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
February 2010
On January 16, 2010 CAS held its annual Father Frost Party at Brookhaven School in Greensboro. Families who attended were able to participate is crafts, games, and viewing of Russian children’s movies. The culmination of the event was a visit from Father Frost and the Snow Maiden!
The Russia Program is one of the few programs where referrals under 2 years old are available. For families interested in a stable program the Russia Program continues to be a viable option. Over the next two months you will have the opportunity to meet Tania at the February information meeting in Greensboro, or in March we will have a special Webinar on adopting from Russia. If you have questions about this program, please contact Tania. CAS also has a special information package just for families interested in adopting from Russia; contact Tania for one today. This program remains open and is actively seeking new families.
January 2010
The Russia program is beginning this New Year as our most dependable and best option for families who would like to move forward with their adoption. December was a busy month for the Russia Program. Three families successfully completed their court hearings. Two of the families returned home in December and one family returned home on Jan, 1, 2010! It is anticipated that there will be less activity in early part of January as Russians celebrate New Years and Orthodox Christmas. We here at CAS are busy making our preparations for our annual Father Frost Celebration that will be held on January 16th. Please join us!
The Annual Father Frost Party is scheduled for January 16, 2010 from 2-4 pm at the Brookhaven Country Day School at 3207 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro, NC. If you are able to attend, please contact Helen Nixon at 336-275-9660 or by e-mail at hmn@carolinaadoption.org. Home families and families interested in adopting from Russia are all invited.
Families interested in adopting from Russia are encouraged to watch the webinar hosted on the Russia adoption program page. Contact Tania Griasnow with any questions, and prepare to apply. This program has lots of potential for families ready to add to their family.
December 2009
The Russian Program continues to exhibit steady activity. Three families have been scheduled for court in December and one family is scheduled for their first trip. Referrals of children have been steady and cases are moving along nicely. The Russia Ministry of Education conducted a program audit in November and no concerns were identified so the accreditation is secure and adoptions continue.
We have been notified by our regional managers that as of November 2009 all five regions from which we have been receiving referrals will enforce the 10-day waiting period following court. Russia continues to be a solid option for families. If you are interested in this program, please contact Tania for more information.
November 2009
There has been a significant amount of activity in the Russia Program in the month of October. Two families brought their children home after successful court hearing and processing through the American Embassy. Both children, a boy and a girl, were under 24 months old at the time their adoptions were finalized. Two families were also able to complete their first trip in the month of October.
The Russian Program is one of the agency’s most longstanding and reliable programs and remains stable and viable. The Russian Program is one of the few where referrals of children under the age of two at time of referral are available. Time frames remain predictable, and families who are open to region, ethnicity, age and gender are able to process through in a timely manner. The Russia Program continues to schedule court dates and receive referrals from 5 different regions. The program is actively seeking families to apply.
September 2009
The weather may be cooling down in Russia with autumn approaching, but activity in the program certainly hasn’t cooled down! The Russian Program continues to be the busiest program with the most completed successful adoptions. To learn more about adoptions from Russia, please join us for CAS Russian Program Information Webinar Tuesday, Sept 29th at 8:00. Tania, the Russian Program Coordinator will be on hand to update and answer all your questions about adoptions from Russia.
August 2009
Historically, there has been a slowdown in adoption activity in Russia in the summer months as many court and other adoption officials take extended vacations. However, adoption activity has progressed through the entire summer and another family successfully completed their adoption of a little girl in July. They are now able to rest and enjoy the end of summer, bonding with their daughter. Four other families are waiting for assignment of court date and hope to complete their adoption process in August. Russia is a very busy program with more successful adoptions happening than any other adoption program. Contact Robyn or Taniato find out why this is the adoption program for you. We also invite you to join us in September for the webinar all about adopting from Russia.
July 2009
Russian Program continues to process at a steady pace. One family successfully completed their adoption in June. Another couple was scheduled for court in early July. This is an excellent time to adopt from Russia! We have been receiving referrals regularly. In the last several months most of the referrals that have been received have been from Ivanovo, St. Petersburg and Kirov. If you are interested in speaking with a family that has traveled recently about this wonderful program please contact Tania. Watch for our Adopting From Russia webinar in September. You will hear about the different regions, hear a family’s story and be able to ask questions about their experience, and learn what adopting from Russia can mean to you.
Make Blueberry Varenyki with your family!
June 2009
The Russian Program continues to process families at a steady rate. Two families traveled to Russia for their first trip in May, and both officially accepted their referrals. One family had a successful court hearing at the end of the month and is scheduled to return home 1st half of June. There has been increased activity in the St. Petersburg region. Children available in Russia are 10 months and older at time of referral. The Russia adoption program has the advantage of a large support system in the Russian adoption groups found across the U.S. If you are local to the Greensboro area join us in June for a special Adopting from Russia information meeting. If you live outside of the area we will have a Russia Adoption webinar soon. Contact Tania for more information about this program.
May 2009
The CAS Russia adoption program continues to steadily process families. Two families were able to successfully complete their adoptions and return home with their children in April. Another family completed their first trip to meet their child and is preparing for their second trip to finalize the adoption. Two more families are scheduled to take their first trips in May. Wish them luck. As you can see the Russia program is an excellent option for anyone looking for a stable program that is steadily moving.
If you are interested in adopting from Russia or would just like some more information, contact Tania Griasnow.
To view past Russia adoption program updates, please see our CAS Publications page and click on the Monthly Country Updates.