OH - Adoption

Family Adoption Consultants
Ohio Information Packet

Table of Contents
2-3 Introductory Letters

4-8 International Program Information
9-12 Commonly Asked Questions Re: International Adoptions
13-14 Hepatitis B: No Guarantee
15-17 International Programs Chart
18-19 China & China Special Needs
20-21 Kazakhstan
22 Korea
23 Philippines
24 Domestic Adoption Opportunities in Ohio
25-28 Working With FAC & Another Resource or Agency
29-30 Hague Workshops Q&A
31-51 FAC Agency Policies
52-59 Hague Policies
60-61 33 Reasons to Choose FAC
62 Checklist For Adoption
63-64 Considerations In Choosing an Adoption Agency
65-66 Questions For Parents Considering Transracial Adoption
67-68 Ohio Area Support Groups
69-74 Help With Adoption Expenses
75-80 JCICS Standards of Practice
81-84 Reading List
85-90 Sample Adoption Service Agreement
91-93 Preliminary Application
Family Adoption
Consultants
Dear Prospective Adoptive Parents:
It’s our anniversary! It’s a special time for all of us at Family Adoption
Consultants and also an important time for you too. We know you are in the
midst of making a very important decision about your family, a decision about
how adoption can work best for you.
In our business, we think experience counts. Our TWENTY-EIGHT years as

Family Adoption Consultants proves it; we’re reliable – you can count on us for
the highest quality service and professional assistance in adoption planning.
Since 1982, FAC has placed over 4,500 children into adoptive families all over the
United States. The senior administrative staff of FAC all has over 36 years of
experience working with adoptive families like yours. We have participated in the
placements of thousands of children. That all adds up to experience plus. The
more quality work we do, the more we learn about our adoptive family’s needs
and how best to serve them.
That’s why our anniversary is important for you too. When you are looking for
someone you can count on…. someone with the experience and knowledge to
help you through the adoption maze…. you’ll know whom to call.
Whenever you’re ready, we’re looking forward to having you join our adoptive
family here at Family Adoption Consultants.
Sincerely,
Ms. Lorene Cook

Director
Updated 3/23/10
MAIN OFFICE EAST STATE OFFICE OHIO OFFICE

421 W. Crosstown Pkwy. 45100 Sterritt, Suite 204 Macedonia Professional Bldg.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Utica, MI 48317 8536 Crow Drive, Suite 220
Toll Free: 800-481-5830 Toll Free: 800-753-0129 Macedonia, OH 44056
Phone: (269) 343-3316 Phone: (586) 726-2988 Toll Free: 866-576-5201
Fax: (269) 343-3359 Fax: (586) 726-2599 Phone: (330) 468-0673
www.facadopt.org Fax: (330) 468-0678
Family Adoption
Consultants
Dear Prospective Adoptive Parent:
Thank you for your interest in FAC’s adoption programs. FAC is a child placement resource, licensed in Michigan and
Ohio, offering adoption opportunities for children. FAC is authorized by Council on Accreditation as a Hague Accredited
agency. Most international adoptions must be processed by a Hague Accredited agency. Although you may think it is
impossible, or that the red tape is overwhelming, thousands have successfully adopted children each year. You may
be among their number with a little planning and perseverance.
Adoption necessitates emotional, time and financial commitments. Families must be prepared for the uncertainties of
a system that by its very nature is complex and confusing. A skillful placement resource can help to minimize some of
the anxiety inherent in adoption. Since 1982, FAC has provided expert guidance and assistance to thousands of
families just like yours.
We encourage you to become as informed as possible. In this packet, we provide comprehensive information about
adoption in general and FAC’s various programs. We can provide you with the names of families who have
successfully adopted through our agency, and we encourage you to contact them. Additionally, it is helpful to get
involved in a parent support group in your community. Take the time to read as much as you can about adoption. A
reading list is enclosed to get you started.
We encourage families pursuing adoption to inquire about all types of children in need of adoptive families. In
addition to our own programs described in this packet, FAC provides various other adoption opportunities. If you are
interested in adopting a child from a country where we do not currently have a direct service program, we can refer
you to reliable agencies working in that country. If you plan to use a placement agency located in another state, FAC
can provide all the local services you will need. FAC can assist you with your adoption study, immigration processing,
court processing if required, and work together with the other agency to assist you in completing an adoption. FAC
has helped place children from more than 45 countries throughout the world. We can help you successfully navigate
the adoption process.
We hope you will choose one of FAC’s adoption programs or use FAC as your local adoption study agency. To get
started, complete and return the Preliminary Application. We encourage you to attend one of FAC’s orientation
meetings regularly presented in various locations. It will provide very valuable information which will help you
understand the process on which you are about to embark and also may help you decide which adoption program is
best for you. If you are ready to proceed, please submit a preliminary application. This can be done by mail or
directly on our website. Families interested in the Korea program, please check FAC’s website for updates on the
current status for accepting preliminary applications. All other applicants will receive a formal application immediately
after we accept the preliminary application.
Please call us if you have any questions. We are more than happy to talk with you and help you as you are making
decisions about adopting. Our goal is to answer your questions honestly and factually and respond to your concerns.
Visit our website at www.facadopt.org for additional information.
We at FAC look forward to assisting you as you work toward realizing your dream of adopting a child.
Sincerely,
The Staff of Family Adoption Consultants Updated 5-09
MAIN OFFICE EAST STATE OFFICE OHIO OFFICE

421 W. Crosstown Pkwy. 45100 Sterritt, Suite 204 Macedonia Professional Bldg.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Utica, MI 48317 8536 Crow Drive, Suite 220
Toll Free: 800-481-5830 Toll Free: 800-753-0129 Macedonia, OH 44056
Phone: (269) 343-3316 Phone: (586) 726-2988 Toll Free: 866-576-5201
Fax: (269) 343-3359 Fax: (586) 726-2599 Phone: (330) 468-0673
www.facadopt.org Fax: (330) 468-0678
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
Family Adoption Consultants has placement programs in several countries. This means
we have formal arrangements with adoption agencies/facilitators in each country to
place children with adoptive families in the United States. In most cases, this means
that FAC has completed a stringent accreditation process to be authorized as a Hague
accredited agency in the U.S. and has been approved by various foreign governments
to place children. Prospective adoptive parents can apply to FAC, and with our
representative in the other country, we provide the necessary services to complete an
adoption.
Details about FAC’s intercountry adoption programs are provided on the following
pages. The number of children available for adoption in a particular country varies over
time. Due to fluctuations in numbers and types of children available, projected
processing times, and/or the status of the adoption program, we occasionally make
changes in our policies regarding intake of new applicants. It is always advisable to
check with us for the most current information on a particular country program before
submitting an application.
FAC provides a full range of services to families adopting through our intercountry
programs. Services include, but are not limited to, adoptive home recruitment,
orientation, adoption counseling, education, training and preparation, adoption studies,
dossier preparation assistance, translations, court processing, USCIS (immigration)
processing, post-placement supervision and reports, post-finalization support, problem-
assessment and referral services. All services may not be needed in each case, but are
available whenever needed.
FAC staff is available to help you determine the country you wish to adopt through prior
to finishing your adoption study. In the event changes occur in the availability of
children in a particular program, FAC will make every effort to assist a family to adopt a
child through another program.
Should you choose to adopt a child using a placement agency located in another state,
FAC can provide the home study and follow up services you will need.
CHINA
FAC is approved by the Chinese government and has been placing Chinese children with
adoptive families since 1994. Dossiers for approved families are submitted to the China
Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA), a central governmental department, which oversees
all intercountry adoptions in China. The CCAA screens and approves applications from
prospective parents (dossiers), and matches children with adoptive families. Waiting
children reside in public childcare facilities throughout China. Some receive foster care.
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Families travel to China for approximately one to two weeks to complete the adoption
of their child. FAC retains the services of a professional representative to monitor our
cases as they progress through the CCAA, and parents are assisted with all aspects of
their trip to China to complete their adoption. FAC recommends that both parents travel
to China to complete the adoption, but it is possible, in some cases, for just one parent
to travel. Please confer with FAC before making the decision that only one parent will
travel.
Available children are six months or older at time of referral. Usually, children are
completely Chinese in heritage, with dark hair and eyes and brown/olive complexions.
Nearly all children are girls, but some boys are also in need of adoptive families,
particularly boys with medical needs. Infants with and without known medical needs,
toddlers and older children are all in need of adoptive families. Sibling groups are rarely
available. Twins are sometimes available. Applicants can specify type of child (age,
gender, health status) they wish to adopt, but assignments do not always exactly match
specific requests. Most children available for adoption have been abandoned with no
family history available. (China’s “one child policy” allows most families to raise only one
child.) China continues to accept applications from American families wishing to adopt
and FAC is happy to work with all eligible families wishing to adopt a Chinese child.
KAZAKHSTAN
FAC is approved by the government of Kazakhstan to assist families wishing to adopt
children from this central Asian republic. Kazakhstan lies in the north of the central
Asian republics and is bounded by Russia in the north, China in the east, Kyrgyzstan
and Uzbekistan in Sea and part of Turkmenistan in the west. It has almost 1,177 mi
(1,894 km) of coastline on the Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan is slightly more than twice the
size of Texas. The Kazakhstan territory is mostly steppe land with hilly plains and
plateaus. Kazakhstan represents a variety of ethnic groups including Kazakh, Russian,
Ukrainian, Uzbek and Tatar. Kazakhstan lies in the north of the central Asian republics
and is bounded by Russia in the north, China in the east, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
in Sea and part of Turkmenistan in the west. It has almost 1,177 mi (1,894 km) of
coastline on the Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan is slightly more than twice the size of Texas.
Kazakh, spoken by over 52% of the population, is the state language. Russian, spoken
almost by everyone, enjoys equal status under the Constitution and is a means of
interethnic communication in Kazakhstan. Newspapers, TV/Radio programs, school
instruction are done in 11 languages (Kazakh, Russian, Uzbek, German, Korean etc.)
Children available for adoption in Kazakhstan are between 7 months of age and up to
15 years old. Both boys and girls are available for adoption. More boys are available
than girls. Children are of Asian, Eurasian and Caucasian descent. The youngest referral
will range from 7 months to 2 years old. Kazakhstan permits full disclosure of
information about all medical histories of the children. Children are available from many
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regions and various orphanages. The orphanages generally have a good reputation for
excellent care, are clean and well staffed. The children receive timely and appropriate
health care and nutrition.
The United States is by far the most popular destination for adopted children from
Kazakhstan (in 2000-2007 American families adopted more than 5,000 Kazakh kids,
with highest number of US adoptions in 2004). In 2008, the Kazakhstan government
began registering adoption agencies and FAC was selected as one of The Hague
accredited agencies to work for Kazakhstan’s children.
KOREA
FAC has placed over 2,500 children from South Korea since 1985. The numbers of
children available for intercountry placement has steadily declined during the past
decade. FAC places South Korean children needing overseas adoptive placement
through our relationship with Korea Social Service (KSS), a government authorized
agency. Children usually enter KSS care via direct release from birth relatives or referral
via infant medical clinics. Currently, the majority of Korean children in need of adoptive
families are infants under one year of age (usually 9 to 12 at referral but some children
are between 12 and 24 months at placement). Toddlers are occasionally available.
Older children and sibling groups are rarely available. Twins are occasionally available.
Children of both genders are being placed. Families may specify the gender of their
child only if they already have a child or children of the opposite sex. There is usually a
longer wait for girls than boys. FAC occasionally delays accepting new applications in
order to insure that the wait for referral after completion of the home study is not
unduly long. Typically, children are entirely Korean in heritage, with dark hair and eyes
and brown/olive complexion. Family and medical background information is often
limited. Many infants are born prematurely and/or have low birth weight. Average birth
weight for Korean children is 5 pounds or 2.2 kilograms. A low birth weight child weighs
between 1.4 and 2.1 kilograms (3 to 5 pounds) at birth. Premature infants are 30-36
weeks gestational age. Some infants have minor, correctable or ongoing medical needs.
Applicants should be open to as many medical needs as possible. Families must be
open to prematurity, low birth weight and Hepatitis B status unknown children.
Severely premature or low birth weight infants are special needs children and are not
included in this category. FAC representatives escort Korean children to their adoptive
parents in the United States after the court in the parents’ home state has approved the
adoption, and US government has issued a visa to the child. There may be
opportunities for some parents to travel to bring their child home.
PHILIPPINES
In the Philippines, economic conditions and limited resources result in large numbers of
children separated from their birth families. The country is extremely large/diverse with
many rural areas and financial and medical assistance is limited. Most childcare
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facilities have minimal financial resources, few stimulating activities available, and must
focus on providing only the most basic needs.
FAC places Filipino children needing overseas adoptive placement through our working
relationship with the government’s Intercountry Adoption Board (ICAB), which operates
within the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). ICAB thoroughly
screens all intercountry adoption studies prior to any family’s final approval for
placement. Children are referred for adoption via public and private orphanages
throughout the Philippines. Detailed social histories are provided. At least one parent
must travel to the Philippines to bring their child home after a local court has approved
the adoption and all processing in the Philippines and the US has been completed. In-
country assistance is provided to all families during their 6-10 day stay.
Children are 18 months to 15 years at time of referral. They are typically entirely
Filipino in heritage, with dark hair and eyes and brown/olive complexions. Children
range from Asian to a mixture of Asian/Malaysian/Hispanic in appearance. Individual
children and some sibling groups of all ages are in need of adoptive families. A greater
number of preschool/school age children, the majority of whom are boys, are referred
for intercountry adoption. Medical care overall in the Philippines is difficult to obtain.
Many children have some delays, malnutrition or other medical needs as a result. The
need is greatest for families for school age children of either sex (particularly boys age
5 and older, and girls age 7 and older), or infants/toddlers/preschoolers with mild or
correctable medical conditions. School age children in the Philippines routinely learn
English; therefore, older children may have some English language skills.
Other Countries:
Children are available for adoption from many other countries. FAC networks with
other reliable agencies to place children from throughout the world. While the number
of children needing intercountry adoption has declined somewhat, FAC has recently
assisted in the placement of children from many countries, including (but not limited to)
Colombia, Ethiopia, Liberia, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. We have excellent
working relationships with agencies throughout the US. If you have already selected a
placement agency, we are happy to assist you by providing the services you need to
obtain in your state of residence (MI or OH). If you are interested in adopting a child
from a country where FAC does not have a placement program, please contact us and
we can refer you to agencies with programs that will meet your needs.
All Programs:
Children legally eligible for adoption have been abandoned or relinquished primarily due
to poverty, malnutrition, illness, medical needs, or being born out of wedlock.
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The children may suffer from a variety of illnesses, or come from unknown
backgrounds, and there is no guarantee as to how they will develop or behave. Little, if
anything, is usually known about the child’s birth family, prenatal care, medical,
developmental and social history, emotional adjustment, behavior or even exact birth
date. Children may suffer from one or more of the following: malnourishment, vitamin
and protein deficiency, diarrhea, intestinal parasites, skin diseases, upper respiratory
and ear infections, poor teeth, and positive tuberculosis tests.
Children, including infants, suffer from being shifted and separated, having to learn to
adjust to new people, new ways of being treated and a new language. Your child will
feel homesick, deserted, frightened, bewildered, depressed, angry, and wary of forming
close relationships. He or she may be passive, withdrawn and unresponsive, or attach
to only one person. He or she may be unable to let you out of sight without panic, test
you to be sure he/she won’t be sent back, demand attention, have temper tantrums,
disobey, be destructive, lie, steal, bed wet, refuse to eat or sleep or have terrifying
nightmares. A child who expresses none of these emotions may be more disturbed
than one who can deal with them openly. One of the most universally felt an
adjustment is learning a new language, which is taxing for the child and adds to other
frustrations and setbacks. Rules and regulations of the Hague Convention on
Intercountry Adoption and the USCIS require that adoptive parents participate in a
minimum of ten hours of adoption specific training prior to receiving a child for
adoption. FAC will provide education, training and support as you consider and proceed
with your plan to adopt a child. We believe that realistic and thorough preparation is
best for adoptive families and the children they adopt and we will be with you as you
prepare.
Updated 3/09
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COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION
What is an adoption study and why do we need one?
An adoption study (also know as a home study or pre-placement assessment) is a process that includes
investigation, education and preparation of prospective adoptive parents. Virtually all adoption requires
adopters to complete an adoption study. With few exceptions, the adoption study must be completed by
an agency licensed to place children. There will be a series of meetings with local agency
representatives designed to help prospective adoptive parents educate themselves about adoption
procedures and issues. The adoption specialist conducting the study is required by law and licensing
regulations to evaluate many aspects of a applicant’s lives including, but not limited to health, finances,
social, marital and employment history, discipline practices, and the home environment. Training
regarding cultural and adoption issues are a necessary part of the adoption study. Information from
interviews and from paperwork completed by the applicants is consolidated into a written report.
Contents of the report must follow guidelines set forth by the applicants’ state of residence, the foreign
country and the United States Immigration Service. A study from another agency may speed the
interview time, but a study from FAC is necessary.
Do you ever “turn down” adoptive parents, and if so, for what reason?
It is rare that FAC determines applicants to be unsuitable to become adoptive parents. However, there
are some factors that, when present in an individual or family, may result in a decision to deny some
applicants’ request. Of course, if an applicant does not meet the basic requirements set forth by the
agency or the foreign country, we will decline to accept the application. Applicants may be directed to
another adoption program for which they would be eligible. FAC’s decision not to accept applications or
to deny any applicant during the adoption study process is usually made on a case-by-case basis,
depending on the nature and severity of the identified problem. The reasons we may have concerns
about proceeding with an applicant are varied, but generally relate to health, financial, relationship or
child-rearing issues. We believe our job is to insure, to the best of our ability, that the families we
approve to adopt children are able to provide healthy, stable environments for as long as the child needs
to be cared for. We are looking for adoptive parents whose health is stable and who are expected to
remain healthy until their children are independent. We expect adoptive parents to have adequate
finances to manage the expenses of the adoption and sound money management practices to provide a
stable financial situation that meets the needs of all family members. We strive to place children with
parents who are of good moral character and whose marital, family and social relationships are stable,
loving and free of excessive conflict; that will utilize positive child-management techniques; and will
educate themselves regarding adoption issues so they can be effective parents to their adopted children.
In some cases, we identify problems based upon information provided in the application packet. If it is
determined that a problem is insurmountable and neither time, nor further treatment is likely to resolve
the problem, we decline the application and return the adoption study fee. However, some problem
areas are identified or properly assessed within the context of the adoption study process. In those
cases, fees may not be refundable. We realize that many of these issues are subjective and require
agency staff to make judgments about the suitability of individuals and families. Our staff has training
and experience in assessing and preparing families for the experience of adoptive parenting. We strive
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for objectivity and fairness, often utilizing other professionals as consultants in our decision-making. It is
our goal to help as many children as possible to find the right families within which to grow up.
What is a dossier and why is it necessary?
Most foreign countries that allow children to be adopted abroad require the applicants for adoption to
submit various documents that, when put together, are referred to as a “dossier”. The dossier consists
of documents that verify certain factors of the applicants’ life, i.e. birth and marriage certificates, divorce
decrees, statements regarding the applicant’s health, employment and criminal record. An adoption
study recommending the family for adoption of a child from that country is also required. All applicants
to FAC will be given appropriate materials and instructions concerning dossier preparation during the
adoption study process.
What is U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and what does it have to do with
adoption?
Adoptive families and the child they adopt must be “approved” by USCIS. Families wishing to adopt from
another country must petition U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for an entry visa for the child to
enter the United States. Adoption alone does not grant families the right to bring a child into the U.S. A
special provision in the law called the “Eligible Orphans Act” permits a child to immigrate to this country.
Eligible children, through this act, do not have to wait indefinitely for a visa. A visa can be granted
within a short time after completion of the adoption process, but it is important to note that not all
children available for adoption in foreign countries qualify as eligible orphans. Families adopting from
non-FAC programs must be sure the child they wish to adopt is eligible for a visa to enter the United
States before proceeding with adoption. Consult with FAC, an attorney who specializes in Immigration
matters or a representative of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services with questions concerning
eligibility and processing.
Do we have to travel to the foreign country?
It depends on the country you are adopting from. Adoption of Korean children is processed through
local courts in the adopter’s home state and, in most cases; the children are escorted to the U.S. Many
foreign governments require adoptive parents to come to the country to complete all or part of the legal
adoption process. Information on travel requirements, such as do both parents have to travel, length of
stay in the foreign country, etc. is included separately in this packet, and will be discussed during the
adoption study.
Can we choose the sex of our child?
Again, this depends on the country you are adopting through. FAC is flexible on this issue whenever we
can be. However, we feel strongly that children should not wait for a family in order to satisfy the
parent’s wishes for a child of a certain sex. When the assignment of a child comes from the foreign
country, we must comply with the country’s policies. In some countries, such as China, the children
available for adoption are predominantly of one sex. Further information regarding this issue is provided
with each program description in the attached packet.
How long is it going to take?
This is the most frequently asked question and is the one that is the most difficult to answer accurately
and precisely. We can only provide applicants with estimated time frames. It must be kept in mind that
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estimates can only be based upon past cases; we cannot fully predict or guarantee what will happen in
the future. We understand that adoption often necessitates a family putting their lives “on hold” until a
child arrives. We provide as much information as we have regarding expected wait times but much can,
and often does, happen to affect the length of time it takes to complete the adoption process. This
process involves many layers of official procedures and approvals, otherwise known as “red tape”.
Glitches and delays can and do occur at any level. It is impossible to predict every variable that impacts
waiting times. The number of children and the number of waiting families in the system, as well as the
political and social systems in the country, are just a sample of variables that cause waiting times to
fluctuate. Please request verbal update of waiting times from the FAC office. Patience and mutual trust
will be important ingredients in successfully completing an intercountry adoption.
How much is it going to cost?
Costs vary from program to program. Information on the fees and expenses involved in each program is
provided on separate pages of this packet. Intercountry adoption is often more costly than domestic
adoption because it involves travel for the child and often the parents as well. Another important aspect
of any intercountry adoption program is the fee and donations paid to the foreign agency or orphanage.
Many countries allow children to be adopted by parents from other countries because of substandard
economic conditions in their own land. An adoption program like FAC’s provides opportunities, not only
for the children who are adopted, but also for the children left behind. A portion of the fees paid by
adopting parents helps to provide support for children who continue to live in the orphanage and will not
be adopted. This money has been put to excellent use, resulting in improved conditions for the children
in the orphanages for which we are responsible. Fees and donations paid by adoptive families are a
significant incentive to continuing adoption programs in most countries.
FAC is a private, non-profit organization. We receive no governmental or other funding. The agency
depends solely on the fees paid by adopters and the contributions of those supportive of our efforts on
behalf of children.
Can you guarantee a healthy child?
Any child, regardless of his/her history or country of origin, may have unknown or undiagnosed medical
needs. Some medical situations are diagnosed only after a child has reached a certain age and stage of
development. Often little is known about a child’s birth family, genetic, social, and medical history, or
prenatal care. Although every effort is made to accurately report a child’s social information and health
condition, some situations may remain unknown or undiagnosed. FAC uses the term “no known medical
needs” to describe the majority of children needing adoptive families. As in any birth or adoption, there
is an element of risk and there can be NO GUARANTEE as to the health, intelligence, appearance,
development or behavior of the child. All available information is presented to prospective adoptive
parents so they can make an informed decision about adopting.
What are medical needs?
It is FAC’s priority to meet children’s needs for permanent families. The more flexible you are in
accepting medical conditions, the more you enhance your options of adopting quickly. “Medical needs”
incorporate a very wide range of mild/moderate/correctable conditions. Think about your relatives,
friends and neighbors, and the variety of needs their children have presented. The situation overseas is
no different from that of the U.S. population. Children are born with a range of conditions, the vast
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majority of which in no way interfere with a child’s overall growth and development. Medical needs can
be surgically correctable (heart defect, orthopedic needs, crossed eyes, birthmarks, cleft lip/palate), can
require some ongoing treatment (seizure disorder, juvenile diabetes, speech and developmental delays);
permanent physical needs that are not severe (missing fingers/toes, hearing loss, vision deficit), or a
combination of the above. Many of our infant placements from Korea are premature babies who, in
essence, had a “difficult start” at birth, but are doing well at the time of referral. Many preschool age
children from the Philippines are developmentally delayed as a result of their time in institutional care,
but respond beautifully in a family setting.
Risks/unknowns are an integral part of parenting and of adoption. In reality, known medical needs that
a child presents may prove far less challenging than many other factors you will encounter in adopting
and raising your child. All prospective adoptive families are asked to complete the Medical Needs
Checklist during the Adoption Study, indicating needs they can comfortably accept or consider. We
request your maximum flexibility in completing this list. The checklist is by no means inclusive of all
medical needs/conditions that children present, and we encourage you to list any additional needs that
you know are acceptable to you. Remember that any child, regardless of his/her history or country of
origin, may also have unknown/undiagnosed medical needs.
What about prematurity and low birth weight issues?
For all of our programs, premature and/or low birth weight infants who are developing well are referred
to families interested in adopting a child with no known medical needs. All families requesting infants
must be open to these conditions. A child who is not developing appropriately or one with known
medical needs will be referred to families open to considering special situations.
What about Hepatitis B? What is Status Unknown?
Most Korean infants are now immunized for Hepatitis B; testing for Hepatitis B is done in many other
countries. There are limitations to these tests as described in an article in this packet entitled “Hepatitis
B: No Guarantee”.
Are older children available?
Families interested in children over age 18 months are encouraged to consider adopting from China or
the Philippines. Many toddlers, pre-school and school age children need adoptive homes, and families
are encouraged to specify the age range they are comfortable with.
The information presented in this packet is meant to provide you with a brief overview of the important
elements of international adoption. This material should answer many of your questions and will
probably raise others. It is not inclusive and we know you will need additional clarification of these and
other issues as you go through the process. Please carefully read all of the material in the packet
including the articles regarding becoming a transracial family, choosing an agency, and unpredictable
factors in adoption. Additional information and clarification will be provided during the orientation and
study process.
Updated 9/08
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HEPATITIS B: NO GUARANTEE
Hepatitis B is the most prevalent chronic virus infection worldwide, affecting over 300 million people. The
disease is found globally, with the highest rates in Asia and Africa and lower rates in the Americas. Local
conditions, however, may lead to a higher rate of infection in a particular region or institution.
Most people with hepatitis B will never show any ill effects of the disease, but there is a significant proportion
that will go on to develop serious complications including cirrhosis, liver failure, cancer or death. Treatment is
available, but there is no cure for infected persons. Prevention by immunization is a major public health
initiative in many countries around the world.
Chronic hepatitis B infection is the most common serious infectious disease affecting children adopted
internationally. Approximately 5% of all such adoptees to the United States have an active infection at the
time of arrival. A somewhat higher percentage of children show evidence of immunity from past infection or
from immunization. Exposure to Hepatitis B is found in children of all ages and from all countries.
Since the blood tests for hepatitis B are simple to perform, relatively inexpensive and available in most areas
of the world, adoptive parents may, quite reasonably, ask that their prospective child be screened for this
infection. Many parents are dismayed to discover, however, that such pre-adoptive screening may not answer
their concerns.
1. Hepatitis B screening tests (usually hepatitis B surface antigen or HbsAg) done in the countries from
which most adopted children arrive are frequently unreliable. Often there is a lack of appropriate
reagents, clean equipment or adequate training in the laboratory. Even if the test is run under good
conditions, there may be difficulties with the actual blood sample itself. Common problems include
mislabeled specimens, blood contaminated by unclean collection tubes and cross-contamination in the
laboratory from other positive specimens. Occasionally, no blood or an inadequate amount of blood
may be drawn from the child to run the tests supposedly done. Unfortunately, there is no accurate way
to predict for any individual child whether or not the reported result is correct.
2. Reported results are frequently uninterruptable. Sometimes the wrong test has been done. The result
may be interpreted incorrectly, indicating that the child is immune when he is infected or vice versa.
The result may be translated or reported in such a way that it is unintelligible. Occasionally, reported
results are entirely fraudulent.
3. Drawing blood for the test may actually expose the child to hepatitis B or other blood-borne infections.
Re-use of needles is very common in other countries, especially when there are limited resources.
Sterilization of needles can be particularly difficult when hepatitis B is involved.
4. The test may be run too soon to indicate the child’s infection status. Since the incubation (the time
from exposure until disease) can be as long as 6 months for hepatitis B, it is possible that a child tests
negative when he actually has incubating infection. This is particularly a problem for infants less than 3
months of age with infection acquired from mother-to-baby near birth. Older children may have been
exposed through a medical procedure, transfusion or other blood contact.
5. Some children will accurately test negative before adoption, but will show positive results after arrival
in the adoptive home. As long as the child lives under orphanage, institutional or other non-optimal
conditions, he or she remains at risk for hepatitis B. So, until that child is at least 6 months from the
last possible exposure to hepatitis B, a parent cannot be absolutely assured that the child does not
have infection. Although most hepatitis B infections are detected at the arrival evaluation, there are a
few children in whom infection is not found until months after adoptive placement.
Page 1 of 1
6. Immunization against hepatitis B does not guarantee that the child is not infected. Some children will
have received hepatitis B vaccine prior to adoption. When given properly, hepatitis B vaccine is very
effective in preventing disease. However, the vaccine cannot eradicate infection that is already present.
Other problems with hepatitis B immunization are: giving the first injection too late after birth, using
the wrong dose or schedule, and using poor quality or damaged vaccine.
Thus, even immunized children must be tested after arrival in the adoptive home.
7. Testing for hepatitis B raises the cost of and may delay adoption. (Although the screening test may not
be expensive, there are many other hidden costs, including personnel time to get the child, drawing
blood, transporting the specimen, and collecting, then translating and relaying the results.) All of these
steps cost money and take time. If the result is uninterruptable or unexpected, more time is lost in
repeating the testing or counseling all the parties involved.
8. Test results may label some children as “unadoptable.” Although many families are willing to adopt
children with unknown hepatitis B status or other known chronic infection, adoption agencies and
authorities in other countries may feel that such children should not be placed for adoption. Some
children will incorrectly be labeled as infected based on inaccurate laboratory tests and others will be
denied the opportunity for adoption, even though hepatitis B is a manageable condition in the US.
9. There are no guarantees in adoption. Even though testing for chronic hepatitis B infection seems an
easily resolved issue, hepatitis B is not the only or even most common condition affecting
internationally adopted children. Focusing resources on screening for hepatitis B may decrease the
efforts put into more important assessments, such as the developmental and emotional health of the
prospective adopted child.
10. Pre-adoption education of prospective families is the most efficient way to deal with hepatitis B. When
parents thoroughly understand the issues, they can make an informed choice about whether to
proceed with an international adoption, whether or not the child has been screened. Hepatitis B must
always be viewed within the context of all the medical, social and emotional conditions affecting
adopted children.
Adoption agencies, orphanage authorities, physicians and parents must consider all of the above factors in
determining whether or not routine hepatitis B screening should be obtained in all children prior to adoption.
Although there will always be circumstances in which such screening is essential for a particular placement, in
many circumstances, parents may find themselves falsely reassured by an unreliable pre-adoption assessment.
Jerri Ann Jenista, MD Margaret K. Hostetter, MD

