Programs

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Client Policies

Basic Information

"CAS was stable. Found only good comments about CAS. We talked to other families so we knew we were getting into a stable and responsible outfit." -M.A.P

Eligibility

Singles and couples are invited to apply and are served without regard to race, creed, sex, national origin or marital status. Couples generally should be married two years (waivers can be given on a case-by-case basis) and there may be other children in the home. Placing countries vary in requirements for persons adopting their orphans. 

In general, Carolina Adoption Services applicants should meet the following criteria:

Motivation

Potential clients must:

• Desire to parent a child, regardless of where that child was born and the circumstances of birth.
• Possess the need to provide a nurturing and loving home to a child who is less fortunate than most children in the U.S., and to provide the opportunity for a future based on security and the development individual potential.

Age

Applicants must be at least 25 years old. There is no set upper age limit. Each country sets its own parental age requirements for adopting babies, toddlers and older children.

Most countries allow persons between 25 and 45 years of age to adopt babies under 12 months. Some countries allow placement of babies with persons more than 45 years old.

Marital Status

Couples should generally be married two years at the time of application. Waivers can be given on a case-by-case basis. Prior marriages are acceptable.

Other Children

There may be other children in the home.

Infertility

If infertility is the reason for adoption, parents should have come to some resolution of their issues.

Finances

Families must have sufficient income to meet the expenses of adoption and to raise a child. Sound money management principles are more valued than total assets. Financial assistance is available to qualified adoptive families.

Exclusions

Carolina Adoption is unable to work with clients who have substantiated child abuse complaints filed against them or who are having continuing problems with drugs and/or alcohol.  Clients with histories of felony convictions or multiple criminal charges need to be considered on case-by-case bases during the application process.

Health Issues

Major illness in the past, or the existence of a chronic medical condition need not exclude a person, and are evaluated by the adoption committee on an individual basis.

When there has been a past history of emotional and/or addictive disorders, individuals need to demonstrate rehabilitation has occurred. Psychotherapy and marriage counseling are positively viewed.

Educational Preparation

Applicants must be willing to educate themselves about the risks and issues of international adoption. Attendance at support group meetings, seminars and programs, as well as pertinent readings is required. Applicants need to submit a completed educational participation record prior to receiving a referral.

Appreciation of Child's Cultural and Ethnic Heritage

Applicants must be willing and able to learn about their child's country of birth and share an enthusiasm in learning more about the richness of this heritage.

Child Referral

You are eligible for a referral when all required adoption documents have been submitted. Generally families need about 4-6 months to complete their homestudy, gather their dossier and obtain CIS approval.

The wait for a referral varies according to country and the type of child requested. In some cases, we have referrals of children who are waiting for families. We encourage you to have the medical information on the referral evaluated by a physician of your choice; we can provide you with the names of developmental pediatricians.

Should you decline a referral based upon a reasonable assessment, we will accept your decision and work to identify another referral.

Other Information

Costs

International fees vary by foreign country and the child/children you adopt. Carolina Adoption can provide information on fees associated with its services by e-mailing them at info@carolinaadoption.org.

Payment of fees is staggered throughout the adoption and paid at key stages of the process. Generally partial payments are made at the entrance into a specific program, the submission of the dossier and the acceptance of a referral.

All fees must be paid prior to travel.

Courier fees, travel expenses to the country, dossier authentication fees, as well as passport, visa and immigration fees are not included in Carolina Adoption fees for placement services or the international program.

International fees are kept in a separate account at Carolina Adoption. Generally, fees are considered earned when paid and are not refundable.

Financial Assistance Available

Grants, loans and tax credits are available for qualifying adoptive families. Click here for a list of resources for financial assistance.

Homestudy

Carolina Adoption Services works with contract social workers in North and South Carolina who can complete homestudies, otherwise known as preplacement assessments to approve a family for international adoption.

This process also provides educational preparation. Carolina Adoption homestudy families also participate in facilitated group meetings that cover adoption related issues. Applicants residing outside these states are encouraged to have homestudies completed by agencies offering educational preparation and support services. Homestudies are generally valid for 18 months before needing updating.

When initiating the homestudy process, families need not have selected a country or program.

Type of Child Desired

We request childless families be open to a referral of either sex, although a preference can be expressed. Families with children at may request a child of a particular sex, although this is limited by the policies of the placing country.

We prefer families who are flexible about the age of the child they hope to adopt, and who are able to accept a child who may need minor medical treatment or surgery.

Post-Placement

The family agrees to post placement visits for supervision and to re-finalize the adoption in their state of residence. Families also agree to send reports and photos to the placing country for stated lengths of time, depending upon country requirements.

Families are billed for social worker visits and other services received.

Sibling Groups

Two children, related or unrelated, may be adopted at the same time from some countries. Married couples seeking to adopt two children must evidence adequate educational preparation; childcare arrangements coupled with adequate resources and be approved by the Adoption Committee.

Families must have contact with other families who have adopted siblings, a "buddy" family in place, and resources identified for various needs that can be anticipated. Children should be at least a year apart in age.

Statement of Risks

There are many aspects of the international adoption process that are beyond the control of Carolina Adoption. Foreign governments may change requirements or procedures without notice; moratoriums may be declared to revise adoption laws, strikes and illnesses may occur. Birth mothers may change their minds, or the child may be adopted by an in-country family.

While we provide as much medical information as possible about the referral, we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information.

We do all we can to minimize the risk, but we cannot offer certainty and request you enter this process with an attitude of flexibility with the process and trust in the agency.

Support Services

Each family is assigned a program coordinator who is a country and adoption specialist. The program coordinator assists throughout dossier preparation, referral, travel plans, travel and post placement.

She/he is there for "hand holding" and dealing with the anxieties and uncertainties that arise. Carolina Adoption prides itself on having professional, experienced staff that is caring and compassionate. While in the foreign country, the family will be assisted each step of the way by an in-country English speaking liaison. Families are met at the airport, taken to their lodgings, the orphanage and escorted throughout the legal process to finalize an adoption.

According to the program, there may also be opportunity for sightseeing and shopping. Sightseeing is not included in the services of the facilitator and is arranged for separately.

Travel

After accepting your child referral, a travel section will be sent to you containing the information needed to plan your trip and make airline reservations if not provided by your program.

Staff will work intensively with you during this time of preparing for travel.
You will also have a travel meeting either in person or by phone, if you live at a distance.

Families may reserve, but cannot actually purchase travel tickets, until given a travel date by their program coordinator. Families are met at the airport by a bilingual liaison and escorted through the adoption process. Families are given staff home phone and emergency numbers.

Travel insurance is available at very reasonable prices to make sure you are covered during travel. Travel Protectors specializes in international travel insurance for inter-country adoption and Homeland Tours. Visit the link above for more information.

Make The Adoption Tax Credit Permanent

The adoption tax credit is currently scheduled to expire in 2010. To make it permanent, The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act has just been introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Last year a similar bill passed in the House, but stalled in the Senate.

Your support is critical at this time!

Contact your Senator and Congressional representative now, urging them to support "The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2005." This will make the adoption expense tax credit that allows many adopting families to take a credit of up to $10,000+ against their federal income taxes permanent.

Please write in support of this bill!

Click here for complete instructions on how to contact your Congressional representative. http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=2