking for families with Armenian descent who wish to add to their family! The program is moving along very well and there are children waiting to find their forever families. If you are a family with Armenian heritage, there is currently a wonderful opportunity for you to move quickly through the program and bring home a child at a very young age. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Robyn Miller.
To view past Armenia adoption program updates, please see our CAS Publications page and click on the Monthly Country Updates.