Adoption/Medical News Dana E. Johnson, MD
Ann Arbor, MI University of Minnesota International Adoption Clinic
734 668-0419 phone Minneapolis, MN
734 668-9492 fax
Laurie C. Miller, MD Dennis L. Murray, MD

New England Medical Center Michigan State University
International Adoption Clinic East Lansing, MI
Boston, MA
This statement is copyright free. We encourage agencies and social workers to reprint it in newsletters and
educational materials. Questions about the statement itself may be directed to Dr. Jenista at 551 Second
Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 ( 734-668-0419 or jajenista@mem.po.com).
Revised 3/10
Page 2 of 2
FAC AS PLACEMENT AGENCY INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
COUNTRY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS CHILDREN REFERRAL TIME TRAVEL

CHINA Couples married at least 2 years (5 years if either Infants 10-12 months, 36 months + after One trip for 10-14
spouse has been divorced); 30-50 years old toddlers, school-aged submission of days - 6-10 weeks
Stringent physical and mental health requirements children available; dossier after acceptance of
No recent history of arrests primarily girls, but referral.
At least one parent must have stable employment and some boys in need of
there must be at least $80,000 in net assets adoptive families
No more than 4 children already in the family
KOREA Couples married at least 3 years Infants 9 months + 6-12 months after Travel not required
25 – 43 years of age Some toddlers completion of
No more than 4 children already in the family home study
PHILIPPINES Couples married at least 3 years, 5 years if either spouse Toddlers, school-aged, 8-24 months after One trip for about 7
has been previously married, single women may be siblings acceptance of days for 1 or both
considered for children over 6 years of age; at least 27 dossier by ICAB parents, 6 months
years old and no more than 45 years difference between after acceptance of
parent and child referral
KAZAKHSTAN Both married couples and single women are eligible; Are between 7 months 3 – 5 months after One trip or more is
Previous divorces are accepted; no more than two age up to 15 years old. the dossier has required. Options
divorces per spouse. Prospective adoptive parent must been registered in are available for
be at least 16 years older than the child. Parents should Kazakhstan. escorts for the 2nd
not be older than 50 for infants. Older parents may trip.
consider children older than toddlers. Both parents must
be US citizens.
FAC PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
FAC maintains networking/partnership relationships with many agencies to provide varied opportunities for parents hoping to adopt children.
This chart provides information on some, but not all of the countries where you may be able to adopt. One of our partner agencies* could
be a good placement resource for you.
*Please read WORKING WITH ANOTHER AGENCY OR RESOURCE for information about FAC’s partner agencies.

BULGARIA Married couples and single Toddlers (18 months 12 + months 2 trips, approximately 7-10
women +) and school-aged days each; 1st trip
Maximum 50 years old immediately after referral,
Good mental and physical health 2nd trip 3-4 months later
No recent criminal record
COLOMBIA Married couples and singles Infants, toddlers, Up to 48 months One trip of 3-4 weeks
25-50 years old (one parent must school-aged; siblings (waiting children are shortly after referral. One
be under 38 to adopt an infant) available) parent may return home
Good mental and physical health, after adoption is finalized
no history of arrests
ETHIOPIA Married couples (at least 1 year) Infants, toddlers, Approximately 12 months One trip approximately 7
and single women; 25-50 years school-aged children; days, 2-4 months after
old siblings referral. Escorting may be
Good mental and physical health available.
MOLDOVA Married couples and single Toddlers (12 months Approximately 12 months 2 trips, approximately 7
women +) and school-aged days each; 3-4 weeks
Maximum 50 years old children between trips
NEPAL Married couples (at least 4 years) Toddlers (12 months Approximately 6-12 months One trip of 1-2 weeks,
31-50 years old +) and school-aged after submission of dossier approximately 2-8 months
Single women 35-50 years old after referral
Good health
No more than 2 children already
in the family
RUSSIA Married couples and single Toddlers (12 months 1 – 6 months if open to Two trips: 1st trip 5-7 days,
women Maximum 50 years old, +), school-aged gender or child over 24 shortly after referral; 2nd trip
but generally no more than 47 siblings months; longer wait for 10 or 25 days, depending
years difference between child female under 2 years on court date, 6-16 weeks
and adoptive mother after 1st trip.
TAIWAN Married couples (minimum 5 Infants (1 to 4 months Varies depending upon One trip for approximately
years) 25-49 years old, maximum at referral) gender of child. The wait for one week, about 6 months
of 3 children already in family, a boy can be only a few after acceptance of referral.
good physical and mental health, months, but may be a year or
no criminal history, college more for a girl.
education for at least one parent
The “placement” agency has sole responsibility for the development and maintenance of the program in the foreign country. They provide
information and services to you concerning the placement of the child, including, dossier/document requirements and preparation, child
referral, preparation for placement, travel, and post-placement requirements. FAC provides home study and post-placement services for
families and other local services required, including assistance with USCIS processing, interstate compact processing, post-placement visits
and reports and assistance with gaining new birth certificates and name changes. FAC is also available to provide help to review referral
information, and support while parents wait for the child’s referral and homecoming.
The information provided above is very basic. Many countries are establishing more restrictive eligibility requirements for
adoptive parents and there may be requirements that are not included in the charts. Contact FAC to learn detailed
information about the various country programs FAC and our partner agencies offer. You can also attend one of our
regularly scheduled Information Meetings to become acquainted with FAC staff and learn about all adoption opportunities
available through our agency.
5-09
CHINA
CHILDREN:
Age: 9 months to 8+ years at time of referral
Sex: Primarily girls (occasionally boys).
Health: Children without known medical conditions. May be small for their age and delayed
developmentally due to institutional care. No family background available.
ADOPTIVE PARENTS ELIGIBILITY:

Age: Both spouses must be between 30 – 50 years of age when dossier is submitted to China.
Applicants age 30-44 qualify to adopt a child 12+ months of age. Applicants age 45 – 49
qualify to adopt a child 24+ months of age.
Marriage: Married couples only. Two previous marriages allowed. First marriage – 3 years minimum.
Second/third marriages – 5 years minimum.
Education: Each applicant must have the minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Children: No more than four children under the age of 18 in the home. Youngest child at least one year old
at dossier submission. Parents must agree to child’s medical treatment, immunizations & blood
transfusions if needed.
Income: Employment income $10,000 each family member + adopted child & minimum of $80,000 in net
assets.
Criminal
Record: Applicants with criminal convictions are ineligible. Contact FAC to discuss your situation.
Health: Each applicant in good health with body mass index 40 or less. Infectious disease, chronic or long
term physical or mental conditions, history of mental health treatment or alcohol/drug abuse
should be discussed with FAC to determine eligibility.
Travel: Parents must travel to China for approximately 14 days to complete the adoption.
Fees: A more detailed breakdown will be included in the formal application packet.
FAC Fees Purpose Due

$4,000 Administrative Service Fee At completion of adoption study
$800 Dossier Preparation/Review At completion of adoption study
$3,000 Program Fee At referral
Country Program Fees Purpose Due
$1150 CCAA Processing Fee At completion of adoption study
$250 Dossier Facilitation At completion of adoption study
$2550 China Facilitation With acceptance of child referral
In-Country Expenses Purpose Due
35,000 RMB [ approx. $5150] Orphanage Contribution/Child Care Wire transfer prior to travel
$850 China Adoption Fees Wire transfer prior to travel
$65 Visa Medical Examination Hand carry to China
Travel & Accommodations Purpose Due
≈$1400 per person Airfare to China to complete adoption With travel reservations
$300-$400 In-country travel to child’s province Wire transfer prior to travel
≈$70 to $225 per night per room Accommodations-2 week stay in China Wire transfer prior to travel
Updated 3/2010
CHINA WAITING CHILD
CHILDREN:
Age: 9 months to 13 years at time of referral
Sex: Both boys and girls
Health: Children with known medical conditions of varying degrees of severity. No family background
available.

Age: Both spouses must be between 30 – 54 years of age when dossier is submitted to China.
Applicants age 30 - 44 qualify to adopt a child 12+ months of age. Applicants age 45 – 49
qualify to adopt a child 24+ months of age.
Marriage: Married couples only. Two previous marriages allowed. First marriage – 3 years minimum.
Second/third marriages – 5 years minimum.
Children: No more than four children under the age of 18 in the home. Exceptions may be made on a case-
by-case basis depending on the needs of the child being adopted. Parents must agree to child’s
medical treatment, immunizations & blood transfusions if needed.
Income: Employment income $10,000 each family member + adopted child & minimum of $80,000 in net
assets.
Criminal
Health: Each applicant in good health with body mass index 40 or less. Infectious disease, chronic or long
term physical or mental conditions, history of mental health treatment or alcohol/drug abuse
should be discussed with FAC to determine eligibility.
Travel: Parents must travel to China for approximately 14 days to complete the adoption.

$3,000 Program Fee At referral
$825 CCAA Processing Fee At completion of adoption study
$250 Dossier Facilitation At completion of adoption study
$2550 China Facilitation With acceptance of child referral
35,000 RMB [ approx. $5150] Orphanage Contribution/Child Care Wire transfer prior to travel
$850 China Adoption Fees Wire transfer prior to travel
$65 Visa Medical Examination Hand carry to China
≈$1400 per person Airfare to China to complete adoption With travel reservations
$300-$400 In-country travel to child’s province Wire transfer prior to travel
≈$70 to $225 per night per room Accommodations-2 week stay in China Wire transfer prior to travel
Updated 3/2010
KAZAKHSTAN
CHILDREN:
Age: 7 months to 15 years at time of referral
Sex: Children of both genders are available. Generally, boys are referred faster than girls.
Health: Full disclosure of medical information is made by the orphanage. Kazakhstan orphanages have a
reputation for excellent care and the children are generally in good health.
Misc. Info: Kazakhstan represents a variety of ethnic groups including Kazakh, Russian, Ukrainian, and Uzbek
& Tatar. Some children appear Asian. Parents may adopt one child or siblings. No adoptions of un
related children.
Age: Married couples and single women applicants 50 years of age or less. Older applicants may be
considered on a case by case basis for children older than 2. Parents must be at least 16 years
older than the child to be adopted.
Marriage: Couples married 3 or more years and single women are eligible. Previous divorces may be
accepted; no more than 2 divorces per spouse.
Children: No restrictions on the number of current children.
Income: Must have adequate income to support the family they have and the additional child.
Criminal
Record: Applicants with criminal record are ineligible.
Health: Applicants with chronic health issues and/or mental history/medication should be discussed with
FAC to determine eligibility.
Travel: Travel Options: (all time frames are approximate)

• One Trip and Escort: One trip 21+ business days & child escorted. Additional fee applies
for Escort service.
• Two trips: Trip one: 21+ business days. Trip two: 5-10 days.

$700 PAS Management Fee/Agreement With acceptance of referral
$3,000 Dossier Processing & Initial Service Fee Upon completion of Dossier
$5,000 Facilitation Fee Part 1 At Invitation to Travel
$8,500 Facilitation Fee Part 2 Arrival in Kazakhstan
$2,400 Child Processing/Orphanage/Documents Arrival in Kazakhstan
$500 US Embassy Medical/Child Visa At appointments
Updated 3/2010
$250 per person Travel Visa With application for visa
$Current rates per person per Round-trip airfare & in country travel With travel reservations
trip
$Current rates per child One way airfare & in country travel (if With travel reservations
needed)
$5,800 per family (max 30 Accommodations & services Trip 1 Arrival in Kazakhstan
days_
$75 per family/arrival Transfers Arrival in Kazakhstan
$10 if applicable Cell phone cards while in Kazakhstan Arrival in Kazakhstan
$95 - $195 per day Accommodations & Services Trip 2 Arrival in Kazakhstan
OR
$Current rates per escort** (if Round trip airfare & in country + visa With travel reservation for escort
applicable)
$2,000 per child (if applicable) Escort Fee With travel reservations for
escort
$195 per day/per family Accommodations over 30 days When need determined
(if applicable)
$35 per person per day Extra person requiring larger unit/travel Arrival in Kazakhstan
(if applicable)
All fees are best estimates and subject to change.
Fees for adoptive family travel best estimated at time of travel. Escort fees best determined at time of travel.
** Adoptive parents responsible for 3 days escort accommodations for Kaz originating escort to US
Families adopting a child aged 7 or older will have a $3,000.00 fee reduction.
Families adopting siblings will have a fee reduction for the 2nd child.
Updated 3/2010
KOREA
CHILDREN:
Age: Primarily infants 9 – 24 months at placement; some toddlers 24-36 months old.
Sex: Both boys and girls; families can specify sex of the child only if they already have a child/ren of
one sex only and are requesting the opposite sex.
Health: Children without known medical needs as well as children with varying minor/correctable medical
conditions. Many infants are premature or small for gestational age. There are also waiting
children with significant medical needs. All adopting parents must be open to children with issues
related to prematurity, low birth weight and Hepatitis B status unknown. Severely premature or
low birth weight infants are special needs children and are not included in this category.
Age: 25 – 42.5* years old. Final processing in Korea must be completed before either parent reaches
45. *At application. Adoption study must be completed before adoptive parents reach the age of
43 to insure placement can occur prior to a parent’s 45th birthday.
Marriage: No singles; couples must be married at least three years. Previous divorces are accepted; more
than one divorce per spouse evaluated case-by-case.
Children: No more than four other children in the home.
Income: Must have adequate income to support the family they have and the additional child.
Criminal
Health: Persons who are overweight or who have a history of mental/emotional illness may not be eligible
to adopt a Korean child; please consult with FAC regarding these concerns.
Travel: Children are escorted by FAC representative (to Detroit, Chicago, or Cleveland), or parents may
sometimes travel with a group to bring their child home. Adoption is processed and completed in
the U.S.

$4,000 FAC Program Fee With acceptance of referral
$300 FAC Travel Prep Fee With acceptance of child referral
$17,500 Child Care/Adoption Processing Expenses At acceptance of referral
$2,800 Airfare & Escort Accommodations At acceptance of referral
Updated 3/2010
PHILIPPINES
CHILDREN:
Age: Infants, toddlers, and many school age children & sibling groups. Youngest age at referral is
about 18 months old.
Sex: Both boys and girls; (more boys available).
Health: Children without known medical needs as well as children with varying minor/correctable medical
conditions.
Age: 27 – 55 years old. Under 45 for children under age 2 years. Some flexibility if father is over 45,
but mother must be younger than 45.
Marriage: Couples must be married three years for first marriage, five years if second marriage. Maximum
of one prior marriage for each spouse. Singles accepted for school age children (10+ years).
Children: Prefer no more than three children in the home; exceptions for school age children.
Income: No minimum income requirements. But you must be able to prove financial stability.
Religion: Must be practicing Christians or Catholic & have a reference letter from priest or pastor.
Criminal
Record: Must not have ever been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. Contact FAC to discuss
your situation.
Health: Each applicant in good health. Infectious disease, chronic or long term physical or mental
conditions, history of mental health treatment or alcohol/drug abuse should be discussed with
FAC to determine eligibility.
Travel: One or both parents make one trip to the Philippines to meet their child’s caretakers and escort
him/her home. Assistance in the Philippines is provided by an FAC liaison agency. Average trip is
6-10 days including travel time. Adoption is completed in the U.S.
$2,750 FAC Program Fee At completion of adoption study
$300 FAC Travel Prep Fee With acceptance of child referral
$700 ICAB Dossier Review fee At completion of adoption study
$5,050 Child Care/Adoption Processing Expenses With acceptance of child referral
$2,000 Donation to Residential Care Program With acceptance of child referral
≈$2,000 per person Airfare to the Philippines With travel reservations
≈$300 per person Travel within the Philippines Hand carry to the Philippines
≈$100 per night per room Accommodations-up to a 4 days in country Paid in the Philippines
Updated 3/2010
DOMESTIC ADOPTION OPPORTUNITIES IN OHIO
Family Adoption Consultants is a licensed, non-profit, international adoption

agency, placing children from other countries with Ohio adoptive families. FAC
does not have a domestic adoption program, and does not directly provide
domestic adoption homestudies or related services.
Before choosing to pursue an intercountry adoption, families should first

thoroughly explore domestic adoption opportunities in Ohio. We recommend
contacting the public child welfare agency in your county, as well as private
agencies in your area with domestic adoption programs.
A complete list of Ohio public and private agencies is contained in the

comprehensive Ohio Adoption Guide (JFS 01675), published by the Ohio
Department of Job and Family Services, as well as information regarding all
aspects of the adoption process including financial support/subsidies. FAC
provides a copy of this Guide to all families. The Guide can also be downloaded
on the internet by accessing the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
website, http://jfs.ohio.gov/ and clicking on “AdoptOhio.” Click “Publications” for
the Adoption Guide. You can also view a list of waiting children in the custody of
public and private agencies throughout Ohio, and can access an Adoption Fact
Sheet as well as detailed information about the characteristics of children in the
state available for adoption.
You can receive additional information and assistance by telephone regarding

domestic adoption opportunities in Ohio by calling 1-800-755-GROW (4769).
Working With FAC & Another Resource or Agency
After reviewing the material on our intercountry adoption programs, you may prefer a country other than the ones
in which FAC currently has programs. For that reason, you may want to consider working with FAC as a part of an
adoption process through another agency or adoption resource. If you know you want to adopt from a particular
country, but do not know of a placement resource, contact us. We have networking relationships with other
agencies that could be a good placement resource for you.
As a Hague accredited agency, FAC can complete the adoption study, and provide administrative coordination of an
adoptive placement, and any necessary post adoption services in an adoption facilitated by another
agency/resource. We regularly assist families with these services. Parents may choose to utilize another agency or
resource for many reasons:
¾ We want to adopt a child from a country where no U.S. based adoption agency is currently operating
an international program.
¾ We want to adopt from our native country or another specific country. We need to coordinate services
with an out of state agency and need a local, experienced agency to assist us.
¾ We have personal contacts in the U.S. and/or overseas to assist us in pursuing an intercountry
adoption.
¾ We have located an adoption resource to facilitate an intercountry adoption, but need an adoption
study and other services from a local licensed agency.
¾ We enjoy doing things ourselves, and are not intimidated by the extra time and energy required in
working with more than one agency/resource.
¾ We want to adopt a relative’s child who resides overseas and need a licensed local agency’s assistance
to facilitate the adoption.
Before making a decision to pursue an adoption through any agency or resource, we strongly encourage you to
carefully assess them in terms of completeness of information furnished to you, cost and payment factors, previous
success in facilitating adoptions, estimated time frames for child assignment and placement, Hague accreditation
status, and the procedures and documentation required in the particular country of interest to you. Ask for the
names of persons they have recently worked with that you may contact to receive direct information about their
adoption experience. Further, thoroughly read the materials we have provided, as well as those sent to you by the
other agency, to determine if overseas adoption with all of its risks, unknowns, and challenges, is a viable option
for your family.
Procedures to complete an overseas adoption are complex and time consuming. They vary significantly depending
upon the rules of the child's country of origin, those of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, and those of your
state of residence. In many cases, travel to the foreign country by both adopting parents or the single applicant, to
the child's country to legally complete the adoption will be required. Length of stay is determined by each country.
In some cases, you will travel overseas but the adoption will not be legally completed there; post placement and
legal completion of the adoption in your state of residence will be required. In these cases, requirements of the
child's birth country, your state of residence, U.S Citizenship & Immigration Services, and the local Court must be
met. Some adoptions, whether completed overseas or in the U.S., require post finalization reports after legal
completion, to be sent to the foreign country at regular intervals for several months to several years. Your
agency/resource should provide you with detailed information regarding the particular procedures that will apply to
your adoption.
If you work with FAC to adopt through an outside agency or resource, the following applies:
1. You submit a preliminary application to FAC indicating the agency/resource through which you wish to adopt.
Please attach a brief statement including the name, address and telephone number for the other
agency/resource.
2. FAC reviews the preliminary application and contacts you within 10 working days.
3. A complete formal application package with all required forms/materials for the adoption study is prepared for
you.
4. Please contact the agency/resource through which you plan to adopt; ask them to communicate with FAC and
share all available information regarding the process, requirements, adoption study format and any additional
forms FAC must complete.
5. You submit all formal application materials to FAC to initiate an adoption study.
6. The formal application is reviewed. FAC contacts you within 10 days.
7. If accepted, an FAC adoption specialist is assigned to conduct the home study interviews and to work with you
through the adoption process.
Nearly all intercountry adoptions require a dossier, which is a set of documents compiled by the family, then
notarized, authenticated, translated if necessary and forwarded to the foreign country for review and approval.
Your agency/resource is responsible for supplying you with a detailed list of required documents and procedures.
FAC can provide some technical assistance as you prepare the dossier. The completed adoption study from FAC will
be an integral part of the dossier. FAC coordinates with your placement agency to provide a written home study
report that meets all the foreign country requirements.
All intercountry adoptions require approval by U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. Information and instructions
about this process will be furnished to you, and reviewed during the adoption study interviews. The Immigration
process varies depending upon whether the adoption is completed abroad or in the United States. While your
placing agency provides general information about Immigration processing, FAC provides information specific to
your state of residence rules.
Fees: For a more detailed breakdown, please refer to the Fee Payment Schedule for this specific country.
$200 Preliminary Application With preliminary application
$250 Application Review With Formal application
$1500 ($1300 returning FAC family) Adoption Study Process With Formal application
$125.00/ person or $250/couple Adoption Training Classes (req. 10+ hrs.) With registration of the class
$300 – MI Families Adoption Study Update Upon request for update
$500 – OH families Adoption Study Update With ODJFS Update
$300 Adoption Study Review/Home Study Amendment Upon request for update
$500 Administrative Service Fee With formal application
$1,700 (if adoption is finalized in MI) Post Adoption Services/Court Costs (if needed) Prior to Placement
$2,500 (if adoption is finalized in OH) Post Adoption Services/Court Costs (if needed) Prior to Placement
$300 For each report (if adoption is Post Placement Services (if applicable) Prior to Placement
finalized in other country)
Third Party Expenses Purpose Due
$670/family + $80 per adult in USCIS I-600A filing fee + FBI fingerprints With formal application
home
≈$50 Certified Birth & Marriage Certificates To complete dossier
≈VARIES Other agency/resources fees Client responsible for these
fees
≈$420 USCIS N-600 Form After Finalization of Adoption
Family Adoption Consultants has worked with many families who have successfully adopted a child through the
cooperative efforts of FAC and another agency/resource. International adoption is constantly changing. The
number of children available for inter country adoption placement in countries often changes - at various times
increasing or decreasing, depending upon many factors occurring within a country. Some countries have ceased
placing children abroad altogether. Other countries have only recently initiated programs to place children. FAC
has formalized working relationships with the following out-of-state agencies in order to provide maximum adoption
opportunities for Michigan families. Please feel free to contact them for information on their programs. FAC s also
able to assist you in working with other agencies not listed below.
Page 2 of 4
Carolina Adoption Services Children’s Home Society & Family Service
Programs in: Armenia, Bulgaria, Haiti, Kenya, Mexico, Programs in: Vietnam, Thailand, Russia, Uzbekistan,
Moldova, Nepal, Peru, Russia, Ukraine Ukraine, Ethiopia, India, Peru, Colombia, Mexico,
301 N Elm St., Ste 500 Honduras, Ecuador
Greensboro NC 27401-2189 1605 Eustis St
PH: 336-275-9660 St Paul MN 55108-1219
FX: 336-273-9804 PH: 651-646-7771
Toll Free: 800-632-9312 Main FX: 651-646-8676
Email: info@carolinaadoption.org Adoption FX: 651-646-0436
www.carolinaadoption.org www.chsfs.org
Christian World Adoptions Dillon International

Programs in: Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Programs in: India, Vietnam
Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine 3227 E 31st St., Ste. 200
777 South Allen Rd 111 Ashley Ave Tulsa OK 74105
Flat Rock NC 28731 Charleston SC 29401 PH: 918-749-4600
PH: 828-693-7007 PH: 843-722-6343 FX: 918-749-7144
PH: 1-888-97ADOPT FX: 843-722-1616 Email: info@dillonadopt.com
FX: 828-693-8113 www.dillonadopt.com
Email: cwa@cwa.org www.orphancareintl.org
www.cwa.org
Gladney Center for Adoption Journey’s of the Heart

Programs in: Bulgaria, Colombia, Ethiopia, Mexico, Programs in: India, Taiwan, Republic of the Marshall
Nepal, Rwanda, Taiwan Islands
6300 John Ryan Dr Home Office:
Forth Worth TX 76132-4122 PO Box 39
PH: 817-922-6000 Hillsboro OR 97123
FX: 817-922-5955 PH: 503-681-3075
www.gladney.org FX: 503-640-5834
Email: info@journeysoftheheart.net
www.journeysoftheheart.net
Lifelink International Adoption Spence Chapin Services to Families and

Programs in: Haiti, Nepal, Hong Kong, Poland, Children
Ukraine, Vietnam Programs in: Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Colombia, Moldova,
331 S York Rd Russia, Taiwan
Bensenville IL 60106 410 E 92nd St
PH: 630-521-8844 New York NY 10128-6804
www.lifelinkadoptions.org PH: 212-369-0300
FX: 212-722-0675
www.spence-chapin.org
Page 3 of 4
World Association for Children and Parents
(WACAP)
Programs in: Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Russia,
Thailand, Vietnam
PO Box 88948
Seattle WA 98138
PH: 206-575-4550
FX: 206-575-4148
Email: wacap@wacap.org
www.wacap.org
If, after reviewing all the enclosed materials, you decide to work with FAC for the adoption study and other related
services, please complete and submit the preliminary application to initiate further processing. We look forward to
hearing from you soon.
Additional information and sources regarding international adoption:

Adoption Resource Center of Connecticut Joint Council on International Children’s Services
Report on Intercountry Adoption (JCICS)
78 Eastern Blvd. 117 South Saint Asaph Street
Glastonbury CT 06033 Alexandria VA 22314
PH: 860-657-2626 PH: 703-535-8045
Email: info@arcct.org FX: 703-535-8049
www.arcct.org www.jcics.org
Adoptive Families Magazine National Adoption Information Clearinghouse

Editorial & Advertising Offices (NAIC)
42 W 38th St., Ste. 901 Administration for Children and Families
New York, NY 10018 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.
PH: 646-366-0830 Washington, D.C. 20201
FX: 646-366-0842 www.acf.hhs.gov
Customer Service: 1-800-372-3300
Email: letters@adoptivefam.com
www.adoptivefamilies.com
Adoption Today Magazine

541 E Garden Dr. Unite N
Windsor CO 80550
PH: 1-888-924-6736
Email: Louis@adoptinfo.net
www.adoptinfo.net
www.facadopt.org
421 W. Crosstown Parkway 8536 Crow Drive Suite 220
Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Macedonia, OH 44056
(269) 343-3316 330-468-0673
Updated 3/2010
Page 4 of 4
FAC’s *Hague Adoptive Parent Workshops
Why is FAC requiring additional adoption training?
The Hague accreditation requires that families adopting internationally from Hague countries complete ten hours of
approved training covering specific topics, in addition to the adoption study process. As a Hague accredited agency,
FAC understands that adoption is a life long process that doesn’t stop with finalization and we want ALL of our
families to benefit from the gold standard set by The Hague. Aren’t all of our children worth the effort of one weekend
of training which will benefit them for a lifetime? Or do we just do that for children who by chance were born in a
Hague country? FAC is dedicated to preparing parents to deal with issues not just at arrival but for a lifetime. We
strive for excellence and have invested time and energy in developing workshops to prepare our parents to be the
best advocates for their children.
Who should take the workshops?
All families in FAC‘s programs are required to complete the training. Families doing an Independent adoption are
also eligible, and may be required to take the training if their placing agency doesn’t have a Hague approved training
program or if in an Adoption Specialist’s judgment, she or he thinks that a family will benefit from one or more
workshops. As adoption professionals, we are constantly getting updates and new information on adoption issues.
The learning curve on adoption doesn’t have an end point. Learning is a life time responsibility for parents who strive
to be the best parents for their children.
When do the 10 hours have to be completed?
The Hague rules require that a family complete the hours before their child comes home. This requirement will not
be difficult for most families since FAC will be offering workshops two or three times a year, depending on the
number of families needing training. To avoid any arrival delays, be sure to sign up soon after your adoption study,
in case the workshops fill up quickly. Ask your Adoption Specialist for help if you have any difficulties scheduling
your hours.
Why can’t I just do the ten hours online?
Some individuals balk at the idea of taking time off from work, or being inconvenienced with the time and expense of
attending workshops. As adoption professionals with years of educating people about adoption issues, we think that
learning is enhanced by directly interacting with others. These workshops will give you the opportunity to ask
questions, give input, meet other adoptive parents and adoption professionals in a non-judgmental space and to
share your journey with people who will understand what it means to deal with infertility, or have a child called names
because of his or her nationality or race, and who can give you some ideas about how bonding worked for their child.
Adoptive families often feel alone when buffeted by intrusive questions and stares. The weekend workshops will give
you an opportunity to begin to build a network of support as well as confidence in your abilities to meet your child’s
needs.
What if I’m already an adoptive parent, do I still need to complete the 10 hours?
For families who have NOT already completed the workshops, the answer is yes. Families, who have completed the
workshops, do not need to repeat them. Your Adoption Specialist will help you to determine how you can complete
the 10 hours needed for your current adoption.
What if I haven’t chosen an agency yet?
All participants will receive a Hague Certificate of Attendance with the appropriate credit hours for each workshop
attended so you can complete your training before the adoption study if you wish. We will keep track of hours
completed for all families who participate in our workshops. Many families like to complete the ten hours before the
adoption study so they are better prepared to answer the questions on race, culture, identity, attachment, discussing
birth parents, and other issues that are part of the adoption study process.
Where and when are these workshops held?
Workshops will be scheduled twice a year in Twinsburg, Ohio, in April/May and then again in September/October.
Families are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of training to meet state and Hague regulations. Pre-
registration for the training sessions is mandatory. Information about upcoming training workshops and the required
registration form can be downloaded off the FAC website [www.facadopt.org] or contact the FAC Ohio office for
details.
Who are the presenters?
Workshop presenters are FAC’s Adoption Specialists or professionals with an area of expertise, many of whom are
adoptive parents or adult adoptees. FAC’s Michigan and Ohio Adoption Specialists have developed and written
these workshops about the topics they felt would be the most beneficial for adoptive parents. Additional workshops
will be offered at a later date.
What is the cost?
Currently the cost is $250 per couple for the entire weekend training session (10 credit hours in total). For single
attendees, the fee is $125. The fees are subject to change.
How Do I Register?
Access information on current Ohio adoption training workshops at www.facadopt.org or call the FAC Ohio office at
(330) 468-0673. If you are in the adoption study process, your social worker will also be able to provide you with the
current training information. Pre-registration is mandatory. Complete the registration form and return it to the FAC
Ohio office with the appropriate fees. Make checks payable to Family Adoption Consultants.
*Family Adoption Consultants is very pleased to be one of the first agencies to be officially accredited by the Council on Accreditation
(COA) as an international adoption service provider and our accreditation runs to 2012. The Hague Convention on Protection of
Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption (Convention) is an international treaty that was signed by the U.S. in
1994. Its provisions ensure that inter-country adoptions are in the best interests of children, birth families and adoptive parents involved
in the process.
Updated 3/30/10
FAMILY ADOPTION CONSULTANTS: ADOPTION POLICY
Family Adoption Consultants/Ohio is a licensed non-profit adoption agency, facilitating the adoptive placement of
foreign-born children by Ohio adoptive families. Family Adoption Consultants/Ohio, hereafter referred to as FAC, is
not religiously affiliated, and complies with all applicable rules governing adoptive placements established by the
State of Ohio, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Hague Convention and the local Courts. The agency
also complies with adoption rules existent within the overseas nations with which it is affiliated. FAC maintains its
own intercountry adoption programs, and works directly with applicants to those programs in completing the
adoption study and all pre-placement and pre-finalization services. FAC also provides comprehensive local services
to Ohio adoptive families working through out-of-state intercountry adoption agencies.
The primary objective of the FAC intercountry adoption programs is to provide permanent, loving families for
homeless overseas children. Consistent with Chapter 5101:2-48-05 of the Ohio Administrative Code, the following
policy statements govern the Family Adoption Consultants/Ohio program:
FAC/Ohio has one central office at 8536 Crow Drive, Suite 220, Macedonia, Ohio 44056, (330) 468-0673. FAC
serves applicants for intercountry adoption who reside in any county within the State of Ohio. Services are uniformly
available to all applicants. A state hearing is available when any adoptive applicant/parent believes an adoptive
placement was delayed, denied, or will be denied, solely for the reasons of geographic location of the family. When
an approved adoptive family requests a review because the family believes an adoptive placement was denied or will
be denied solely on the basis of geographic location, the agency shall provide the family with notices and copies of all
materials related to requesting a state hearing. Families living out-of-state may be eligible to adopt through some
international programs, and also may apply to adopt waiting children with special needs; these applicants will work
through the FAC main office in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Inquiry process
FAC responds to adoption inquiries of any nature within 7 working days. Prospective adoptive parents who inquire
regarding intercountry adoption services through Family Adoption Consultants are instructed to first explore
resources within Ohio for domestic adoption, before making formal application to adopt a child from overseas.
Information and direct referral to local domestic adoption agencies, both public and private, are furnished to all
individuals who inquire to FAC, as well as information regarding the Ohio Adoption Photo Listing (OAPL) and web
page, the ODJFS Ohio Adoption Guide, and related website information. They are given a description of the
characteristics and approximate number of available children in Ohio, information regarding how to obtain an
application, fingerprint/criminal record check requirements, and, as appropriate to their needs, a copy of the FAC
information package and Agency Adoption Policy.
Subsidy information
Inquiring individuals are informed regarding current federal Title IV-E and state adoption assistance and subsidy
programs/procedures, in conjunction with information/referral regarding Ohio domestic adoption agencies and their
services. Though state adoption subsidy is often available for adoptive parents on behalf of locally available children
with special needs, this is not the case for most children placed for adoption from outside the U.S. Applicants are
advised to take this fact into consideration in making the decision to pursue an intercountry adoption. In all cases,
application for state adoption assistance/subsidy is made through the Public Children’s Services Agency in the
adoptive family’s county of residence. Application for all subsidy assistance except PASSS must be made prior to
legal finalization of the adoption. Where appropriate for special services subsidies or non-recurring adoption
expenses in international adoption cases, referral and assistance is provided by Family Adoption Consultants.
Adoption Policy: FAC/Ohio
Page 2
State and federal adoption assistance programs are briefly described below:
1. Maintenance state adoption subsidy or a Title IVE-E federal subsidy consists of monthly financial
assistance paid to the adoptive parent. There are financial guidelines and eligibility requirements for the
adoptive parents and adoptive child, including ADC relatedness which would exclude children who are
adopted from overseas.
2. Special Services Subsidy is financial assistance directly related to the child’s special needs at the time of
the subsidy agreement.
3. Post-Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS) can sometimes be accessed by the families of children
who have been internationally adopted. This subsidy is accessible following legal completion of the
adoption for services related to the special needs of the child that are not covered by the family‘s insurance
and/or expenses that the family is financially unable to manage.
4. A one time payment for Nonrecurring adoption expenses is also sometimes available to international
adoptive families based on the determination that the child meets the criteria for a special needs child as
defined by ODJFS.
The eligibility and application requirements are available for all above listed subsidies through the ODJFS website,
www.state.oh.us/odjfs/ and through all Ohio Public Children’s Services Agencies.
Foster care services
FAC does not license foster homes or provide foster care services to its children in agency care/custody in Ohio;
children placed by FAC immigrate from abroad directly to placement with their adoptive families. FAC therefore has
no direct foster caregiver adoptions. However, all applicants have the right to complete a joint foster care and
adoption study. Families requesting an adoption study for both foster care and adoption are referred to their local
public children’s services agency and private child-placing agencies, per FAC policy.
If local foster care is needed for a child in FAC custody after an initial adoptive placement, a foster home of another
licensed Ohio agency would be utilized for that purpose, by mutual agency agreement. FAC would then adhere to the
cooperating agency's policy regarding foster caregiver adoptions.
Special needs children
FAC defines a "special needs child" within its overseas programs in accordance with Rules 5101:2-1-01 of the Ohio
Administrative Code, and prioritizes services to applicants requesting to adopt a child for whom it has been
determined that one or more of the following conditions causes difficulty in making or sustaining an adoptive
placement: (1) Is in a sibling group which should be placed together; (2) Is six years of age or older; (3) Has
remained in the permanent custody of a public or private Ohio agency for more than one year; (4) Has a medical
condition, physical impairment, mental retardation or developmental disability; (5) Has an emotional disturbance or
behavior problem; (6) Has a social or medical history or the background of the child's biological family has a social or
medical history which may place the child at risk of acquiring a medical condition, a physical, mental or
developmental disability or an emotional disorder; or (7) Has experienced previous adoption disruption or multiple
placements. FAC does not define an overseas child whose racial/ethnic background is of the race or races
indigenous to the child's country of origin as a special needs child. More specific criteria for definition of special
needs in individual overseas programs may be determined by the overseas nation and/or agency, applicable to each
country's adoption services and the range of children there who await permanent families. Where applicable, this
information is furnished in writing to all inquiring individuals.
Page 3
Eligibility requirements
FAC’s basic eligibility requirements regarding applicants for adoption services are established by the State of Ohio,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, local Courts, and the country of the child's birth. Additionally, in cases
where an adoptive applicant has been treated for significant, life-threatening illness (i.e. some forms of cancer), has
received psychiatric care for significant mental health concerns, or has received drug/alcohol treatment, the agency
requires that the applicant has completed treatment for 5 years without recurrence before proceeding toward an
adoptive placement. Exceptions may be made after 3 years without recurrence, based upon supplemental reports from
physician(s) providing a positive prognosis and recommending the applicant for adoption. The agency reserves the
right to require independent evaluations in all cases of this nature. The agency also reserves the right to make
decisions based upon the best interests of the child, as well as in accordance with applicable policies of overseas
cooperating agencies.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must approve the child's entry into the U.S. for the
purpose of adoption. All international adoptive applicants and household members age 18 or older must complete a
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal record clearance as part of the Immigration approval process. Current
USCIS fees are $670 per application, and $80 fingerprint charge per adult member of the household. Pursuant to
provisions set forth in Section 2151.86 of the Ohio Administrative Code, and Rule 5101:2-48-10, all adoptive
applicants and household members age 18 and older must also complete an additional criminal records checks
through the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI). These clearances are completed electronically through a local fingerprint center, at a cost of $60-75 per adult
applicant/household member. Applicants with criminal records may be ineligible for adoption services, based upon
an evaluation of the criminal offense required by applicable rules of the Ohio Administrative Code.
Adoptive families may not be able to specify a gender preference for the child they intend to adopt, depending on the
number of waiting families and available children from a particular country.
Fees
FAC is a 501(c) 3 non-profit social service agency, and receives no state or federal funding for adoption services.
FAC adoption fees are based upon the direct cost to the agency for comprehensive adoption services provided.
Overseas fees incorporate fees for comprehensive services rendered by the cooperating agency or organization
abroad. Applicants are informed in writing with a Schedule of Fees, at the time of inquiry and again at agency
Information Meetings, of all fees and time frames for fee payment. Written notification of any change in fees is given
to all inquiring and/or active adoptive applicants. For families who adopt biological siblings simultaneously (i.e.:
twins or siblings), the normal homestudy, administrative service fee and post placement fee will be assessed: however
program fees for the foreign country will be assessed per child. Although FAC does not typically place unrelated
children simultaneously, administrative service and country fees would be assessed per child. Family Adoption
Consultants assumes no legal responsibility for changes in the availability of children, eligibility criteria for
applicants to intercountry programs, time frames for assignment or adoptive placement, or fee increases.
Open Adoptions
FAC complies with all applicable requirements of Ohio's Open Adoption Law. The agency supports open adoption,
with varying levels of mutually agreeable communication maintained between a child's birth parent(s) and/or birth
family member(s) and the adoptive parent(s). In intercountry adoption, opportunities for open adoption are relatively
rare due to social/cultural norms. Adoptive applicants interested in open adoption are referred to domestic agencies in
their area offering these services for local adoptions. Where birth parents or other birth family members overseas
Page 4
have requested communication with an adoptive family, arrangements are made via FAC and the overseas agency to
enable the requested contact, based upon mutual agreement.
Preservice training
Adoptive applicants accepted for service through FAC receive preservice family life education during both the pre-
placement and pre-finalization periods. Preservice training is provided in accordance with all components of OAC
Rule 5101: 2-48-09, and includes extensive written materials regarding all aspects of adoption, presentation of
additional materials by the FAC social worker and classes provided by FAC. The following topics are reviewed in
detail through interviews, assigned reading, exercises, DVDs, CD-rom materials, and contacts with adoption support
groups:
• The adoption process (agency policies and procedures; role of the agency; pre-service training, homestudy
process and adoption fees; matching and placement; post-placement services; adoption subsidies; legalization;
openness)
• Child development (normal child development; predictable stages of development; impact of early separation;
impact of abuse/neglect; identity and control issues in adolescence)
• Attachment and Separation (supporting a grieving child; developing empathy for the child’s past; promoting
attachment; dealing with the unattached child)
• Dealing with behavioral challenges (why behaviors occur; typical behaviors; creative parenting/discipline)
• Cultural issues (defining culture; understanding how one’s own culture impacts parenting; understanding how
one’s own culture impacts the adopted child; impact of cultural issues on adoption issues post-placement; use
of cultural knowledge to aid in attachment, development, and identity formation; impact of cross cultural
placements on all triad members/extended family; diversity; racism; overview of MEPA). A minimum of
three hours of preservice training specifically regarding cultural issues is required. An overview of the
Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) of 1994…and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A minimum of 3
hours of cultural training is required, and cannot be waived.
• Caring for children who have been sexually abused (dynamics of sexual abuse; impact on children;
therapeutic parenting methods)
• Adoption related issues (permanency issues for children, permanency issues for families, talking about
adoption; birth family and ongoing contact with significant others; adoption and extended family; adoption
issues at school; community resources; advocating for the family and child)
In addition, a minimum of ten hours of training must be completed prior to adoptive placement. The Hague
Convention requires that adoptive families receive training on issues of culture, attachment/bonding, specific
adjustment concerns impacting children who are adopted internationally, effects of institutionalization, issues
affecting all members of the adoption triad, and medical concerns. In addition, the Hague further requires training for
adoptive parents on general characteristics of children awaiting adoption, information on the adoption process, post-
placement requirements, and information known about the particular child the family intends to adopt. Verification
of completion of all training requirements must be submitted to FAC prior to adoptive placement.
Preservice training required by the State of Ohio addresses issues including the ongoing maintenance of the birth
culture/heritage of the child to be adopted and talking with the child about adoption at all developmental stages. It
further addresses the varied needs of children awaiting adoptive families, providing information regarding specific
special needs and referral to experienced adoptive families and related support services, as applicable. Applicants
may be required to make additional contacts with medical personnel, counselors/therapists, educators/translators, and
others with expertise regarding children's special needs prior to adoption study approval and/or agency consent to
legal finalization of an adoptive placement.
Page 5
Applicants initiating the intercountry adoption process are advised to affiliate, via ongoing membership and
participation in activities, with an adoption support group. A listing of groups statewide is furnished to applicants
upon initial inquiry. Applicants are also referred to workshops & educational programs in their area of residence,
including FAC’s training classes. Information regarding course availability is provided by FAC, directly or through
referral.
Application process
FAC has been certified to act as a representative of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to
place children for adoption. FAC provides assistance to applicants in completing application materials and securing
all required documents and information. Although FAC only provides homestudy services for clients who wish to
adopt a child internationally, this agency will inform all individuals applying for approval for adoptive placement that
they can contact another Ohio agency to also be studied for foster home certification if they wish to do so. Because
FAC is exempt from using the ODJFS 1673 for completion of the homestudy report for international adoptive
placement, a joint homestudy cannot be provided that would result in approval of adoptive and foster placement.
FAC shall utilize the JFS 01691 "Application for Child Placement" (rev. 12/2006) as the standard form when
accepting applications for adoptive placement. FAC will send the JFS 01691 to any individual requesting an
application for adoption within seven days of receipt of a request for an application.
An application submitted with a knowingly false statement shall not be used to initiate the homestudy. A person
seeking to adopt a minor who knowingly makes a false statement in an adoptive application submitted to FAC to
obtain services of this agency in arranging an adoption pursuant to 3107.11, 3107.012, or 5101.03 of the Revised
Code is guilty of the offense of falsification under section 2921.13 of the Revised Code. If FAC determines that an
application has been falsified, the agency will follow the procedures outlined in rule 5101:2-33-13 of the
Administrative Code.
FAC shall not begin the homestudy assessment process prior to the receipt of a fully completed JFS 01691 which
is signed by the adoptive applicant(s). FAC shall not accept an application for approval for adoptive placement
which does not contain complete and accurate information. FAC will begin the homestudy process upon
submission of the completed JFS 01691 in addition to the following information including at a minimum:
(1) Documentation of current marital status, which shall include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or other
verification of marital status, if applicable; (2) A JFS 01681 "Applicant Financial Statement" providing recent
information (3) The report of criminal records checks conducted in accordance with section 2151.86 of the
Revised Code. Except as provided in paragraph D of rule 5101:2-48-10 of the Administrative Code, an agency
shall not recommend a person to be approved as an adoptive parent if the person or any adult member of the
applicants household has been convicted of any crime listed in paragraph C of rule 5101:2-48-10 of the
Administrative Code and has not met the rehabilitation requirements set forth in that rule.
FAC will search the statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS) or the central registry of
abuse and neglect pursuant to rules 5101:2-34-38.1 and 5101:2-33-22 of the Administrative Code. If SACWIS is
not fully implemented, a search will be conducted for each adoptive applicant and each adult household member of
the applicant’s home prior to approval of the adoptive home. This search is to be used to determine the suitability
of the adoptive applicant as an adoptive parent. The search shall also be conducted within ten days of the addition
of any new adult member of the applicant’s household once the applicant’s homestudy has been approved. FAC
shall also request a check of the child abuse and neglect registry of any other state in which a prospective adoptive
applicant or other adult household member in the applicant’s home has resided in the five years immediately prior
to the date of the criminal records check.
A summary report of the results of the search shall be placed in the adoptive home record and shall include for
each adult household member, a chronological list of abuse and neglect determinations or allegations in which the
Page 6
person was involved where a PCSA has done one of the following: a.) determined that abuse or neglect occurred,
b.) initiated an investigation and the investigation is ongoing, or c.) initiated an investigation and the investigation
was unable to determine whether abuse or neglect occurred. This provision is limited to report dispositions the
PCSA determined to be unable to locate. The summary report will not contain information regarding reports of
abuse/neglect that did not occur or were unsubstantiated, the name of the individual(s) that made the report, the
name or other identifying information regarding a child, or any information that the release of which is prohibited
by state or federal law. If the search indicates there are no allegations or reports of abuse/neglect or only
unsubstantiated reports for any adult member of the household, the summary report shall indicate such.
If FAC determines that an adoptive homestudy cannot be initiated, the agency will send written notification to the
applicant stating the reason for not initiating the homestudy and a description of procedures for requesting a review
of the agency's decision. The notification shall be sent to the applicant no later than fifteen days after the
application was submitted. Applicants accepted for an adoption study receive notification which also includes a
tentative date for initiation of the adoption study process. This initiation date will fall within thirty (30) days of the
date that notification is provided.
An applicant shall have the opportunity to revise the JFS 01691 at any time regarding the characteristics or number
of children desired. If the agency, based upon receipt of a revised JFS 01691, determines that the applicant is now
seeking a special needs child, requirements and time frames for the application and homestudy process shall begin
with the date that the revised JFS 01691 is received by the agency. The PCSA, PCPA or PNA shall not continue
with the homestudy process if all required documentation is not submitted within one year of the receipt of the
initial or revised JFS 01691 unless the agency makes a determination that the homestudy should not be terminated.
The applicant shall be notified, in writing, no less than thirty days prior to the termination of the application.
Written notification shall contain an explanation of the reason for termination and a description of the procedures
for requesting a review of the agency's decision.
Homestudy Process
The homestudy shall be a joint decision making assessment and process involving the applicant and FAC which is
designed to determine whether adoption is a viable option for the applicant and the characteristics of children the
applicant(s) can best parent. An assessor's assessment of the adoptive parent(s) shall include a minimum of one
face to face home visit with each member of the household who is currently residing in the home.
The adoption assessment shall be commenced within thirty days of the date the agency receives the JFS
01691 "Application for Child Placement". The assessment shall be completed within one hundred eighty days of
the date that FAC received the application. If FAC cannot commence a homestudy within thirty days of receiving
the application or fails to complete a homestudy within one hundred eighty days, the agency shall document in the
applicant's record the reason(s) the agency was unable to meet one or both of these requirements. Commencement
of a homestudy means, at a minimum, scheduling an appointment to interview the applicant or assuring that the
applicant has been informed of the necessary materials required for the assessor to complete the homestudy.
Homestudies completed by FAC will be conducted by an adoption assessor who meets the requirements contained
in rule 5101:2-1-01 of the Administrative Code and is employed by or under contract with Family Adoption
Consultants.
Family Adoption Consultants shall provide a letter containing relevant information about the adoptive applicant(s)
to the PCSA in the county in which the adoptive applicant resides, within 10 days of the initiation of the
homestudy. This letter will include the applicants name, address, telephone number, and names and dates of birth
of all household members. The letter will also include a request for relevant information including, at a minimum:
(1) Past or present functioning of the prospective adoptive parent; (2) Rule violations involving foster and pre-
adoptive child, (3) Third party investigations; (4) Information relating to previous adoption applications and/or
Page 7
placements, or (5) Information on the events leading to a removal of any child from the prospective adoptive
family home. (6) Confirmation of household members as determined by a review of agency records.
FAC respects the right of all applicant(s) to select an agency for the purpose of completing the homestudy
assessment. Once the homestudy has been initiated, FAC will maintain involvement with the applicant(s) through
to completion of the homestudy assessment, unless the applicant requests a transfer or fails to follow through with
timely submission of homestudy documents. FAC shall cooperate with an applicant(s) who has requested a transfer
to another agency pursuant to rule 5101:2-48-19 of the Administrative Code.
As an intercountry adoption agency, all of the adoptive placements conducted through FAC are
interracial/intercultural. FAC will not consider race, color, or national origin of a family for whom that agency is
conducting a homestudy in determining whether a homestudy is approved or disapproved. FAC will not consider
the race, color or national origin of the child in whom a family has indicated an interest in adopting in determining
whether to approve or disapprove the family's homestudy. FAC will not discriminate in approving or disapproving
a homestudy on the basis of disability in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794
and of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. 1201.
FAC will not complete a homestudy when it is determined by the assessor that the application or homestudy
contains a false statement knowingly made by the applicant(s) that is included in the application or written report
of the homestudy. When FAC determines an application or homestudy has been falsified, the agency will follow
the procedures outlined in rule 5101:2-33-13 of the Administrative Code. FAC will not release a homestudy to
any other agency or to the probate court when it has been determined that the application or homestudy contains a
false statement knowingly made by the applicant(s) that is included in the written report of the homestudy.
The following documents shall be completed and attached to the homestudy document in addition to all others
requested by FAC:
• The homestudy document- signed by the adoptive/foster parent(s), assessor and assessor's supervisor.
• The JFS 1530, if applicable. This form shall be completed for any person seeking to adopt a child when a family has a total of 5 or more
children residing in the home, or if they will have 5 or more children upon adoptive placement.
• The JFS 01653 "Medical Statement for Foster Care/Adoptive Applicant and All Household Members" (rev. 02/2003) signed by a licensed
physician, physician’s assistant, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse practitioner or certified nurse-midwife.
• Four personal reference statements (three from non-relatives) for each applicant to determine the applicant's suitability to parent a child.
• A fire inspection by a state certified fire safety inspector or the state fire marshal's office using the JFS 1200.
• The JFS 01348 "Safety Audit of a Foster Home, also used for adoptive homes" (01/2003).
• The JFS 01681 "Applicant Financial Statement." (rev. 10/2000).
• The Bureau of Identification and Investigation (BCII) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reports as outlined in rule 5101:2-48-10 of
the Administrative Code.
• A completed water test by an approved Ohio water testing laboratory, if deemed necessary by the agency.
• A search of the statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS) or the central registry of abuse/neglect, for each applicant
and adult household member (and any new household member)
• Documentation that the applicants and adult household members have been Ohio residents for the 5 years immediately preceding the date on
which a criminal record check is requested. Documentation may include tax, school attendance, or bank records, and/or rent/mortgage
payment receipts.
• A check of the child abuse/neglect registry of any other state where an applicant or adult member of household has lived in the 5 years
immediately prior to application.
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Upon completion of the homestudy, FAC will document the results of the homestudy on the JFS 01609 "Family
Permanency Planning Data Summary." The assessor shall arrive at one or more of the following recommendations
at the completion of the homestudy: 1. Approve the applicant(s) as adoptive parent(s), 2. Deny the adoption
application. The assessor shall provide written notification to the applicant(s) of approval or denial of the adoption
homestudy. The written notification shall be provided within ten days after the homestudy has been approved or
disapproved. Notification of approval will be in writing, and will contain a description of the type of
child/children for which the applicant is approved, the date of the current approval, and the date that the approved
homestudy will expire. Written notification of denial will contain a detailed explanation of the reason for denial
which sets forth all the reasons upon which the denial was based, and a description of the procedures for an agency
review pursuant to Rule 5101:2-48-24 of the Ohio Administrative Code.
The expiration date of the initial homestudy is six years from the date of the initial approval of the applicant(s) as
adoptive parent(s). The homestudy shall not be valid after a six year period.
Homestudy Update/Amendment procedures
All homestudies approved on or after 12/11/06, shall be updated every 2 years from the date of approval of the initial
homestudy. Homestudies approved prior to 12/11/06 shall be updated at every two years. The date of approval of
the most current update will become the new date to determine when the next 2 year update is due. When a
homestudy that was approved prior to 12/11/06 expires, any new homestudy completed shall be updated every 2
years from the date of approval. Because FAC’s homestudies are used solely for international adoptions, the update
is not required to be completed on the JFS 1385.
For all applicants who have completed approved adoption studies through FAC who have not received an
intercountry adoptive placement within a two year period from approval of the initial homestudy, and who desire to
continue to request an intercountry adoptive placement, FAC will complete an adoption study update. Returning
FAC adoptive families, who have an agency placement and whose original adoption study was approved within the
previous two years, may request a subsequent adoptive placement within the current parameters of eligibility and
availability established within the overseas country through which they wish to adopt. An updated study will then be
completed by FAC, pursuant to all applicable rules of the Ohio Administrative Code. Not less than ninety or more
than one hundred twenty days prior to the expiration of an adoption homestudy or two year update, FAC will notify
the adoptive applicant of the date of expiration of the homestudy. The notification shall identify any information or
documentation that the adoptive parent(s) is required to submit for the homestudy update or procedure for a new
homestudy according to rule 5101:2-48-12 of the Administrative Code. The notification shall be on the JFS
01331 "Notice of Expiration and Reapplication for a Foster Home Certification or Adoption Homestudy
Update/Amendment." (rev. 12/2006).
Adoptive families who apply to the agency more than two years after approval of a previous adoption study will
undergo a new adoption study with all required ODJFS forms and related documentation. In most cases, international
adoption programs require new forms and documentation for second and subsequent adoptions.
Updates to adoption homestudies shall be completed by an assessor employed or under contract with FAC who
meets the definition of who can be an assessor contained in rule 5101:2-1-01 of the Administrative Code.
FAC shall not consider race, color, or national origin of a family for whom that agency is conducting an update to
a homestudy in determining whether a homestudy is approved or disapproved. FAC shall not consider the race,
color or national origin of the child in whom a family has indicated an interest in adopting in determining whether
to approve or disapprove the update to the adoptive family's homestudy. FAC shall not discriminate in approving
or disapproving an update to a homestudy on the basis of disability in violation of Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973,29 U.S.C. 794 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C.
1201.
Page 9
If the prospective adoptive parent(s) fails to apply for renewal of the adoption homestudy on the JFS 01331 within
thirty days of the date on the notification letter, the homestudy will lapse upon the expiration date, the prospective
adoptive family record shall be closed and the applicant(s) must reapply through the initial homestudy application
process pursuant to rule 5101:2-48-09 of the Administrative Code.
FAC shall attach the following documentation to the homestudy update:
• A New JFS 01653 "Medical Statement for Foster Care/Adoptive Applicant and All Household Members" (
• A minimum of one written reference from a professional who is knowledgeable of the prospective adoptive parent(s) family
dynamics, or if a reference is not available from a professional, one personal reference from someone who is aware of the
prospective adoptive parent(s) family's functioning. The personal reference shall not be completed by a relative.
• A report of a physical, psychiatric or psychological examination or treatment of the caregiver or prospective adoptive parent(s)
or other household member(s), if required by FAC to ensure the safety, health or care of an adoptive child. The examination
shall be conducted by a licensed physician, psychologist, or other certified or licensed professional.
• A fire inspection by a state certified fire safety inspector or the state fire marshal's office using the JFS 1200 “Fire Inspection
Report for Residential Facilities Certified by ODJFS” (rev. 10/2000), if the agency deems it necessary to ensure that the home
is free from conditions that may be hazardous to the safety of an adoptive child.
• The JFS 01348 "Safety Audit of a Family Foster Home," (rev. 01/2003), also used for adoptive homes; if there is a reason for
concern relative to the home 's continued safety.
• The JFS 01681 "Applicant Financial Statement." (rev. 10/2000), if there has been any substantial change to the prospective
adoptive parent(s) financial situation.
• A completed water test by an approved Ohio water testing laboratory, if deemed necessary by the agency.
Once a homestudy is approved, a new criminal records check pursuant to rule 5101:2-48-10 of the Administrative
Code for the adoptive parents(s) and each adult member of the household shall be conducted: (1) the 4th year of the
homestudy at the time of update, (2) when the homestudy has expired due to the six year timeframe and the
adoptve parent requests a new homestudy be completed.
An assessor's reassessment of the adoptive parent(s) shall include a minimum of one face to face home visit with
each member of the household who is currently residing in the home. The interview with other household
member(s) may or may not be a joint visit.
The assessor shall provide written notification to the applicant(s) of approval or denial of the update to the
adoption homestudy. The written notification shall be provided to the adoptive family within ten days of
completion of the homestudy update. If the decision of the assessor is to recommend the approval of an adoptive
parent(s) homestudy update, the written notification shall include, but not be limited to, the date of the approval of
the update to the adoptive homestudy and the date the approved update will expire. If the decision of the assessor
is to deny the applicant(s) for adoption or updated adoptive homestudy, the written notification shall contain both
of the following: (1) A detailed explanation that sets forth the reasons upon which the denial is based.
(2) Procedures the applicant(s) shall follow for an agency review pursuant to rule 5101:2-48-24 of the
Administrative Code.
When the prospective adoptive parent(s) notifies FAC that any of the following circumstances will or has
occurred, the agency shall amend the adoptive homestudy. An amendment is a narrative of the assessor’s
evaluation of the family and shall be completed and attached to the homestudy within thirty days of the agency
becoming aware that a change has occurred. An adoptive parent shall notify the recommending agency within 24
hours or the next working day if any of the following occur:
(1) A change in the marital status of an approved adoptive parent(s).
Page 10
(2) A change in the health status of an approved adoptive applicant(s) or household member(s).
(3) The finalization of an adoptive child.
(4) A change in the number of child household members through birth, or kinship or foster care who have not reached the age of
majority. New child household members residing with the adoptive parent shall have a JFS 1653 completed within sixty days of the date
they became a household member. Household members who turn 18 years of age shall have a BCII background check and FBI check, as
outlined in rule 5101:2-48-10 of the Administrative Code, initiated within 10 working days of the date they turned 18.
(5) The death of an adoptive parent or any other household member(s).
(6) A criminal charge or conviction of an approved adoptive parent(s) or other adult household member(s).
(7) A change in the number of adults who reside with the adoptive parent (not including existing household member(s) who reaches
the age of majority). New adult household members must have JFS 01653, BCII background check and if applicable, FBI check.
(8) The physical relocation of the adoptive parent(s) which results in a change of address that is different than the address listed on the
most recent homestudy or homestudy update. A safety audit must be completed at the time of the amendment.
(9) A significant change in financial status/income.
An adoptive parent shall notify FAC within 24 hours of any of the following circumstances involving an adoptive
child whose adoption has not been finalized: (1) a serious injury or illness involving medical treatment of the
adoptive child, (2) the death of the adoptive child, (3) unauthorized absence of the adoptive child from the home,
(4) removal of the adoptive child from the home by any person or agency other than the placing agency, or
attempts at such removal, (5) any involvement of the adoptive child with law enforcement authorities.
Applicants considering a subsequent FAC adoptive placement, after an initial adoptive placement has been made,
must legally finalize the first adoption prior to submitting a new application for services with FAC. Families must
legally finalize an adoptive placement through another agency prior to applying to adopt through FAC.
Adoption administrative falsification procedures:
The following is the procedure for reporting when an applicant knowingly makes a false statement in the
application or homestudy process. The applicant will be notified and have a right to an agency review according
to rule 5101:2-13-33 of the Administrative Code.
• An adoption assessor must report in writing a person who knowingly makes a false statement on an
application or homestudy document during the homestudy process to the agency administrator or designee
within 3 days of the assessor’s determination of possible falsification – statement must include
documentation verifying the information originally reported is knowingly false
• Within 14 days of the determination of falsification, the agency must send a notification letter to the
applicant, indicating that the information submitted to the agency had been determined to be knowingly
false – The letter must include:
o Date letter is prepared
o Mailing address of applicant
o Statement the homestudy process will discontinue
o Copy of and documentation re: the info that is alleged knowingly false
o Statement indicating that it will be referred to the county prosecutor if the investigation determines that falsification
occurred
o Applicant’s right to an agency review / procedures for such
o Failure to respond within 14 days will result in the application being withdrawn
o Must be sent via certified mail
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• If applicant responds within 14 days of the date of receipt of the written notice alleging falsification, FAC
will review the provided information within 21 days of receipt of the applicant’s response. An internal
investigation must include:
o Face to face visit with the applicant and all relevant witnesses
o Issuance of final investigatory report to the applicant(s) within 10 days of the meeting – must include allegations,
relevant background information, results of investigation, recommendation of whether or not probable cause exists
o If additional time is needed to make a determination, the applicant must be notified, and an extension of no more than
14 days can be given
• FAC will provide written notification within 30 days, to the adoptive applicant of any action to be taken
• Upon completion of the final investigation report and FAC determines there has been no falsification made
by the applicant(s), the agency shall resume the homestudy process if the applicants(s) chooses to proceed.
The homestudy shall be completed within one hundred eighty days from re-commencement.
• FAC will include in the adoptive family case record, all documentation which supports the agency’s action
in determining the results and recommendation of the internal investigation
• Upon an internal investigation, the agency shall refer all cases to the county prosecutor in which there is
probable cause to believe that falsification of an adoptive application or homestudy has been committed
under section 2921.13 of the Revised Code.
When an adoptive child is placed in an approved adoptive parent(s) home and the adoptive parent(s) or other
household members(s) knowingly made a false statement that results in the assessor’s reassessment of an approved
or updated homestudy, an internal investigation will take place to determine if the prospective adoptive parents or
other member of household is guilty of the offense of falsification under section 2921.13 of the Ohio Revised
Code. The assessor shall report incidents of falsification and an internal investigation will be conducted according
to the procedures outlined above.
• Agency administrator or designee must determine in 24 hours of completing the agency’s internal
investigation, if there is probable cause related to the adoptive child’s safety and well being to remove the
child from the adoptive parent(s) home until the result of an investigation is rendered.
• Upon an internal investigation, the agency shall refer all cases to the county prosecutor in which there is
probable cause to believe that falsification of an adoptive application or homestudy has been committed
under section 2921.13 of the Revised Code.
Matching of prospective parents and waiting children
Intake status at FAC is determined by legal availability of children, with or without special needs, in the overseas
countries with which FAC works. Waiting periods for assignment and adoptive placement will vary by both the level
of special needs acceptable to the family and the child's country of origin. Estimates of waiting periods are furnished
at the point of inquiry to FAC, again at agency information meetings, and again during the adoption study process.
Because FAC is an international adoption agency, matching a child with his or her prospective adoptive parents is
completed in the country of adoption by those government officials responsible for international adoptions. No one
factor is the sole determinant in matching adoptive applicants and available children. The child's needs and best
interests are paramount in this process. The family's request regarding country, age, sex and medical needs, listed in
the approved adoption study and confirmed in writing by the adoptive family, is used as a guideline for assignment of
a waiting overseas child. The overseas agency and government must approve all proposed intercountry adoptive
placements, and will typically match waiting children with the first family to complete all required paperwork. In all
of its international adoption programs, FAC is committed to placing siblings together, and to supporting adoptive
placements with relatives and foster parents wherever this possibility exists.
Applicants considering a subsequent FAC adoptive placement, after an initial adoptive placement has been made,
must legally finalize the first adoption prior to submitting a new application for services with FAC. Exceptions may
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be made if a sibling becomes available for adoptive placement, and both the agency and the adoptive family are in
agreement that the placement would be appropriate. Families must legally finalize an adoptive placement through
another agency prior to applying to adopt through FAC.
Collaboration with other adoption agencies
Pursuant to Rule 5101:2-49-19 of the Ohio Administrative Code, FAC will provide access to approved homestudies
as well as related documents to another PCSA, PCPA, or PNA which requests a copy of the homestudy for matching
purposed of a special needs child. FAC shall make its homestudies of all approved families, who have signed the
authorization for release of information form, available to any other agency which requests a copy of the homestudy.
The homestudy shall be released within 15 days after a request has been made as long as the authorization for such
release has been submitted to the agency and FAC policy requirements have been met (including fee payment). The
agency shall not release a homestudy when it is determined that the application or the homestudy contains a false
statement. FAC will also release a copy of the homestudy, not including reference letters, to the adoptive applicant
(as required by the Hague Treaty) at the time of homestudy approval. There will be no charge for the above services.
Because the agency has specific working agreements with international agencies abroad, FAC reserves the right to
complete a new adoption study for any applicant with a completed adoption study and/or previous adoptive
placement from another public or private agency. Preparation for cross-cultural adoption, and specific education
regarding the needs of foreign-born children and applicable overseas rules/processes, will be an integral component
of all FAC adoption study and update procedures. Time frames cited above for adoptive applicants will apply.
In determining services for a family with a completed adoption study/previous adoptive placement from another
public or private agency, FAC shall not consider a homestudy that has been sent to the agency by a prospective
adoptive parent; only homestudies forwarded to FAC by another agency shall be considered. No additional
documentation for the homestudy shall be required beyond what is required by Chapter 5101:2-48 of the
Administrative Code. These documents will be stored in the case record and safeguarded in the same manner as
studies approved by FAC. Although most matching of waiting children and adoptive parents occurs within the
country where the child resides prior to placement in the United States, FAC does recruit adoptive families for some
special needs children from Korea. When approved homestudies are forwarded for a specific child, the agency must
consider those homestudies in the same manner in which the agency considers its own homestudies approved within
the agency. Homestudies from other agencies shall be regularly considered for potential adoption matches until the
family is no longer available for adoption, a child has been matched with the family or the homestudy has expired.
FAC shall integrate all homestudy materials and related documents received from other agencies into the agency’s
files of approved homestudies. FAC does not solicit homestudys from other agencies for the purpose of locating a
family of a specific race, color or national origin.
Complaint Process
FAC has established a review procedure to address complaints from adoptive applicants, prospective adoptive
families and adoptive families. FAC shall adhere to the following review procedures pursuant to Rule 5101:2-48-24
of the Administrative Code:
• FAC’s review shall occur within 30 days of the receipt of a request of an agency review and shall include a
face-to-face meeting with the adoptive applicant, prospective adoptive families and adoptive families
requesting an agency review, the adoptive family caseworker and the FAC administrator or her designee.
• A written decision, including the reason for the decision, shall be rendered by the administrator of FAC or her
designee. The decision shall be based upon the evidence presented at the review. A copy of the decision shall
be provided to all parties to the agency review within fifteen days of the review.
Page 13
• All documentation related to notification regarding rights to an agency review and written decisions of the
agency review required by this rule shall be maintained in the child and family case record.
• When an approved adoptive family requests an agency review because the family believes an adoptive
placement was denied or will be denied solely on the basis of geographic location, FAC shall provide the
family with notices and copies of all materials related to requesting a state hearing.
• For complaints involving alleged discriminatory acts, policies, or practices pertaining to the foster care and
adoption process that involve race, color or national origin, the procedures continued in rule 5101:2-33-03 of
the Administrative Code supersede the requirements of this rule.
• FAC shall follow procedures as outlined in rule 5101:2-33-13 of the Administrative Code when an agency
determines there may knowingly be falsification on an adoptive application or homestudy.
Effective March 1, 2005, FAC provides written notice of the procedures for any complaints of discrimination in the
adoption process that involve race, color or national origin (RCNO) to all individuals who have approved adoptive
homestudies or who are participating in the adoptive homestudy process. Adoptive applicants receive a copy of the
agency’s Standards of Conduct and complaint procedures as an attachment to the Adoption Policy. A copy of JFS
01611, “Non-Discrimination Requirements for Foster Care and Adoptive Placements” is also an attachment to the
Adoption Policy. For complaints involving alleged discriminatory acts, policies or practices pertaining to the
adoption process that involve RCNO, the procedures contained in OAC Rule 5101:2-33-03 and as set forth in the
agency’s Standards of Conduct (in accordance with rule 5101:2-33-11) and related complaint procedures supersede
the requirements of FAC agency review procedures.
As an international adoption agency, FAC only holds permanent custody of children until the date of their legal
finalization at Summit County Probate Court (usually 7-8 months following adoptive placement). Therefore a child
would not be in the custody of this agency at the time of his/her eighteenth birthday.
Pre-placement and pre-finalization services
FAC provides comprehensive pre-finalization services for adoptive families, from the date of adoptive placement
until the issuance of a final decree of adoption, following applicable regulations of the State of Ohio, the local Court,
and the child's country of origin.
Within four days after an adoptive placement, an assessor from FAC responsible for supervising the adoptive
placement shall contact the adoptive parent(s) by telephone to determine how the placement is progressing. An
assessor shall make a face-to-face home visit with the adoptive parent(s) and child no later than seven days
following the adoptive placement. The assessor shall make face-to-face post placement visits in the adoptive
parent(s) home with the adoptive parent(s) and the child throughout the finalization period. The post placement
visit shall occur no later than thirty days after the assessor's last face-to-face home visit with the adoptive parent(s)
and the child. Post placement visits shall continue to be held by the assessor in the home within thirty days from
each of the last proceeding visits. The assessor shall make face-to-face contact at least every sixty days with all
other household members. The assessor shall gather and document at minimum information to determine how the
placement is progressing from the perspective of the adoptive parent(s), child, and all other household members.
Documentation made by the assessor shall include information relevant to the JFS 1699, if applicable to the
person(s) the assessor is making contact.
When an adoptive child is placed in an approved adoptive parent(s) home and the adoptive parent(s) or other
household member(s) knowingly make a false statement that results in the assessor reassessment of an approved or
updated homestudy, the adoptive parent(s) or household member(s) is guilty of the offense of falsification under
section 2921.13 of the Revised Code. The assessor shall report incidents of falsification according to procedures
pursuant to rule 5101:2-33-13 of the Administrative Code.
Page 14
Prefinalization services shall be provided to the adoptive parent and the child from the date of adoptive placement
of the child until the issuance of a final decree of adoption. The FAC assessor shall provide or arrange for, at a
minimum, the following prefinalization services, as applicable: (1) Case management; (2)Counseling; (3) Crisis
services; (4) Diagnostic; and (5) Therapeutic services.
Prefinalization services listed above in this rule shall be provided or arranged for by the assessor for the child and
the adoptive parent through one or more of the following: (1) Information and referral services to community
resources; (2) Direct services from FAC; or (3) Services from community service providers.
The assessor shall complete the JFS 01699 "Prefinalization Adoption Assessment Report" (rev. 12/2006) prior to
the issuance of a final decree of adoption or finalization of an interlocutory order of adoption.
Prior to placement of a child in any approved adoptive home, FAC shall provide the adoptive parent(s) with:
(1) The Child Study Inventory, JFS 01685, and all applicable attachments.
(2) The “Adoption Information Disclosure Form,” JFS 01667.
(3) A copy of the JFS 01654, “Adoptive Placement Agreement.”
(4) Information regarding any child-specific financial and medical resources, known or anticipated, including
subsidy information.
(5) The child’s lifebook, if applicable.
(6) Materials the birth parents request be given to the adopted person or adoptive parent(s), photographs of
the birth parents, and birth parents’ first names when authorization is given on JFS 01693, “Ohio Law and
Adoption Materials.”
(7) The child’s social security number, if applicable.
(8) Summation of the history of the child’s biological family, including the JFS 01616, “Social and Medical
History.”
Family Adoption Consultants will notify the public child welfare agency in the county where each prospective parent
resides, of an impending adoptive placement no later than 10 days prior to the placement of a child into the adoptive
home. Notification to the county PCSA where the family resides, will be provided in writing, and will include a
description of the prospective adoptive child’s special needs, the age of the prospective adoptive child, the name of
the prospective adoptive parents, and the number of children who will reside in the home when the new child is
placed. FAC does not typically place infants for adoption, however, in the case of an infant placement the
notification may be made prior to the birth of the child.
Post-Finalization Services
FAC provides post-finalization services, following issuance of a final decree of adoption, to adoptive family members
previously served by the agency. Services are provided upon request from the adoptive parent or adoptee, either
directly or by referral. These include short-term counseling to any/all members of the adoptive family, review of case
history materials, and, upon written request of a parent, legal custodian or guardian, consultation on adoption-related
issues to non-agency professionals who are working with the family. FAC reserves the right to set reasonable fees for
direct post-finalization services provided to the family more than nine months after legal finalization of the adoptive
placement, not to exceed the cost of rendering such services. As needed, FAC will also refer persons requesting post-
finalization services to an agency specializing in such services, the local public children’s services agency, or to
therapists with expertise in adoption issues. Additionally, any information FAC releases related to a referral for
post-finalization services, will be done pursuant to rule 5101:2-48-20 of the Administrative Code.
Post-finalization services are provided to birth parents by our partner agencies in the foreign country. FAC will work
cooperatively with those entities to assist with post-placement requests made by the birth families when applicable. If
an adoptive parent, adoptee or birth parent contacts FAC for post-finalization services and it is determined that
Page 15
another agency made the adoptive placement, FAC will assist the person in contacting the placing agency to provide
the post-finalization services.
Statement of Assurance
Family Adoption Consultants' family recruitment programs, education/training activities, and adoption programs shall
maintain compliance with all provisions of 42 U.S.C. 671(a), the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, Pub. L.
No. 105-89; the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, 25 U.S.C.A. 1901, et seq; the Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994
(MEPA) as amended by section 1808 of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996; and Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964.
The Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994, as amended by Section 1808 of the Small Business Job Protection Act of
1996, 42 U.S.C. 622 (b)(9), 671 (a)(18), 674 (d) and 1996 (b), and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C.
2000d, et. seq. as they apply to the adoption process do not supercede the provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act
of 1978.
Any additions or changes in the agency Adoption Policy will be submitted to the Ohio Department of Job and Family
Services within 30 days of the applicable addition or change. Copies of this information will also be forwarded to all
inquiring and/or active adoptive applicants within the same time frame.
Reviewed Annually by the Board of Directors
Reviewed and approved by Family Adoption Consultants Board of Directors on 12-17-2008

FAMILY ADOPTION CONSULTANTS/OHIO: AGENCY POLICIES PER OAC RULE 5101:2-5-13
Rules 5101:2-5-13, 2-5-16, and 2-7-11: Religious participation, socialization and education
Policy: Family Adoption Consultants provides only international adoption services, placing children
from other countries into Ohio adoptive homes. The only out-of-home care provided by the
agency is for the purpose of adoption. All adoptive parents receive preservice training
regarding the religious background of their child’s country of origin, as well as educational
practices. In addition, all prospective adoptive families are accepted for service by the agency
with consideration and sensitivity to their religious background. Respecting and incorporating
elements of the adopted child’s culture of birth is addressed in depth in the adoption homestudy.
Based upon the ethnic origins and family background of any overseas child placed for
intercountry adoption, the agency consults with the parent, guardian or prior legal custodian,
and provides information to the adoptive parents regarding activities appropriate to the child’s
background, including childrearing practices. Families are instructed that any child in an
agency pre-adoptive placement may be encouraged to participate in religious activities, but will
not be coerced to do so. Each child will be provided the opportunity for practicing the chosen
religious beliefs and faith of the child or his family, unless it is determined and documented in
the child’s case plan by the custodial agency that practicing the child’s or family’s chosen
religious beliefs and faith is not in the child’s best interest.
The agency has only prefinalized adoptive homes, and does not have foster homes or other
temporary care settings for children. The agency will not require a child in any out-of–home
care setting to receive non-emergency medical treatment that conflicts with the religious tenets
or practices of the religion of the child or parent, without the specific written consent of the
parent, guardian or custodian. If a child in an out-of-home care setting requires emergency
medical treatment and such treatment conflicts with the religious tenets or practices of the child,
parent, guardian or custodian, the out-of-home care setting will immediately transport or
arrange for transportation of the child to a medical facility, and will contact the custodial agency
or the individual who placed the child.
A caregiver in any out-of–home care setting shall allow privileges and assign responsibilities to
a child similar to those which would be assigned to a family member of the care giver who is of
similar age and functioning level. A care giver shall make arrangements with the placing
agency for each school age child to attend a school which complies with the minimum standards
as prescribed by the state board of education and shall ensure that the child attends school in
accordance with the child care agreement. A caregiver who provides home schooling for a
child shall do so only with the approval of the child’s custodial agency. Any home schooling
program used by a caregiver shall be approved by the public school district in which the
caregiver resides (5101:2-7-11(B)). A care giver shall encourage a child to participate in
community, school, recreational and cultural heritage activities which are appropriate to his age
and functioning level, and shall as is necessary and reasonable, arrange appropriate
transportation for the child to and from such activities.
Every child has the right to enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, and religion (5101:2-5-16
(A)). The agency requires that each child shall be provided the opportunity for practicing the
chosen religious beliefs and faith of the child or his/her birth family, unless it is determined and
documented in the child’s case plan by the custodial agency that practicing the child’s or
F.A.C./Ohio Agency Policies
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family’s chosen religious beliefs and faith in not in the child’s best interests (5101:2-5-16(B))..
Adoptive parents are not to subject the child to any form of religious coercion. The agency
prohibits a caregiver from baptizing or submitting a child to any religious procedures without
prior consent of the child according to the age and functioning level and prior approval of the
child’s parent, guardian or custodian. The agency further requires a caregiver, as appropriate to
the child’s age and functioning, to teach a child tasks and skills required for life in the
community.
Rule 5101:2-5-13(A)(4): Approval of applicants for foster care and adoptions
Policy: Family Adoption Consultants recognizes that all applicants have the right to complete a joint
foster care and adoption homestudy approval process, in accordance with Rule 5101:2-48-09
and 2-48-12. However, FAC does not have a foster care program, and does not license foster
homes. Families wishing to complete this process, upon indicating this to the agency, are
immediately referred to their local public children’s services agency for this joint study.
FAC does not offer a joint study or a “foster to adopt” program, given the status of the agency
in providing only intercountry adoption services. FAC does not have children in
temporary/permanent custody residing in foster homes. Children are placed directly from
overseas into agency approved adoptive homes.
Rule 5101:2-5-13(A)(21): Discharge
Policy: Family Adoption Consultant provides out-of-home care only for intercountry adoptive
placements. Children are placed directly from overseas into agency approved adoptive homes.
Discharge from care for children in agency custody occurs at the time of legal finalization of the
adoptive placement. Adoptive families are advised of the continued availability of post-
finalization services in accordance with the FAC Adoption Policy and Rule 5101:2-48-18 of the
Ohio Administrative Code. If during the pre-finalization period the adoptive parent(s) and/or
the agency should determine that the adoption cannot be finalized and the child must be
removed from the adoptive home, all applicable provisions of Ohio (Emergency removal of a
child from an out-of-home setting), and Rule 5101: 2-42-88 (Requirements for substitute care
placement disruptions) would apply.
Rule 5101:2-5-13(A)(22): Access to administrator
Policy: All F.A.C. staff are in possession of the Ohio Administrator’s home telephone number for cases
requiring intervention after regular working hours. In the Administrator’s absence, the
Executive Director in Michigan is accessible by telephone. Staff is notified by written memo of
all planned absences of the Ohio Administrator; emergency phone access numbers are provided.
Additional designees with executive authority would be named, and information communicated
in writing to all staff, in the event that both individuals above were not accessible for any
reason. All information noted in this Policy is readily available to O.D.J.F.S. representatives.
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If an emergency occurs in any case, adoptive families are instructed to contact the assigned
social worker. If that person is not immediately available, families have emergency access
numbers for the Ohio Administrator and for FAC/Michigan. A voice mail recording after
working hours in Michigan gives emergency telephone numbers for a social worker on duty.
That person can always contact the administrator or designee, or is himself/herself an
administrator or designee.
Rule 5101:2-5-13(A)(23): Maintenance of records
Policy: All F.A.C. agency records including personnel records, children’s records, adoption records and
administrative records (i.e.: board meeting minutes, training payment invoices, etc), are kept in
secured, locked files and stored on agency premises. Personnel, children’s, adoption and
administrative records are maintained by the Administrator, with assistance from the Office
Manager. Access is by the Administrator. Strict confidentiality is maintained regarding all
children’s records, adoption records, administrative records and employee personnel files.
Individual personnel files are available to the specific employee upon written request.
Individual adoptive family files are available, minus confidential personal references, for review
by the specific adoptive family upon written request. Confidential copies of the adoption study
are furnished directly to the specific adoptive family upon written request at the time of
homestudy approval, as required by the Hague Treaty. Any other release of open records
requires written consent from the employee or adoptive parent(s). Records are maintained
permanently, with no existent provisions for disposal. All applicable O.D.J.F.S. rules are
followed.
Rule 2515:2-5-13(A)(24): Confidentiality
Policy: All F.A.C. staff must adhere to strict confidentiality regarding all family and child information.
This policy is further stated in the Personnel Policy, given to all staff at the point of hire.
Confidentiality policy/procedure is reviewed with all new hires at orientation training.
Violation of confidentiality is cause for staff disciplinary action. No information is provided to
any third party regarding any child in adoptive placement or the adoptive family without
express written release, with the exception of information required to protect a child in
placement via the Protective Service Unit of a Children Services Board (or Department of
Welfare), or information provided to the Probate Court regarding adoption finalization. In
addition, all required information will be disseminated to a Child Fatality Review Board in the
event that a child should die while under agency custody. Matters of this type are coordinated
through the Administrator and will be handled as timely and confidentially as possible.
Rule 5101:2-5-13(A)(25): Human research projects
Policy: F.A.C. shall not participate in any human research projects, fund raising or any publicity
activities, media coverage or related special events providing identifying information regarding
any adoptive family, and shall not involve a child in any such activity without the prior
informed, written consent of the parent, guardian or legal custodian and the child, according to
the child’s age and functioning level. This document shall then be contained in the applicable
child and family case records.
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Rule 5101:2-5-13(A)(26) Personnel
Policy: *The agency Personnel Policy is on file at F.A.C. This comprehensive policy includes all
required elements. The most recent revision is on file at O.D.J.F.S. All F.A.C. staff are in
possession of a copy of the Personnel Policy, furnished at point of hire, and again at the point of
revision.
Rule 5101:2-5-13(A)(28): Volunteers and college interns
Policy: Family Adoption Consultants does not utilize college interns in any capacity. Volunteers are
typically utilized by FAC for the purpose of escorting children home from Korea at the time of
placement with the adoptive families. The following documents are required to be reviewed,
signed, and submitted to FAC for the purpose of screening all volunteers: escort application, job
description, escort responsibilities form, waiver and general release, three reference letters, child
abuse clearance, a non-conviction statement, and a criminal background check (BCI&I).
All volunteers meet with an FAC administrator for orientation prior to their departure to Korea.
They are provided training to include information regarding all aspects of the trip and their
responsibilities throughout. New volunteers will accompany experienced escorts to provide
additional training and supervision during their first trip. A written job description describing
the escort’s assignment is provided to each volunteer.
FAC will not use volunteers or college interns as a replacement for paid staff.
FAC volunteers are required to notify the agency within 24 hours of any charge of any criminal
offense brought against him/her. Failure to notify the agency within 24 hours of any charge
shall result in immediate dismissal as a volunteer. If the charges result in conviction, the
volunteer shall notify the agency within 24 hours of conviction. Failure to notify FAC of the
conviction of any criminal offense shall result in the dismissal of the volunteer. The conviction
of any crime listed in rule 5101:2-5-09 while serving as a volunteer for the agency shall result in
the immediate dismissal of the volunteer.
Rule 5101:2-5-13(A)(29): Assurance of civil rights
Policy: F.A.C. provides comprehensive services to adoptive families and children in pre-finalized
adoptive placements. Services to parents, including teenage mothers, are provided by the
placing agency or other overseas agency/resource. F.A.C. upholds and protects the civil rights
of children in adoptive placement, in accordance with applicable rules in Chapters 5101:2-5 and
5101:2-48 of the Administrative Code, including provisions within the agency’s Adoption
Policy. These include issues pertaining to the child’s racial, cultural, ethnic and religious
background, as well as protection from child abuse, neglect or dependency.
Page 5
Rule 5101:2-35: Children’s Rights
Policy: Family Adoption Consultants, and any caregiver or employee of this agency, shall not in
any way violate any of the following rights of children:
• The right to enjoy freedom of thought, conscience and religion

• The right to reasonable enjoyment of privacy
• The right to have his or her opinions heard and be included, to the greatest extent
possible, when any decisions are being made affecting his life.
• The right to receive appropriate and reasonable adult guidance, support and
supervision.
• The right to be free from physical abuse and inhumane treatment.
• The right to be protected from all forms of sexual exploitation.
• The right to receive adequate and appropriate medical care.
• The right to receive adequate and appropriate food, clothing and housing.
• The right to his own money and personal property in accordance with the child’s
service or case plan.
• The right to live in clean, safe surroundings.
• The right to participate in an appropriate educational program.
• The right to communicate with family, friends and significant others from whom he
is living apart, in accordance with the child’s service or case plan.
• The right to be taught to fulfill appropriate responsibilities to himself and to others.
Rule 5101:2-5-13(A)(30): Adoption services
*The F.A.C. Agency Adoption Policy is on file at F.A.C., furnished to all adoptive applicants
and all agency staff, reviewed annually, and submitted to O.D.J.F.S. Any revisions are
distributed within 30 days of approval by the agency’s Board of Directors.
Rule 5101:2-5-13(A)(30): Post-finalization services
*The relevant policy statements are contained in the F.A.C. Agency Adoption Policy, furnished
to all adoptive applicants and all agency staff, and submitted to ODHS. Any revisions are
distributed within 30 days of approval by the agency’s Board of Directors.
Rule 5101:2-42-89(A): Death of a child in custody
Children placed for adoption from Korea and the Philippines will remain under the permanent
custody of Family Adoption Consultants until legal finalization of the adoption in Summit
County Probate Court. The following actions shall be taken in the event that a child should die
while under agency custody:
1. The caregiver shall contact FAC immediately following the death of a child in care
2. FAC shall notify the court and law enforcement agency with jurisdiction
3. FAC shall notify appropriate officials in the country from which the child was placed
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Documentation of the above notices shall be kept in the child’s case record. FAC shall work
with the adoptive family to make funeral arrangements and will explore all available financial
resources.
Reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors on December 17, 2008

FAC HAGUE ACCREDITATION POLICIES 2010
LICENSING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Section 96.30 State Licensing
96.30 (a) Family Adoption Consultants (FAC) is properly licensed to provide adoption services in Michigan and Ohio
96.30 (b) FAC follows licensing and regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions in which it provides adoption services.
96.30 (c) If providing adoption services in a State in which it is not itself licensed to provide such services, FAC does so only through
agencies or persons that are licensed or authorized to provide adoption services in that State and that are exempted providers or
acting as supervised providers; or through public domestic authorities.
Section 96.31 Corporate Structure

96.31 (a) FAC qualifies for non profit tax treatment under section 501 (c) (3) Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Section 96.32 Internal Structure and Oversight

96.32 (a) FAC has a chief executive officer qualified by education, adoption service experience, and management credentials to
ensure effective use of resources and coordinated delivery of the services provided by FAC, and has authority and responsibility for
management and oversight of the staff and any supervised providers in carrying out the adoption-related functions of the organization.
96.32 (b) FAC has a board of directors that establishes and approves its mission, policies, budget, and programs; provides leadership
to secure the resources needed to support its programs; includes one or more individuals with experience in adoption, including but
not limited to, adoptees, birth parents, prospective adoptive parent(s), and adoptive parents; and appoints and oversees the
performance of its chief executive officer.
96.32 (c) FAC keeps permanent records of meetings and deliberations of its governing body and of its major decisions affecting the
delivery of adoption services.
96.32 (d) FAC has procedures and standards, pursuant to section 96.45 and 96.46, for the selection, monitoring, and oversight of
supervised providers.
96.32 (e) FAC discloses to the accrediting entity the following information:
(1) any other names by which FAC is or has been known, under either its current or any former form of organization, and the
addresses and phone numbers used when such names were used;
(2) the name, address, and phone number of each current director, manager, and employee of FAC, and, for any such
individual who previously served as a director, manager, or employee of another provider of adoption services, the name,
address, and phone number of such other provider; and
(3) the name, address, and phone number of any entity it uses or intends to use as a supervised provider.
FINANCIAL AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Section 96.33 Budget, Audit, Insurance, and Risk Assessment Requirements
96.33 (a) FAC operates under a budget approved by its governing body for management of its funds. The budget discloses all
remuneration (including perquisites) paid to FAC board of directors, managers, employees, and supervised providers.
96.33 (b) FAC finances are subject to annual internal review and oversight and are subject to independent audits annually. FAC
submits copies of internal financial review reports for inspection by the accrediting entity each year.
96.33 (c) FAC submits copies of each audit, as well as any accompanying management letter or qualified opinion letter, for inspection
by the accrediting entity.
96.33 (d) FAC meets financial reporting requirements of Federal and State laws and regulations.
96.33 (e) FAC balance sheets show that it operates on a sound financial basis and maintains on average sufficient cash reserves,
assets, or other financial resources to meet its operating expenses for two months, taking into account its projected volume of case
and is size, scope, and financial commitments. The agency has a plan to transfer its Convention cases if it ceases to provide or is no
longer permitted to provide adoption services in Convention cases. The plan includes provisions for an organized closure and
reimbursement to clients of funds paid for services not yet rendered.
96.33 (f) FAC has safeguards to ensure that charitable donations do not influence child placement decisions in any way.
96.33 (g) FAC assesses the risks of it assumes, by reviewing information on the availability of insurance coverage for Convention-
related activities. FAC uses the assessment to meet the requirements in paragraph (h) of this section and as the basis for determining
the type and amount of professional, general, directors’ and officers’, errors and omissions, and other liability insurance to carry.
96.33 (h) FAC maintains professional liability insurance in amounts reasonably related to its exposure to risk, and in compliance with
federal regulations.
96.33 (i) FAC chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and other officers or employees with direct responsibility for financial
transactions or financial management of are bonded.
Section 96.34 Compensation

96.34 (a) FAC does not compensate any individual who provides intercountry adoption services with an incentive fee or contingent fee
for each child located or placed for adoption.
96.34 (b) FAC compensates its directors, officers, employees, and supervised providers who provide intercountry adoption services
only for services actually rendered and only on a fee-for-service, hourly wage, or salary basis rather than a contingent fee basis.
96.34 (c) FAC does not take any payments, promise payment, or give other consideration to any individual directly or indirectly
involved in provision of adoption services in a particular case, except for salaries or fees for services actually rendered and
reimbursement for costs incurred. This does not prohibit the agency from providing in-kind or other donations not intended to influence
or affect a particular adoption.
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96.34 (d) The fees, wages, or salaries paid to the directors, officers, employees, and supervised providers of FAC are not
unreasonably high in relation to the services actually rendered, taking into account the country in which the adoption services are
provided and norms for compensation within the intercountry adoption community in that country, the location, number, and
qualifications of staff; workload requirements; budget; and size.
96.34 (e) Any other compensation paid to FAC directors or members of its board of directors is not to be unreasonably high in relation
to the services rendered, taking into account the same factors listed in paragraph (d) of this section and its nonprofit status.
96.34 (f) FAC identifies all vendors to whom clients are referred for non adoption services and discloses to the accrediting entity any
corporate or financial arrangements and family relationships with such vendors.
ETHICAL PRACTICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Section 96.35 Suitability of Agency to Provide Adoption Services Consistent with the Convention
96.35 (a) FAC provides adoption services ethically and in accordance with the Convention’s principles of: (1) ensuring that
intercountry adoptions take place in the best interests of children; and (2) preventing the abduction, exploitation, sale, or trafficking of
children.
96.35 (b) In order to permit the accrediting entity to evaluate it for accreditation or approval, FAC discloses to the accrediting entity
the following information related to FAC, under its current or any former name: (1) any instances in which FAC has lost the right to
provide adoption services in any State or country, including the basis for such action(s); (2) any instances in which FAC was debarred
or otherwise denied the authority to provide adoption services in any State or country, including the basis and disposition of such
action(s); (3) any licensing suspensions for cause or other negative sanctions by oversight bodies against FAC, including the basis and
disposition of such action(s); (4) for the prior ten-year period, any disciplinary action(s) against the agency by a licensing or accrediting
body, including the basis and disposition of such action(s); (5) for the prior ten-year period, any written complain(s) related to the
provision of adoption-related services, including the basis and disposition of such complaints, again FAC filed with any State or Federal
or foreign regulatory body and of which the agency was notified; (6) for the prior ten-year period, any known past or pending
investigation(s) by Federal authorities or by public domestic authorities, criminal charge(s), child abuse charge(s), or lawsuit(s) against
Family Adoption Consultants, related to the provision of child welfare or adoption-related services, and the basis and disposition of
such action(s); (7) any instances where FAC has been found guilty of any crime under Federal, State, or foreign law or has been found
to have committed any civil or administrative violation involving financial irregularities under, Federal, State, or foreign law; (8) for the
prior five-year period, any instances where the agency has filed for bankruptcy; and (9) descriptions of any businesses or activities
that are inconsistent with principles of the Convention and that have been or are currently carried out by FAC, affiliate organizations,
or by any organization in which FAC has an ownership or controlling interest.
96.35 (c) In order to permit the accrediting entity to evaluate its suitability for accreditation or approval, FAC (for its current or any
former names) discloses to the accrediting entity the following information about its individual directors, officers, and employees: (1)
for the prior ten-year period, any conduct by any such individual related to the provision of adoption-related services that was subject
to external disciplinary proceeding(s); (2) any convictions or current investigations of any such individual who is in a senior
management position for acts involving financial irregularities; (3) the results of a State criminal background check and a child abuse
clearance for any such individual in the United States in a senior management position or who works directly with parent(s) and/or
children (unless such checks have been included in the State licensing process); (4) a completed FBI Form FD-258 for each such
individual in the United States in a senior management position or who works directly with parent(s) and/or children, which FAC must
keep on file in case future allegations warrant submission of the form for a Federal criminal background check of any such individual;
and (5) descriptions of any businesses or activities individual directors, officers, or employees of FAC.
96.35 (e) In order to permit the accrediting entity to monitor its suitability, FAC must disclose any changes in the information required
by Section 96.35 within thirty business days of learning of the change.
Section 96.36 prohibition on Child Buying

96.36 (a) FAC prohibits its employees and agents from giving money or other consideration, directly or indirectly, to a child’s
parent(s), other individual(s), or an entity as payment for the child or as an inducement to release the child. If permitted or required by
the child’s country of origin, the agency may remit reasonable payments for activities related to the adoption proceedings, pre-birth
and birth medical costs, the care of the child, the care of the birthmother while pregnant and immediately following birth of the child,
or the provision of child welfare and child protection services generally. Permitted or required contributions shall not be remitted as
payment for the child or as an inducement to release the child.
96.36 (b) FAC has written policies and procedures in place reflecting the prohibitions in paragraph (a) of this section and reinforces
them in its employee training programs.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES

Section 96.37 Education and Experience Requirements for Social Service Personnel
96.37 (a) FAC only uses employees with appropriate qualifications and credentials to perform, in connection with a Convention
adoption, adoption-related social service functions that require the application of clinical skills and judgment (home studies, child
background studies, counseling, parent preparation, post placement, and other similar services).
96.37 (b) FAC employees meet Sate licensing or regulatory requirements for the services they are providing.
96.37 (c) FAC executive director, the supervisor overseeing a case, or the social service employee providing adoption-related services
that require the application of clinical skills and judgment (home studies, child background studies, counseling, parent preparation,
post-placement, and other similar services) has experience in the professional delivery of intercountry adoption services.
96.37 (d) FAC social work supervisors have prior experience in family and children’s services, adoption, or intercountry adoption and
either: (1) Master’s degree from an accredited program of social work; (2) a Master’s degree (or doctorate) in a related human service
field, including, but not limited to, psychology, psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or pastoral
counseling; or (3) in the case of a social work supervisor who is or was an incumbent at the time the Convention enters into force for
the United States, the supervisor has significant skills and experience in intercountry adoption and has regular access for consultation
purposes to an individual with the qualifications listed in paragraph (d)(1) or paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
Page 2 of 8
96.37 (e) FAC non-supervisory employees providing adoption-related social services that require the application of clinical skills and
judgment other than home studies or child background studies have either: (1) a Master’s degree from an accredited program of social
work; or a combination of a bachelor’s degree in any field and prior experience in family and children’s services, adoption, or
intercountry adoption; and (3) are supervised by an employee of FAC who meets the requirements for supervisors in paragraph (d) of
this section.
96.37 (f) FAC employees who conduct home studies: (1) are authorized or licensed to complete a home study under the laws of the
States in which they practice; (2) meet the INA requirements for home study preparers in 8 CFR 204.3(b); and (3) are supervised by
an employee of FAC who meets the requirements in 96.37 (d).
Section 96.38 Training Requirements for Social Service Personnel

96.38 (a) FAC provides newly hired employees who have adoption-related responsibilities involving the application of clinical skills and
judgment (home studies, child background studies, counseling services, parent preparation, post-placement and other similar services)
with a comprehensive orientation to intercountry adoption that includes training on: (1) the requirements of the Convention, the IAA,
the regulations implementing the IAA, and other applicable Federal regulations; (2) the INA regulations applicable to the immigration
of children adopted from a Convention country; (3) the adoption laws of any Convention country where the agency or person provides
adoption services; (4) relevant State laws; (5) ethical considerations in intercountry adoption and prohibitions on child-buying; (6) FAC
goals, ethical and professional guidelines, organizational lines of accountability, policies, and procedures; and (7) the cultural diversity
of the population(s) served by the agency.
96.38 (b) In addition to the orientation training required, FAC provides initial training to newly hired or current employees whose
responsibilities include providing adoption-related social services that involve the application of clinical skills and judgment (home
studies, child background studies, counseling services, parent preparation, post-placement, and other similar services) that addresses:
(1) the factors in the countries of origin that lead to children needing adoptive families; (2) feelings of separation, grief, and loss
experienced by the child with respect to the family of origin; (3) attachment and post-traumatic stress disorders; (4) psychological
issues facing children who have experienced abuse or neglect and/or whose parents’ rights have been terminated because of abuse or
neglect; (5) the impact of institutionalization on child development; (6) outcomes for children placed for adoption internationally and
the benefits of permanent family placements over other forms of government care; (7) the most frequent medical and psychological
problems experienced by children from the countries of origin served by the agency or person; (8) the process of developing emotional
ties to an adoptive family; (9) acculturation and assimilation issues, including those arising from factors such as race, ethnicity, religion,
and culture and the impact of having been adopted internationally; and (10) child, adolescent, and adult development as affected by
adoption.
96.38 (c) FAC ensures that employees who provide adoption-related social services that involve the application of clinical skills and
judgment (home studies, child background studies, counseling services, parent preparation, post-placement and other similar services)
also receive, in addition to the orientation and initial training described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, no less than thirty
hours of training every two years, more if required by State law, on current and emerging adoption practice issues through
participation in seminars, conferences, documented distance learning courses, and other similar programs. Continuing education hours
required under State law may count toward the thirty hours of training as long as the training is related to current and emerging
adoption practice issues.
96.38 (d) FAC exempts newly hired and current employees from elements of the orientation and initial training required in 96.38 (a)
and (b) only where the employee has demonstrated experience with intercountry adoption and knowledge of the Convention and the
IAA.
INFORMATION DISCLOSURE, FEE PRACTICES, QUALITY CONTROL POLICIES AND PRACTICES

Section 96.39 Information Disclosure and Quality Control Practices
96.39 (a) FAC fully discloses in writing to the general public upon request to the prospective client(s) upon initial contact: (1) its
adoption service policies and practices, including general eligibility criteria and fees; (2) the supervised providers with whom the
prospective client(s) can expect to work in the United States and in the child’s country of origin and the usual costs associated with
their services; and (3) a sample written adoption services contract substantially like the one that the prospective client(s) will be
expected to sign should they proceed.
96.39 (b) FAC discloses to client(s) and prospective client(s) that the following information is available upon request and makes such
information available when requested: (1) the number of its adoption placements per year for the prior three calendar years, and the
number and percentage of those placements that remain intact, are disrupted, or have been dissolved as of the time the information is
provided; (2) the number of parents who apply to adopt on a yearly basis, based on data for the prior three calendar years; and (3)
the number of children eligible for adoption and awaiting an adoptive placement referral via FAC.
96.39 (c) FAC does not give preferential treatment to its board members, contributors, volunteers, employees, agents, consultants, or
independent contractors with respect to the placement of children for adoption.
96.39 (d) FAC requires a client to sign a waiver of liability as part of the adoption service contract only where that waiver complies
with applicable State law. Any waiver required is limited and specific, based on risks that have been discussed and explained to the
client in the adoption services contract.
96.39 (e) FAC cooperates with reviews, inspections, and audits by the accrediting entity or the Secretary.
96.39 (f) FAC uses the internet in the placement of individual children eligible for adoption only where: (1) such use is not prohibited
by applicable State or federal law or by the laws of the child’s country of origin; (2) such use is subject to controls to avoid misuse and
links to any sites that reflect practices that involve the sale, abduction, exploitation, or trafficking of children; (3) such use, if it includes
photographs, is designed to identify children either who are currently waiting for adoption or who have already been adopted or placed
for adoption (and who are clearly so identified); and (4) such use does not serve as a substitute for the direct provision of adoption
services, including services to the child, the prospective adoptive parent(s), and/or the birth parent(s).
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Section 96.40 Fee Policies and Procedures
96.40 (a) FAC provides to all applicants, prior to application, a written schedule of expected total fees and estimated expenses and an
explanation of the conditions under which fees or expenses may be charged, waived, reduced, or refunded and of when and how the
fees and expenses must be paid.
96.40 (b) Before providing any adoption service to prospective adoptive parent(s), FAC itemizes and discloses in writing the following
information for each separate category of fees and estimated expenses that the prospective adoptive parent(s) will be charged in
connection with a Convention adoption: (1) Home study: the expected total fees and estimated expenses for home study preparation
and approval, whether the home study is to be prepared directly by FAC itself, or prepared by a supervised provider, exempted
provider, or approved person and approved as required under Section 96.47; (2) Adoption Expenses in the United States: the
expected total fees and estimated expenses for all adoption services other than the home study that will be provided in the United
States, including but is not limited to, personnel costs, administrative overhead, operational costs, training and education,
communications and publications costs, and any other costs related to providing adoption services in the United States; (3) Foreign
Country Program Expenses: the expected total fees and estimated expenses for all adoption services that will be provided in the child’s
Convention country, including, but is not limited to, costs for personnel, administrative overhead, training, education, , legal services,
and communications, and any other costs related to providing adoption services in the Child’s Convention country; (4) Care of the
Child: the expected total fees and estimated expenses charged to prospective adoptive parent(s) for the care of the child in the country
of origin prior to adoption, including, but not limited to, costs for food, clothing, shelter and medical care; foster care services;
orphanage care; and any other services provided directly to the child; (5) Translation and Document Expenses: the expected total fees
and estimated expenses for obtaining any necessary documents and for any translation of documents related to the adoption, along
with information on whether the prospective adoptive parent(s) will be expected to pay such costs directly or to third parties, either in
the United States or in the child’s Convention country, or through the agency or person. This category includes, but is not limited to,
costs for obtaining, translating, or copying records or documents required to complete the adoption, costs for the child’s Convention
court documents, passport, adoption certificate and other documents related to the adoption, and costs for notarizations and
certifications; (6) Contributions: any fixed contribution amount or percentage that the prospective adoptive parent(s) will be expected
or required to make to child protection or child welfare service programs in the child’s Convention country or in the United States,
along with an explanation of the intended use of the contribution and the manner in which the transaction will be recorded and
accounted for; and (7) Post-placement and Post-adoption Reports: the expected total fees and estimated expenses for any post-
placement or post-adoption reports that FAC or parent(s) must prepare in light of any requirements of the expected country of origin.
96.40 (c) If the following fees and estimated expenses were not disclosed as part of the categories identified in paragraph (b) of this
section, FAC itemizes and disclosed in writing any: (1) Third Party Fees: the expected total fees and estimated expenses for services
that the prospective adoptive parent(s) will be responsible to pay directly to a third party. Such third party fees include, but are not
limited to, fees to competent authorities for services rendered or Central Authority processing fees; and (2) Travel and Accommodation
Expenses: the expected total fees and estimated expenses for any travel, transportation, and accommodation services arranged by FAC
for the prospective adoptive parent(s).
96.40 (d) FAC also specifies in its adoption services contract when and how funds advanced to cover fees or expenses will be
refunded if adoption services are not provided.
96.40 (e) When FAC uses part of its fees to provide special services, such as cultural programs for adoptee(s), scholarships or other
services, it discloses this policy to prospective adoptive parent(s) in advance of providing any adoption services and gives the
prospective adoptive parent(s) a general description of the programs supported by such funds.
96.40 (f) FAC has mechanisms in place for transferring funds to Convention countries when the financial institutions of the Convention
country so permit and for obtaining written receipts for such transfers, so that direct cash transactions by the prospective adoptive
parent(s) to pay for adoption services provided in the Convention country are minimized or unnecessary.
96.40 (g) FAC does not customarily charge additional fees and expenses beyond those disclosed in the adoption services contract and
has a written policy. In the event that unforeseen additional fees and expenses are incurred in the Convention country, FAC charges
additional fees and expenses only under the following conditions: (1) it discloses the fees and expenses in writing to the prospective
adoptive parent(s); (2) it obtains the specific consent of the prospective adoptive parent(s) prior to expending any funds in excess of
$1000 for which the agency will hold the prospective adoptive parent(s) responsible or gives the prospective adoptive parent(s) the
opportunity to waive the notice and consent requirement in advance. If the prospective adoptive parent(s) has the opportunity to
waive the notice and consent requirement in advance, this policy is reflected in the written policies and procedures of FAC; and (3) it
provides written receipts to the prospective adoptive parent(s) for fees and expenses paid directly by FAC in the Convention country
and retains copies of such receipts.
96.40 (h) FAC returns any funds to which the prospective adoptive parent(s) may be entitled with sixty days of the completion of the
delivery of services.
RESPONDING TO COMPLAINTS AND RECORDS AND REPORTS MANAGEMENT

Section 96.41 Procedures for Responding to Complaints and Improving Service Delivery
96.41 (a) FAC has written complaint policies and procedures that incorporate the standards in paragraphs (b) through (h) of this
section and provides a copy of such policies and procedures, including contact information for the Complaint Registry, to client(s) at
the time the adoption services contract is signed. The Procedure: In all areas of service, the agency endeavors to safeguard the legal
rights of children, their families, foster families, releasing parents, adoptees, adoptive applicants, prospective adoptive families and
adoptive families. FAC endeavors to provide excellent services. FAC encourages our clients to share any suggestions for improvement
or complaints with the staff person with whom they are working. The staff person will attempt to work through any problems or
complaint in a non adversarial manner. In the event that the problem or complaint remains unresolved, FAC has established a review
procedure to address complaints and provides a copy of such policies and procedures, including contact information for the Complaint
Registry for complains that may raise an issue of compliance with the Hague Convention, the IAA, or the regulations implementing the
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IAA, to client(s) at the time the adoption services contract is signed. FAC does not take any action to discourage making a complaint;
expressing a grievance; or questioning the conduct of or expressing an opinion about performance or providing information in writing
or interviews to an accrediting entity on FAC performance. Complaint data will be collected and reviewed in the agency’s Quality
Improvement Program. The decision to deny an applicant’s approval for adoption is not typically a matter in con compliance with the
Hague Convention.
• FAC responds in writing within 30 days of the receipt of a written, signed and dated request for an agency review.
• The written request shall include all the facts, evidence and any other material information related to the grievance including
any previous efforts to resolve the complaint.
• A written decision shall be rendered by the administrator of FAC or designee. A copy of the decision shall be provided to all
parties with in thirty days of receipt of the written request. FAC provides expedited review of any such requests that are time-
sensitive or than involve allegations of fraud.
96.41 (b) FAC permits any birth parent, prospective adoptive parent or adoptive parent, or adoptee to lodge directly with FAC signed
and dated complaints about any of the services or activities of FAC (including its use of supervised providers) that he or she believes
raise an issue of compliance with the Convention, the IAA, or the regulations implementing the IAA, and advises such individuals of the
additional procedures available to them if they are dissatisfied with FAC response to their complaint.
96.41 (c) FAC responds in writing to complaints received pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section within thirty days of receipt, and
provides expedited review of such complaints that re time-sensitive or that involve allegations of fraud.
96.41 (d) FAC maintains a written record of each complaint received pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section and the steps taken to
investigate and respond to it and makes this record available to the accrediting entity or the Secretary upon request.
96.41 (e) FAC does not take any action to discourage a client or prospective client from, or retaliate against a client or prospective
client for: making a complaint; expressing a grievance; providing information in writing or interviews to an accrediting entity on FAC
performance; or questioning the conduct of or expressing an opinion about the performance of an agency or person.
96.41 (f) FAC provides to the accrediting entity and the Secretary, on a semiannual basis, a summary of all complaints received
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section during the preceding six months (including the number of complaints received and how each
complaint was resolved) and an assessment of any discernible patterns in complaints received against FAC pursuant to paragraph (b)
of this section, along with information about what systemic changes, if any, were made or are planned by FAC in response to such
patterns.
96.41 (g) FAC provides an information about complaints received pursuant to 96.41 (b) as may be requested by the accrediting entity
or the Secretary.
96.41 (h) FAC has quality improvement program appropriate to its size and circumstances through which it makes systematic efforts
to improve its adoption services as needed. FAC uses quality improvement methods such as reviewing complaint data, using client
satisfaction surveys, or comparing the agency’s practices and performances against the data contained in the Secretary’s annual
reports to Congress on intercountry adoptions.
Section 96.42 Retention, Preservation, and Disclosure of Adoption Records

96.42 (a) FAC retains/archives adoption records in a safe, secure, and retrievable manner for the period of time required by
applicable State law.
96.42 (b) FAC makes readily available to the adoptee and the adoptive parent(s) upon request all non-identifying information in its
custody about the adoptee’s health history or background.
96.42 (c) FAC ensures that personal data gathered or transmitted in connection with an adoption is used only for the purposes for
which the information was gathered and safeguards sensitive individual information.
96.42 (d) FAC has a plan that is consistent with the provisions of this section, the plan required under Section 96.33, and applicable
State law for transferring custody of adoption records that are subject to retention or archival requirements to an appropriate
custodian, and ensuring the accessibility of those adoption records, in the event that FAC ceases to provide or is no longer permitted to
provide adoption services under the Convention.
96.42 (e) FAC notifies the accrediting entity and the Secretary in writing within thirty days of the time it ceases to provide or is no
longer permitted to provide adoption services and provides information about the transfer of its adoption records.
Section 96.43 case Tracking, Data Management, and Reporting

96.43 (a) When acting as the primary provider, FAC maintains all the data required in this section in a format approved by the
accrediting entity and provides it to the accrediting entity annually.
96.43 (b) When acting as the primary provider, FAC routinely generates and maintains reports as follows: (1) for cases involving
children immigrating to the United States, information and reports on the total number of intercountry adoptions undertaken by FAC
each year in both Convention and non-Convention cases and, for each case: (i) the Convention country or other country from which
the child emigrated; (ii) the State to which the child immigrated; (iii) the State, Convention country, or other country in which the
adoption was finalized; (iv) the age of the child; and (v) the date of the child’s placement for adoption. (2) for each disrupted
placement involving a Convention adoption, information and reports about the disruption, including information on: (i) the Convention
country from which the child emigrated; (ii) the State to which the child immigrated; (iii) the age of the child; (iv) the date of the
child’s placement for adoption; (v) the reason(s) for and resolution(s) of the disruption of the placement for adoption, including
information on the child’s re-placement for adoption and final legal adoption; (vi) the names of the agencies or persons that handled
the placement for adoption; and (vii) the plans for the child. (4) wherever possible, for each dissolution of a Convention adoption,
information and reports on the dissolution, including information on: (i) the Convention country from which the child emigrated; (ii)
the State to which the child immigrated; (iii) the age of the child; (iv) the date of the child’s placement for adoption; (v) the reason(s)
for and resolution(s) of the dissolution of the adoption, to the extent known by the agency; (vi) the names of the agencies or persons
that handled the placement for adoption; and (vii) the plans for the child. (5) information on the shortest, longest, and average length
of time it takes to complete a Convention adoption, set forth by the child’s country of origin, calculated from the time the child is
matched with the prospective adoptive parent(s) until the time the adoption is finalized by a court, excluding any period for appeal;
Page 5 of 8
(6) information on the range of adoption fees, including the lowest, highest, average, and the median of such fees, set forth by the
child’s country of origin, charged by FAC for Convention adoptions involving children immigrating to the United States in connection
with their adoption.
96.43 (c) N/A – FAC does not provide services in outgoing cases.
96.43 (d) FAC provides any of the information described in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section to the accrediting entity or the
Secretary within thirty days of request.
Section 96.44 Acting as Primary Provider

96.44 (a) When Family Adoption Consultants acts as primary provider it adheres to the provisions in Section 96.14 (b) through (e).
When acting as the primary provider, Family Adoption Consultants develops and implements a service plan for providing all adoption
services and provides all such services, either directly or through arrangements with supervised providers, exempted providers, public
domestic authorities, competent authorities, Central Authorities, public foreign authorities, or, to the extent permitted by Section 96.14
(c), other foreign providers (agencies, persons, or other non-governmental entities).
96.44 (b) Family Adoption Consultants has an organizational structure, financial and personnel resources, and policies and procedures
in place that demonstrate that the agency or person is capable of acting as primary provider in any Convention adoption case, and
when acting as the primary provider, provides appropriate supervision to supervised providers and verifies the work of other foreign
providers in accordance with Section 96.45 and 96.46.
Section 96.45 Using Supervised Providers in the United States

96.45 (a) Family Adoption Consultants, when acting as the primary provider and using exempt providers in the United States to
provide adoption services, ensures that each such exempt provider: (1) is in compliance with applicable State licensing and regulatory
requirements in all jurisdictions in which it provides adoption services; (2) does not engage in practices inconsistent with the
Convention’s principles of furthering the best interests of the child and preventing the sale, abduction, exploitation, or trafficking of
children; and (3) before entering into an agreement with the primary provider for the provision of adoption services, discloses to the
primary provider suitability information listed in FAC’s suitability form.
96.45 (b) Family Adoption Consultants, when acting as the primary provider and using exempt providers in the United States to
provide adoption services, ensures that each such exempt provider operates under a written agreement with the primary provider that:
(1) Identifies clearly the adoption service(s) to be provided by the exempt provider and requires that the service(s) be provided in
accordance with the applicable service standard(s) for accreditation and approval. (2) identifies specifically the lines of authority
between the primary provider and the exempt provider, the employee of the primary provider who will be the liaison and review and
approve home study and post adoption reposts, and the employee of the exempt provider who will be responsible for ensuring
compliance with the written agreement; (3) States clearly the compensation arrangement for the services to be provided and the fees
and expenses to be charged by the exempt provider are billed directly to the client by the exempt provider; (4) Specifies that the
exempt provider’s fees and expenses will be billed to and paid by the client(s) directly; (5) provides that the exempt provider will give
the client(s) an itemization of all fees and expenses to be paid, with a written explanation of how and when such fees and expenses
will be refunded if the service is not completed; (6) requires the exempt provider to meet the same personnel qualifications for
adoption home study services as accredited agencies and approved persons; (7) Requires the exempt provider to limit the use of and
safeguard personal date gathered or transmitted in connection with an adoption, as provided for in Section 96.42; (8) Requires the
exempt provider to respond within a reasonable period of time to any request for information from the primary provider, the Secretary,
or the accrediting entity that issued the primary provider’s accreditation or approval; (9) Requires the exempt provider to provide the
primary provider on a timely basis any data that is necessary to comply with the primary provider’s reporting requirements; (10)
Requires the exempt provider to disclose promptly to the primary provider any changes in the suitability information provided. (11)
Permits suspension or termination of the agreement on reasonable notice if the primary provider has grounds to believe that the
exempt provider is not in compliance with the agreement or the requirements of this section.
Using Providers in Convention Countries

96.46 (c) Family Adoption Consultants, when acting as the primary provider and, in accordance with Section 96.14, using foreign
providers that are not under its supervision, verifies, through review of the relevant documentation and other appropriate steps, that:
(1) Any necessary consent to termination of parental rights or to adoption obtained by the foreign provider was obtained in accordance
with applicable foreign law and Article 4 of the Convention; (2) Any background study and report on a child in a case involving
immigration to the United States (an incoming case) performed by the foreign provider was performed in accordance with applicable
foreign law and Article 16 of the Convention.
STANDARDS FOR CASES IN WHICH A CHILD IS IMMIGRATING TO THE UNTIED STATES (INCOMING CASES)
Section 96.47 Preparation of Home Studies in Incoming Cases
96.47 (a) FAC ensures that a home study on the prospective adoptive parent(s) which includes the initial report and any supplemental
statement submitted to DHS is completed that includes, but is not limited to, the following: (1) information about the prospective
adoptive parent(s) identity, eligibility and suitability to adopt, background, family and medical history, social environment, reasons for
adoption, ability to undertake an intercountry adoption, and the characteristics of the children for whom the prospective adoptive
parent(s) would be qualified to care, specifying in particular whether they are willing and able to care for a child with special needs; (2)
a determination whether the prospective adoptive parent(s) are eligible and suited to adopt; (3) a statement describing the counseling
and training provided to the prospective adoptive parent(s); (4) the results of a criminal background check on the prospective adoptive
parent(s) and any other individual for whom a check is required by 8 CFR 204.3(e); (5) a full and complete statement of all facts
relevant to the eligibility and suitability of the prospective adoptive parent(s) to adopt a child under any specific requirements identified
to the Secretary by the Central Authority of the child’s country of origin; and (6) a statement in each copy of the home study that is a
true and accurate copy of the home study that was provided to the prospective adoptive parent(s) or DHS.
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96.47 (b) FAC ensures that the home study is performed in accordance with 8 CFR 204.3(e), and any applicable State law.
96.47(c) Where the home study is not performed in the first instance by an accredited agency or temporarily accredited agency, FAC
ensures that the home study is reviewed and approved in writing by an accredited agency or temporarily accredited agency. The
written approval must include a determination that the home study: (1) includes all information required by paragraph (a) of this
section and is performed in accordance with 8 CFR 204.3(e), and applicable State law; and (2) was performed by an individual who
meets the requirements in Section 96.37 (f), or, if the individual is an exempted provider, ensures that the individual meets the
requirements for home study providers established by 8 CFR 204.3(b).
96.47 (d) FAC takes all appropriate measures to ensure the timely transmission of the same home study that was provided to the
prospective adoptive parent(s) or to DHS to the Central Authority of the child’s country of origin (or to an alternative authority
designated by the Central Authority).
Section 96.48 Preparation and Training of Prospective Adoptive Parent(s) in Incoming Cases
96.48 (a) FAC provides prospective adoptive parent(s) with at least 10 hours (independent of the home study) of preparation and
training, designed to promote a successful intercountry adoption. FAC provides such training before the prospective adoptive parent(s)
travel to adopt the child or the child is placed with the prospective adoptive parent(s) for adoption.
96.48 (b) The training provided by FAC addresses the following topics: (1) the intercountry adoption process, the general
characteristics and needs of children awaiting adoption, and the in-country conditions that affect children in the Convention country
from which the prospective adoptive parent(s) plan to adopt; (2) the effects on children of malnutrition, relevant environmental toxins,
maternal substance abuse, and of any other known genetic, health, emotional, and developmental risk factors associated with children
from the expected country of origin; (3) information about the impact on a child of leaving familiar ties and surroundings, as
appropriate to the expected age of the child; (4) data on institutionalized children and the impact of institutionalization on children,
including the effect on children of the length of time spend in an institution and of the type of care provided in the expected country of
origin; (5) information on attachment disorder and other emotional problems that institutionalized or traumatized children and children
with a history of multiple caregivers may experience, before and after their adoption; (6) information on the laws and adoption
processes of the expected country of origin, including foreseeable delays and impediments to finalization of an adoption; (7)
information on the long-term implications for a family that has become multicultural through intercountry adoption; and (8) an
explanation of any reporting requirements associated with Convention adoptions, including any post-placement or post adoption
reports required by the expected country of origin.
96.48(c) FAC also provides the prospective adoptive parent(s) with training that allows them to be as fully prepared as possible for
the adoption of a particular child. This includes counseling on: (1) the child’s history and cultural, racial, religious, ethnic, and linguistic
background; (2) the known health risks in the specific region or country where the child resides; and (3) any other medical, social,
background, birth history, educational data, developmental history, or any other data known about the particular child.
96.48 (d) FAC provides such training appropriate methods, including: (1) collaboration among agencies or persons to share resources
to meet the training needs of prospective adoptive parents; (2) group seminars offered by FAC or other agencies or training entities;
(3) individual counseling sessions; (4) video, computer-assisted, or distance learning methods using standardized curricula; or (5) in
cases where training cannot otherwise be provided, an extended home study process, with a system for evaluating the thoroughness
with which the topics have been covered.
96.48 (e) FAC provides additional in-person, individualized counseling and preparation, as needed, to meet the needs of the
prospective adoptive parent(s) in light of the particular child to be adopted and his or her special needs, and any other training our
counseling needed in light of the child background study or the home study.
96.48 (f) FAC provides the prospective adoptive parent(s) with information about print, Internet, and other resources available for
continuing to acquire information about common behavioral, medical, and other issues; connecting with parent support groups,
adoption clinics and experts; and seeking appropriate help when needed.
96.48 (g) FAC exempts prospective adoptive parent(s) from all or part of the training and preparation that would normally be required
for a specific adoption only when FAC determines that the prospective adoptive parent(s) have received adequate prior training or have
adequate prior experience as parent(s) of children adopted from abroad.
96.48 (h) FAC records the nature and extent of the training and preparation provided to the prospective adoptive parent(s) in the
adoption record.
Section 96.49 Provision of Medical and Social Information in Incoming Cases

96.49 (a) FAC provides a copy of the child’s medical records (including, to the fullest extent practicable, a correct and complete
English-language translation of such records) to the prospective adoptive parent(s) as early as possible, but no later than two weeks
before either the adoption or placement for adoption, or the date on which the prospective adoptive parent(s) travel to the Convention
country to complete all procedures in such country relating to the adoption or placement for adoption, whichever is earlier.
96.49 (b) Where any medical record provided pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section is a summary or compilation of other medical
records, FAC includes those underlying medical records in the medical records provided pursuant to paragraph (a) if they are available.
96.49 (c) FAC provides the prospective adoptive parent(s) with any un-translated medical reports or videotapes or other reports and
provides an opportunity for the client(s) to arrange for their own translation of the records, including a translation into a language
other than English, if needed.
96.49 (d) FAC itself uses reasonable efforts, or required its supervised provider in the child’s country of origin who is responsible for
obtaining medical information about the child on behalf of FAC to use reasonable efforts, to obtain available information, including in
particular: (1) the date that the Convention country or other child welfare authority assumed custody of the child and the child’s
condition at that time; (2) history of any significant illnesses, hospitalizations, special needs, and changes in the child’s condition since
the Convention country or other child welfare authority assumed custody of the child; (3) growth data, including prenatal and birth
history, and developmental status over time and current developmental data at the time of the child’s referral for adoption; and (4)
specific information on the known health risks in the specific region or country where the child resides.
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96.49 (e) If FAC provides medical information, other than the information provided by public foreign authorities, to the prospective
adoptive parent(s) from an examination by a physician or from an observation of the child by someone who is not a physician, FAC
uses reasonable efforts to include the following: (1) the name and credentials of the physician who performed the examination or the
individual who observed the child; (2) the date of the examination or observation; how the report’s information was retained and
verified; and if anyone directly responsible for the child’s care has reviewed the report; (3) if the medical information includes
references, descriptions, or observations made by any individual other than the physician who performed the examination or the
individual who performed the observation, the identity of that individual, the individual’s training, and information on what data and
perceptions the individual used to draw his or her conclusions; (4) a review of hospitalizations, significant illnesses, and other
significant medical events, and the reasons for them; (5) information about the full range of any tests performed on the child, including
tests addressing known risk factors in the child’s country of origin; and (6) current health information.
96.49 (f) FAC itself uses reasonable efforts, or requires its supervised provider in the child’s country of origin who is responsible for
obtaining social information about the child on behalf of FAC to use reasonable efforts, to obtain available information, including in
particular: (1) information about the child’s birth family and prenatal history and cultural, racial, religious, ethnic, and linguistic
background; (2) information about all of the child’s past and current placements prior to adoption, including, but not limited to any
social work or court reports on the child and any information on who assumed custody and provided care for the child; and (3)
information about any birth siblings whose existence is known to the agency or person, or its supervised provider, including
information about such siblings’ whereabouts.
96.49 (g) Where any of the information listed in paragraphs (d) and (f) of this section cannot be obtained, FAC documents in the
adoption record the efforts made to obtain the information and why it was not obtainable. FAC continues to use reasonable efforts to
secure those medical or social records that could not be obtained up until the adoption is finalized.
96.49 (h) Where available, FAC provides information for contacting the examining physician or the individual who made the
observations to any physician engaged by the prospective adoptive parent(s), upon request.
96.49 (i) FAC ensures that videotapes and photographs of the child are identified by the date on which the videotape or photograph
was recorded or taken and that they were made in compliance with the laws in the country where recorded or taken.
96.49 (j) FAC does not withhold from or misrepresent to the prospective adoptive parent(s) any available medical, social, or other
pertinent information concerning the child.
96.49 (k) FAC does not withdraw a referral until the prospective adoptive parent(s) have had two weeks (unless extenuating
circumstances involving the child’s best interests require a more expedited decision) to consider the needs of the child and their ability
to meet those needs, and to obtain physician review of medical information and other descriptive information, including videotapes of
the child if available.
Section 96.51 Post-Adoption Services in Incoming Cases

96.51 (a) FAC takes all appropriate measures to ensure that the transfer of the child takes place in secure and appropriate
circumstances, with properly trained and qualified escorts, if used, and, if possible, in the company of the adoptive parent(s).
96.51 (b) FAC informs the prospective adoptive parent(s) in the adoption services contract whether FAC will or will not provide any
post adoption services. FAC also informs the prospective adoptive parent(s) in the adoption services contract whether it will provide
services if an adoption is dissolved, and, if it indicates it will, it provides a plan describing the agency’s or person’s responsibilities.
96.51 (c) When post-adoption reports are required by the child’s country of origin; FAC includes a requirement for such reports in the
adoption services contract and makes good-faith efforts to encourage adoptive parent(s) to provide such reports.
96.51 (d) FAC does not return from the United States an adopted child whose adoption has been dissolved unless the Central
Authority of the country of origin and the Secretary have approved the return in writing.
Section 96.52 Performance of Convention Communication and Coordination Functions in Incoming Cases
96.52 (a) FAC keeps the central Authority of the Convention country and the Secretary informed as necessary about the adoption
process and the measures taken to complete it, as well as about the progress of the placement if a probationary period is required.
96.52 (b) FAC takes all appropriate measures, consistent with the procedures of the U.S. Central Authority and of the Convention
country, to: (1) transmit on a timely basis the home study to the Central Authority or other competent authority of the child’s country
of origin; (2) obtain the child background study, proof that the necessary consents to the child’s adoption have been obtained, and the
necessary determination that the prospective placement is in the child’s best interests, from the Central Authority or other competent
authority in the child’s country of origin; (3) provide confirmation that the prospective adoptive parent(s) agree to the adoption to the
Central Authority or other competent authority in the child’s country of origin; and (4) transmit the determination that the child is or
will be authorized to enter and reside permanently in the United States to the Central Authority or other competent authority in the
child’s country of origin.
96.52 (c) FAC take all necessary and appropriate measures, consistent with the procedures of the Convention country, to obtain
permission for the child to leave his or her country of origin and to enter and reside permanently in the United States.
96.52 (d) Where the transfer of the child does not take place, FAC returns the home study on the prospective adoptive parent(s)
and/or the child background study to the authorities that forwarded them.
96.52 (e) FAC takes all necessary and appropriate measures to perform any tasks in a Convention adoption case that the Secretary
identifies are required to comply with the Convention, the IAA, or any regulations implementing the IAA.
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33 Reasons To Choose Family Adoption Consultants
1. FAC is a full service, multiple program agency placing children from various countries - if
something happens in one, there are others available.
2. FAC Has received COA HAGUE ACCREDIDATION as of 2/29/08.
3. If you call us during business hours, a REAL LIVE PERSON will answer the phone and there is
always someone on call for emergencies.
4. FAC is experienced. We have been licensed for over 25 years. Most of our administrative staff has
a minimum of 25 years experience in adoption. Our social work staff average more than 7 years
with FAC and 80% have a Master’s of Social Work degree. The Administrative Assistants average
11.5 years with FAC.
5. We work in partnership with our adoptive families, assisting them from start to finish and
providing post adoption services & support.
6. Our focus is on children throughout the world who need families.
7. Our goal is to help families (singles and couples) to adopt - whatever it takes.
8. Our mission is to provide adoption opportunities for children and families.
9. We have made over 4,500 successful placements since 1982.
10. Our #1 source of new families is through referrals from our adoptive parents and over 33% of our
families adopt more than once through FAC.
11. We are a non-profit, non-sectarian agency licensed by the states of Michigan and Ohio.
12. We are recognized by and maintain good working relationships with foreign agencies, U.S.
Citizen’s & Immigration Service, state courts, and state agencies involved in adoption.
13. We are members of respected professional organizations - North American Council on Adoptable
Children and the Joint Council on International Children’s Services, etc.
14. We are experts in all areas of adoption.
15. Three offices allow for maximum assistance to families.
16. We provide comprehensive written information on all aspects of adoption.
17. Our website is designed to provide you with up to date information and answers to your
questions, not flashy graphics and static content.
18. We communicate what families need to hear - not what they may want to hear. We are open
honest communicators & share all information with families
19. We offer clear breakdowns of adoption program costs. There are no hidden agency costs.
20. Compare – our fees are competitive. You’ll value our clear break down of fees and costs.
21. We’re close to home! We focus on placing children in Michigan & Ohio, and adoption specialists
are located throughout each state. We work with families in other states through licensed,
supervised, experienced agencies.
22. FAC has a very low rate of staff turnover. Our adoption specialists have very reasonable caseloads
with a very low staff turnover and families will have their adoption specialist’s home phone
numbers and email for direct contact.
23. FAC’s program administrators visit our program countries at least yearly to facilitate the excellent
relationship we have with them.
24. FAC staff personally visit the Korea Social Service nursery and meet with the children’s foster
parents to provide updates of children waiting to be placed.
25. We sponsor family oriented events throughout Michigan and Ohio.
26. We maintain close relationships and speak regularly at adoption support groups.
27. Our staff is experienced in all areas of adoption; international; special needs; foster care; inter-
state; and domestic infant.
28. Many members of our staff are adoption triad members. We’ve been where you are. Our staff
consists of adoptive parents, adoptees, adopted siblings, etc.
29. We are one of the few agencies able to display the Independent Charities of America logo.
30. FAC’s Executive Director is among only a handful of people in the state of Michigan that can say
they have been consistently working in inter-country adoption in this state for over 30 years.
31. FAC has overseas sponsorship programs which provide financial assistance to children in the
countries where we work, helping to improve the daily lives of children still in need.
32. FAC has many established partner agencies, including Children’s Home Society & Family Services
of Minnesota, which provides many more country program options for FAC families.
33. References are available upon request; we encourage you to talk to people that have been where
you are.
Updated 3/2010
Checklist For
Adoption ---
Am I Ready to
Adopt?
The following is a brief questionnaire to help you determine your feelings about adoption. The more
open you are, the more you will view it as a valid way to build your family. The more focused you are
on this unique relationship, the more likely you will be able to bond with your child.
Read the following statements and see which reflects your point of view.
¾ I will always think of adoption as second best.

Or
I can love someone else’s child as my own.
¾ I will never give up hope for a biological child.

Or
I am ready to focus only on adoption.
¾ I resent the adoption process as intrusive.

Or
I accept being evaluated as part of the process of protecting children
and of preparing myself to be the best parent I can be.
¾ I strongly value a child with my genes and bloodline.

Or
My goal is to raise and nurture a child.
¾ The idea of adoption makes me feel defeated.

Or
The idea of adoption makes me feel hopeful.
¾ I can’t understand giving away a child.

Or
I respect the circumstances and decision of others no matter how painful.
¾ I don’t want anyone knowing my child is adopted.

Or
I’m comfortable discussing adoption.
¾ I won't discuss my child’s birth family with him.

Or
I understand his interest in his background.
CONSIDERATIONS IN CHOOSING AN ADOPTION AGENCY
One of the most important considerations for families interested in adoption is the
agency they choose to help them through the process. Now more than ever there are
an increasing number of agencies and organizations competing for services to adoptive
applicants. The following are a few guidelines in making this all-important choice.
1. Research adoption alternatives to determine what direction you want to take

(i.e. foreign, domestic, public, and private). Resist the temptation to have an
adoption study done first with the intention of "shopping around" for a program.
There is no such thing as a generic adoption study.
2. Once you decide what kind of adoption you want to pursue, choose an agency,
specializing in this area. International adoption, for example, is a very complex
process, and it is wise to work with an agency well versed in this area. This
applies especially if you are working with an out of state agency or doing an
independent international adoption, and need a local agency for services. U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) must approve all international
adoptions, and could ultimately deny an adoptive petitioner if their adoption
does not meet requirements. If your agency is in another state, they are not
usually familiar with your states immigration pre-adoption requirements.
Evaluate the extent and quality of services the agency provides. Many foreign
countries require a dossier and a legalization/certification process. Will your
local agency assist you in this process? Post-placement supervision/reports are
often required. Will your agency provide this service? Are agency
representatives available to provide "technical assistance" throughout the entire
adoption process?
3. Choose an agency with a variety of program options. International adoption, in

particular, is a very volatile, ever changing process. Adoption programs in
various countries can open and close, sometimes without warning. If you should
be caught in this process, you may be able to "switch" to another
country/program, provided your agency has other options available.
4. Talk with as many families as you can who have adopted through the agency
you are considering. In particular, contact families who have recently adopted
from the same country/program that you are considering. Adoptive parent
support groups can be an excellent source of information in this regard. Be wary
of agencies reluctant to refer you to experienced families. Ask adoptive parents
to be specific about their experience with an agency. What did they like or not
like? Do keep in mind that individual personalities/needs can also affect each
family's opinion. Not every agency is a good "fit" for every family.
Page 1 of 2
5. Check with your local state licensing office to determine an agency's status and
history. How long has it been in operation? A long-term history and a proven
track record speak for itself.
6. Compare costs between agencies and programs. How much money is you
required to pay "up front"? Calculate total fees, as there can be hidden costs.
Are the fees refundable if the program changes? However, do not necessarily
choose the “cheapest" program. There is a lot of truth to the old saying, "You
get what you pay for," especially when considering fees for adoption services. A
thorough, comprehensive adoption study should meet all state licensing,
immigration, and international country guidelines, while at the same time
prepare you for all of the issues you will face in the future as adoptive parents of
a child of another race/culture.
7. Does the agency belong to professional organizations with standards of practice

such as the Joint Council on International Children’s Services?
http://www.jcics.org
8. Is there a person answering the phone when you call, or do you always get an
answering machine? Can you communicate via e-mail and expect a prompt
reply? Will you need to travel for meetings with the agency or adoption
specialist?
9. If it sounds "too good to be true," it probably is. With international adoption

agencies competing for a limited number of available families, many offer
promises they won't be able to keep. Reputable agencies prepare families for
possible risks and unknowns, including time delays and the possibility of
undiagnosed medical needs. No agency can ever guarantee that a healthy child
will be placed with you, or guarantee very specific times for travel or placement.
The agency you chose should deliver services that are competent and thorough, honest
and reliable. At times, however, information may not be exactly what a parent waiting
to adopt wants to hear. Adoption professionals don't always have all the answers,
especially in a system as unpredictable as adoption. Choose an agency that you trust,
and together you will survive and learn from the adoption experience - and probably
enjoy it too!
Updated 8/08
Page 2 of 2
QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS CONSIDERING TRANSRACIAL
ADOPTION
Transracial adoption is not for every family, just as adoption is not for every family. Some
very nice people are not necessarily good parents at all. Many good parents cannot really
accept someone else's child and love him as their own. Many adoptive parents are
excellent parents to a child of their own race, but are not cut out to be good parents to a
child of another race or background. It takes parents with certain sensitivity and
understanding to parent a child of a different race in our race-conscious society.
ADOPTING A CHILD OF A DIFFERENT RACE
From the parents' point of view:

Your family will now be interracial for generations. It is not just a question of an appealing
little baby. How do you think and feel about interracial marriage? How does your family
think and feel when people assume that you are married to an Asian, Hispanic, or Black?
How do you think and feel about getting some public attention - positive and negative
stares/comments? A possible problem could be that the adopted child gets too much
attention and others in the family tend to get "left out."
What are your thoughts about race? What characteristics do you think people of other
races have? Do you expect your child to have them? How do you raise a child of a
different race in an American, Caucasian, or Black family? Do you raise him to have the
same identity as you or your biological children? Do you help him develop his own
identity? Should he have a foreign name? What relationship will his name have to his
sense of “Who am I?” Imagine a child you know and love being sent to a foreign country
to be adopted. How would you want him to be raised? As an American in a foreign
country, or as a native in that country? You don't know this from your experience, so
you'll have to find out how to teach yourself to become sensitive to your child's world.
Discrimination against Asians, Indians, and Latin-Americans is subtler than against Blacks;
therefore it is less obvious to a Caucasian or Black, and will require more sensitivity. Non-
infant children (including Caucasian children) are treated differently simply BECAUSE they
are adopted and are therefore EXPECTED to have problems.
From the child's point of view:

Pre-School years: The people he loves best look different from him. It will be natural for
him to want to resemble those he loves, or else understand why he looks different, and
learn that difference is not a bad thing.
Latency stage: The child will need help in understanding his heritage and background so
he can explain and feel comfortable about his status with his friends. He needs to be able
to answer the question from other children: "What are you?"
Teenage years: This is the time he tries to figure out “Who am I?” Curiosity about his
Page 1 of 2
biological parents or background may become stronger. Questions about dating arise, and
you should look to your community. Try to guess how many of your friends and neighbors
would wholeheartedly accept their child dating yours? How would you feel if your child
developed a special interest in his native country, and identified himself as a foreigner,
involved himself with a group of Asian, Indian, or Latin America teens, wanted to visit his
native land? Hopefully, you would have kept alive his interests in and knowledge of his
original country's culture and progress and feel not in the least threatened by his wanting
to identify himself with such others.
Moving into Adulthood: "Who will I marry?" is rather a different question from "Who
will I date?” Do you think that your child will marry a Caucasian, an Asian, a Latin
American, Indian, or a Black? Would you recommend for or against an interracial marriage
for your child?
SUMMARY
In addition to your qualities, abilities, thoughts, and feelings as parents, it is important for
you to understand your motivation for this kind of adoption. Do you feel you are doing a
good deed for a poor, homeless child? Do you feel a baby (child) will save your marriage?
Are you adopting because your spouse wants to? Are you "settling" for a foreign born
child because you can't get a domestic baby? Do you feel that you'd be acquiring a status
symbol, a conversation piece? In her book, Adoption Advisor, (Information House,
Hawthorn Books, 1975), Joan McNamara, on page 41, bluntly and accurately remarks,
"You are adopting a child, not a tropical house-plant to put in the living room." It is
important that you have an attitude of respect for the child's country and culture. If you
feel your own values and culture are superior to that of your child, or if you feel that your
primary orientation is to help this child become absorbed into your culture at the expense
of his own, you might find transracial and transcultural adoption difficult for both you and
your child. It is important to keep in mind that the children are removed from their own
country ONLY because they essentially have no future in that country, and no possibility of
being cared for by permanent, nurturing parents, either by adoption within that country, or
by strong long-term foster care. Their only alternative to intercountry adoption would be
institutionalization until they reach their majority.
Reprinted by FAC with modifications from International Concerns Committee for Children
Newsletter.
Updated 8/08
Page 2 of 2
ADOPTIVE PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS - OHIO
NORTHEAST OHIO SOUTHEAST OHIO

ADOPTIVE FAMILIES SUPPORT ASSOCIATION: DAYTON AREA KOREAN FAMILIES
P.O. Box 29337 Nancy Kim: (937) 431-8034
Parma, Ohio 44129-4638 nancymariekim@yahoo.com
(216) 419-4638
www.afsaohio.org
afsa@ameritech.net
CENTRAL OHIO
ADOPTION NETWORK:
Cleveland, Ohio
ADOPTIVE FAMILES OF COLUMBUS AREA
(216) 325-1000
Jennifer McCauley: (614) 890-0559
www.adoptionnetwork.org
Becky Hetteburg: (614) 326-0630
WOVEN TOGETHER
NEW ROOTS, INC.
Green, Ohio
82 E. 16th Ave. Columbus, OH 43201
nrluca01@yahoo.com
Patty Gapsch: (614) 470-0846
Kelsey Lucardie: (330) 673-2114
OUR KIDS
ADOPTION FAMILY CIRCLE
Polly Green: (614) 873-8814
Wooster, Ohio
Anita Stenglein: (330) 263-9281
CENTRAL OHIO ADOPTION GROUP (Cambridge)
steng5@sssnet.com
Candy and Jim Barr: (614) 439-5634
Victoria Birk: (330) 262-7019
FAMILES BLESSED BY ADOPTION(Columbus-South)
CONCERN FOR CHILDREN
Cheryl Young: (740) 474-2098
Brooklyn, Ohio
Cheryl Rader: (740) 286-4464
www.concernforchildren.org
email: info@concernforchildren.org
MOMS WITH ASIAN KIDS (MAK)Richland County
330-405-1537
(419) 945-2583 (419) 462-5944
TOGETHER FOREVER FAMILIES (N.E. OH)
Rosie Daniels: (330) 467-2970 CHINA GROUPS
Pam Schnellinger: (440) 542-2970
Greater Cleveland Families with Children from China (FCC)
FAMILY BUILDERS (Medina County) www.cleveland-fcc.org
Linda Chasteen: (330) 667-9112 email: greater_cleveland_FCC@yahoo.com
Jenny Fike: (330) 667-2314
Central Ohio Families with Children from China
ADOPTIVE FAMILY FELLOWSHIP www.centralohiofcc.org
Wadsworth, Ohio Email: grig@insight.rr.com
Elizabeth Nicholson: (330) 335-3057
Email: enichols@neo.rr.com Akron/Canton Families with Children from China
Kelly Shook
Email: klshook@roadrunner.com
NORTHWEST OHIO
Greater Cincinnati Families with Children from China:
RAINBOW FAMILIES (Toledo Area)
http://www.fcc-cincinnati.org
Erick and Nancy Horn: (419) 354-8012
Dawn Wright: (567) 202-4184
FOREVER FAMILIES OF NORTHWEST OHIO

(Napoleon/Defiance Area)
Cheryl Nickles: (419) 264-0629
Tracy Wachtman: (419) 497-5107
CHINA CULTURE CLUB (Findlay Area)

Laura DeMuth: (419) 264-0629
Public/Office Docs/dmt
Updated 9/08
OVER
ADOPTIVE PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS - OHIO
GUATEMALA GROUPS
Central Ohio Families with Latin American Children:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/coflac
Friends through Guatemalan Adoption

Aimee – mazk99@aol.com (Cincinnati Area)
Guatemalan Adoptive Families in Cleveland

GuatemalanAdoptiveFamiliesinCleveland-Yahoo Groups
Karla DeLisio (440) 255-6933
Northwest Ohio Guatemalan Families

Maddie1992@aol.com
RUSSIAN/UKRANIAN GROUPS
Families for Russian/Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA)
http://www.frua.org/oh
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FRUA-Ohio Announcements/
Public/Office Docs/dmt
Updated 9/08
OVER
HELP WITH ADOPTION
EXPENSES
FAMILY ADOPTION CONSULTANTS FEE REDUCTION
9 Repeat adoption: $200 from homestudy fee for each family who has previously adopted through FAC
9 Adopting a child with significant Special Needs from Korea, on a case by case basis.
9 Adopting sibling groups of two or more children from the Philippines.
Adoption Financial Aid Chart

This is not an exhaustive list; FAC does not recommend any one particular resource. Please not that there may be a
charge or donation associated with submitting an application.
Name of Funding Source Description Contact Information
JSW Adoption Foundation Grants of $2,000 or more awarded 101 E Pier St., 1st Floor
Gift of Adoption Fund quarterly on the basis of need. Port Washington WI 53074
www.jsw-adoption.org Preference given to childless couples PH: 262-268-1386
www.giftofadoption.org with an income under $35,000. One PH: 877-905-2367
grant awarded quarterly. Average FX: 262-268-1387
info@giftofadoption.org grand amount is $3,000, but can go as
high as $5,000.
Ours By Grace Offers several different fundraising 225 N Third St.
www.oursbygrace.com events to raise money to distribute as Brighton MI 48116
kimgreen@oursbygrace.com grants to families needing financial PH: 810-844-0278
assistance during their adoption
process. All grants will be given
through the adoptive parent’s attorney
agency, to ensure the proper family
gets the funds based on the
information received from the attorney
or agency.
Shaohannah’s Hope Steve Curtis Chapman’s organization PO Box 647
www.shaohannahshope.org that provides grants to reduce financial Franklin TN 37065
barriers to adoption. PH: 615-550-5600
FX: 615-595-0850
National Adoption Foundation Awards grants four times a year and 100 Mill Plain Rd
www.nafadopt.org has no income requirements. The Danbury CT 06811
grants range in amount from $500 - PH: 203-791-3801
Loan program also: $2,500 depending on needs the family PH: 888-627-8767
www.nafadopt.org/loanprograms has and the circumstances surrounding
the adoption.
God’s Grace Adoption Ministry A non-profit organization that helps PO Box 4
www.ggam.org Christian families that are married and Modesto CA 95353
with an income less than $60,000. PH: 209-572-4539
Assistance is available in the form of
adoption grants or assistance in
adoption fundraising. Typical grant
amounts range from $1,000 - $4,000,
with an average of about $2,000.
Updated 3/2010 1
HelpUsAdopt.org Must be a U.S. citizen residing in the PO Box 20435
www.helpusadopt.org U.S. with an approved home study to New York NY 10021
info@helpusadopt.org apply but priority will be given to PH: 917-684-5484
couples without children. Grant FX: 253-399-6780
amounts are from $500 - $1,500
depending on the individual situation.
A Child Waits This organization offers low interest 1136 Barker Rd
www.achildwaits.org adoption loans and adoption grants for Pittsfield MA 01201
cnelson@achildwaits.org families who have exhausted other PH: 866-999-2445
financial options. For International FX: 518-794-6243
Adoptions only. Grants are awarded
for the adoption of older or special
needs children (over age 5 or have
medical/developmental needs that
make them harder to place). Grant
amounts are up to $5,000.
Also offer low interest adoption loans
up to $10,000 for one child.
Helping Kids Cope Helping Kids cope helps adoptive
www.helpingkidscope.com parents who are home study ready to
defray the cost of the adoption
services. They are aware that there
are many families that can afford all
the adoption fees, but if they can help
with some of those fees, then the
family’s finances could go toward that
child’s future.
His Kids Too! Provides financial assistance to those 219 Delta Ct. Ste. B
www.hiskidstoo.org adopting internationally that are U.S. Tallahassee FL 32303
citizens adopting outside of the U.S. PH: 850-524-KIDS
Grants are paid directly to the licensed
adoption agency.
China Care Foundation Provides financial aid to families, who PO Box 607
www.chinacare.org qualify by adopting special needs or Westport CT 06881
info@chinacare.org older children. This is in the form of a 203-227-3655
grant, a low-interest loan, or a
combination of both. The amount
awarded is based on family finances
and need, although it usually falls in
the $2,000 - $4,000 range.
The LYDIA Fund For Christian, married couples who are Lydia Fund
www.lydiafund.org adopting institutionalized children c/o Terry and Deb Bartlett
lydiafund@usfamily.net internationally through a licensed 3948 87th Ave NE
agency. Grants are for overseas fee/ Circle Pines MN 55014-4058
expenses. PH: 763-784-4578
Cadman Foundation Adoption assistance grants for married 413 Shellbourne Dr., Ste. 100
www.cadmanfoundation.org Christian couples adopting a special Rochester Hills MI 48309
julie@cadmanfoundation.org needs child. PH: 248-370-8040
A Child’s Desire Grants for hard to place children, 1735 ½ Washington St

www.achildsdesire.org special needs, and children over the Natchitoches LA 71457
t.sturman@suddenlink.net age of 8 PH: 318-354-1229
grants@achildsdesire.org FX: 318-354-9990
Updated 3/2010 2
Founding Family Grants for adopting international and Mailing address:
www.foundingfamily.org domestic 1004 Rodney Dr
Nashville TN 37205-1018
Office:
4525 Harding Rd., Ste. 316
Nashville TN 37205-2119
PH: 615-620-4372
FX: 508-448-8925
Toll Free: 866-204-1660
Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries Helps families raise finances through 1417 N Lincoln St
www.kingdomkidsadoption.org their adoption fundraising/grant Spokane WA 99201
ministry@kingdomkidsadoption.org program. PH: 509-465-3520
donnab@kingdomkidsadoption.org FX: 509-465-5527
Promise the Children Single and married families adopting 11939 Manchester Rd. Ste. 136
www.promisethe children.org internationally St. Louis MO 63131
ptcstaff@swbell.net
Sea of Faces Foundation Grants to married Christian families 6920-B Bradlick Shopping Center #200
www.seaoffaces.org adopting from developing countries. Annandale VA 22003
director@seaoffaces.org Grant amounts range from $1,000 -
$3,000.
LOANS:
The National Adoption Foundation Loan Program
The objective of the National Adoption Foundation is to provide financial assistance for adoption expenses to qualified
prospective adoptive parents and the growing of families in America. The Foundation’s current programs include grants,
unsecured loans and home equity loans through MBNA AMERICA to assist in adopting a child. For more information about an
MBNA Home Equity Line of Credit or loan, contact your MBNA representative today by calling Toll-free 1-800-841-1982 (use
code AAAP)
100 Mill Plain Road PH: 203-791-3811 (Grants)
Danbury CT 06811 PH: 800-626-2760 (unsecured loans)
http://www.nafadopt.org PH: 800-841-1982 (secured loans)
FX: 203-791-3801
First Union Bank

502 Hungerford Dr. PH: (888) 314-KIDS
Rockville, MD 20850 Contact: Norm Hecht
Nations Bank PH: (800) 448-7061
CHASE Bank PH: (866) 345-7687

Home Equity line of credit www.chase.com/NewAdditions
A Child Waits Foundation

Provides low-interest loans up to $7,000 for five years at 7 percent. The foundation also has a grant that matches all monies
repaid to the fund. Preference is given to families that have exhausted all other financial resources.
1136 Barker Rd. Unit 12 PH: 413-499-3992
Pittsfield, MA 01201 FX: 413-499-2338
http://www.achildwaits.org E-mail: achildwaits@poboxes.com
Updated 3/2010 3
Waiting Child Loan Fund
Offers no-interest loans up to $5,000, repayable over three years for families adopting through WACAP.
PO Box 88948 PH: 206-575-4550
Seattle, WA 98138 E-mail: waitingchildrenadoption@WACAP.org
http://wacap.org
HFLA – Hebrew Free Loan Association

Interest-free loans are available to Jewish adults who wish to adopt children internationally or domestically.
San Francisco Office PH: 415-546-9902
131 Steuart St. Suite 425 FX: 415-546-7479
San Francisco, CA 94105 E-mail: info@hflasf.org
http://www.hflasf.org
AdoptionFinancing.com
AdoptionFianncing.com is now offering a brand new financing program for adoption. Fill out the application at
AdoptionFinancing.com and they will work with their network of more than 30 lenders to find the right financing for your
needs.
www.adoptionfinancing.com
OTHER RESOURCES & OPTIONS AVAILABLE:

Direct reimbursement from your employer.
Contact your human resources department for information about available benefits.
Military Subsidies
Military Adoption Reimbursement Program. A one-time subsidy program for full-time military personnel. Couples or singles can
receive up to $2,000 reimbursement on adoption expenses for one child or $5,000 for siblings. Eligible personnel complete DD
Form 2673 (Reimbursement for Adoption Expenses). See Defense Finances and Accounting Service Instruction 1341.
Adoption Exchange Association PH: 303-333-0845
http://www.adoptionfunding.com/adoptionresources/military.html
State Tax Credits & Subsidies for Special Needs Children

Contact Family Adoption Consultants PH: (269) 343-3316 Michigan
PH: (330) 468-0673 Ohio
Adoption Tax Credit
“Tax Benefits for Adoption” PH: (800) 829-3676
IRS Publication #968
www.irs.ustreas.gov
“How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option”

Comprehensive booklet published by the National Endowment for Financial Education. Available free-of-charge from the:
Consumer Information Center PH: (719) 948-4000
Pueblo, CO 81009
Ask for Item # 602-E
Booklet also available at www.nefe.org
Child Adoption Funds

A site with information on creating a tax-exempt entity, which can reduce your family’s adoption expenses by 15-40%. This
can provide tax deductions for you, your family, and friends. www.childadoptionfunds.org
Updated 3/2010 4
United Way International
Provides travel cost assistance for adopted children needing immediate medical attention. Applications are selectively
considered and must be supported with a doctor’s statement.
United Way International
Attn: Melissa Guerra PH: (703) 519-0092
701 N. Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
SOME ADDITIONAL WEBSITES TO CHECK OUT:

www.adoptionbenefits.com
www.adoptiontaxcredit.com
www.adoptionlearningpartners.com
RAISING MONEY THROUGH OTHER RESOURCES:

Look into home equity loans or refinance
Borrow from family members
Borrow from 401K
Borrow from a life insurance policy
Raise money through church and community support
Car washes, yard sales, bake sales, collections through church or job
Contact airlines requesting a reduced rate or waiver of fees to get your child
Check with hotels for special adoption rates
Tax credit of up to $13,170 for adopting a child

You qualify for the adoption tax credit if you adopted a child and paid out-of-pocket expenses relating to the adoption. The
adoption credit is calculated on Form 8839 Qualified Adoption Expenses (PDF). You may claim an adoption credit of up to
$13,170 per eligible child.
The Adoption Tax Credit which was scheduled to expire in 2010 was extended for one year (through
12/31/2011). The highlights of the ATC are:
¾ The maximum credit was increased from $12,150 to $13, 170
¾ The ATC is no retroactive to January 1, 2009. This represents a potential increase of $1,000 for
adoptive families
¾ The ATC was made refundable. If a family has no tax liability, the IRS will refund the amount due.
The credit is reduced based on your modified adjusted gross income. The IRS provides a worksheet for figuring your modified
adjusted gross income for the adoption credit in the Instructions for Line 8 of Form 8839. Any income excluded from tax using
the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion must be added back for the purposes of determining the phase-out range for the
adoption credit.
Adoption Tax Credit Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the adoption credit, you must:

• Adopt an eligible child, and
• Pay qualified adoption expenses out of your own pocket.
Eligible Children include:

• any child age 17 or younger, or
• a child of any age who is a US citizen or resident alien and who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for
himself or herself.
Updated 3/2010 5
Qualified Adoption Expenses are calculated by:
• Adding up all the expenses related to the adoption,
• Subtracting any amounts reimbursed or paid for by your employer, government agency, or other organization.
Adoption expenses include any and all costs directly relating to your adoption and that are reasonable and necessary for your
adoption. Expenses include adoption fees, legal fees, court costs, and travel expenses.
Taxpayers who adopt a special needs child can claim the full amount of the adoption credit without regard to the actual
expenses paid in the year the adoption becomes final.
Eligible expenses must be "directly related" to the adoption of an eligible child. This may include adoption fees, legal fees, and
court costs. Expenses for a failed adoption might qualify for the credit if followed by a successful adoption, but the two
adoption efforts would be considered as one adoption and subject to the dollar limit per eligible child. The editors of JK
Lasser's Your Income Tax advise: "Do not include expenses paid or reimbursed by your employer or any other person or
organization. You may not claim a credit for the costs of a surrogate parenting arrangement or for adopting your spouse's
child." (Page 469)
When to Claim the Adoption Credit

What year you can claim the adoption credit depends on when the adoption was finalized and whether the adopted child is a
US citizen, resident alien or foreign national.
If the child is a US citizen or resident alien, then you take the adoption credit in the following order:
• for expenses paid before the adoption is final, you take the adoption credit in the year after your expenses were paid,
• for expenses paid in the same year that the adoption is final, you take the adoption credit in the same year, and
• for expenses paid in the year after the adoption is final, you take the adoption credit in the year the expenses were
paid.
For example, you adopted a child in 2004, but you paid adoption expenses in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Your 2003 expenses are
taken on your 2004 tax return (they must be delayed by one year because the adoption was not final). Your 2004 expenses
are taken on your 2004 tax return (because they occurred in the same year as the adoption became final). You take your 2005
expenses on your 2005 tax return. In this example, your 2004 adoption expenses include both your 2003 and your 2004
expenses.
If the child is a foreign national, then you take the adoption credit only in the year when the adoption becomes final. Any
expenses paid in the year after the adoption is finalized, you can take a credit for those expenses in the year that you paid
them.
If your adopted child does not yet have a Social Security Number, you must apply for an Adoption Tax ID Number (ATIN) in
order for you to begin claiming your adopted child as a dependent. The IRS provides comprehensive information on the
Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number.
Dollar Limitations for the Adoption Credit

The maximum dollar amount you can claim for the adoption tax credit is limited by actual expenses you paid, by the phase out
range for income, and by the interaction of the adoption credit with the foreign tax credit and the alternative minimum tax.
For 2006, the adoption credit can offset both the regular tax and the alternative minimum tax (AMT). However, the regular tax
liability must first be reduced by any foreign tax credit. For 2007, the adoption credit will not offset AMT (unless Congress
changes the tax laws).
Adoption Tax Credit Resources

• Internal Revenue Code Section 23 (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School)
• Instructions for Form 8839 (from the IRS)
• Form 8839 (PDF from the IRS)
• Adoption Credit (Tax Topic 607 from the IRS)
• IRS Audit Guidelines and Required Documentation (from the Internal Revenue Manual)
Thank you to About.com and William Perez for the use of this article
Updated 3/2010 6
Joint Council
On international children’s services
7 Cheverly Circle, Cheverly, MD 20785-3040 * (301) 322-1906 * FAX (301) 322-3425 * Website: www.jcics.org
Standards of Practice
Joint Council Member Agencies will be licensed child placement agencies who currently qualify as
nonprofit organizations under the guidelines of Section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Revised April 2006

Glossary:
• Direct Service Provider - individual or agency providing education, home study, and/or post
placement services.
• Placing Agency – organization that works with sending country institution/individual that has
custody of child, identifies child who is free for adoption and makes referral to family eligible
for placement of such child.
JCICS member agencies base their practice on the understanding that children need permanent,
loving families in order to reach their full potential, and that children deprived of this care suffer
effects which may last a lifetime. JCICS agencies believe that when there is no family in the child’s
country able to care for the child permanently and without undue delay, then international adoption
can be an excellent option. JCICS agencies view international adoption as a child welfare service that
focuses on the best interests of the child.
JCICS member agencies follow a professional standard of practice that has as its core values
integrity, honesty, transparency, and professional service delivery. JCICS subscribes to the following
tenets:
• Member agencies annually renew their commitment to adhere to the JCICS Standards of
Practice.
• Failure to comply with the Standards may result in disciplinary action taken within the JCICS
association pursuant to the JCICS Grievance Process and Disciplinary Policy.
• These Standards address what agencies shall do to adhere to ethical and professional
practices.
Professional Conduct
Member agencies will:
• Be knowledgeable of and adhere to relevant laws and regulations and policies pertaining to
adoption-related services provided by the member agency.
Page 1 of 6
• Refrain from posting photos of children on web sites if prohibited by the sending country.
Children shall be placed on hold only for families who have a valid Home Study. All efforts shall
be made to protect the privacy of listed children.
• Develop written policies and procedures that recognize and respect the rights of families and
children, such as response times, support, methods of communication, and payment practices.
• Encourage the continuing education and professional development of agency staff that shall
include training in ethics.
• Encourage staff participation and leadership in professional organizations.
• Provide a written grievance policy to clients and staff.
• Maintain records that include case notes, written information given to families about the
agency policies, procedures, fees, and current projected costs, as well as characteristics of
children eligible for placement.
• Communicate and attempt to resolve professional conduct or practice matters in writing with
other agencies or individuals. Should such issues not be resolved in this way, member
agencies use the JCICS grievance and Disciplinary Policy.
• Treat all case records as confidential material. Release of such information shall be done only
with informed written consent of the person who information will be released (or the parent or
legal guardian of such person who is unable to provide informed consent).
Financial
Member Agencies will:
Provide to all applicants, prior to the acceptance of any fees, 1) a written schedule of current
estimated fees and expenses, 2) a statement on when and how the fees and expenses must be paid,
and 3) an explanation of the circumstances under which fees or expenses may be charged,
increased, waived, reduced, or refunded. In addition it shall include a statement on the costs beyond
their control, including, but not limited to: immigration fees, travel expenses, and legal fees for
adoption or re-adoption in the U.S.
Prohibit the use of payments or other material transactions meant to 1) induce or encourage any
parent or relative to place a child for adoption, 2) induce or encourage any person or entity with
jurisdiction over the child to release a child for adoption, or 3) influence a decision to place any child
with a particular person or entity over another entity.
Prohibit payments to any international staff or facilitators solely on a contingency basis (such as a
minimum number of placements by facilitators) in an effort to curb financial incentive or profiteering
as motivation for adoptive placements. Payment for child placement services shall be based on fee
for service model based on the average estimated amount of time, and other costs related to that
placement and/or other related child welfare services.
Provide and Annual Report or most recent form 990 or 990 EX to clients upon request.
Page 2 of 6
Acquire professional liability insurance and/or establish an arbitration or mediation process.
Education/Preparation/Home
Provide their clients with complete and current information about policies and procedures related to
the referral and placement of children and post placement requirements.
Apprise clients in writing of the services and information they provide.
Provide clients with full and accurate information about their programs before submission of a formal
application, including the projected waiting times, the costs, risks, and uncertainties inherent in
international adoption.
Disclose to clients in writing the nature of their association with 1) a separate home study/post
placement provider (Direct Service Provider), 2) any placement provider the clients might select, or
3) a foreign or domestic entity placing children in the client’s selected program.
If acting as the placing agency, be in compliance with U.S. and International adoption regulations, as
well as eligibility requirements of the clients selected country/program.
Ensure that each new adopting parent receives a minimum of 10 hours of pre-adoption education
(either through the agency or through other professionals or entities) which goes beyond that
provided during the home study but not including meeting with the agency/social workers in
preparation for the home study. The pre-adoption education will include the legal, medical,
emotional, institution, psychosocial, attachment, and cultural issues that affect all adoptions.
Thoroughly assess the suitability and eligibility of prospective parents with the understanding that
some clients may not be appropriate for an international adoption, for a particular international
country program, or for the challenges inherent in the adoption of children with special needs. Based
on this assessment, the home study document shall include a recommendation as to the nationality,
age range, medical condition, and special circumstances of the child/children to be placed.
Provide accurate information about adoptive parents to other placement agencies or entities and to
U.S. government officials and the clients’ selected country/program. Confidentiality practices must be
adhered to, and agreements/releases of information must be signed by the clients as appropriate.
Placement
We begin with the premise that any international adoption must be in the best interest of the child.
Siblings should be placed together when in the best interest of all children concerned. When possible,
if member agencies and/or their representatives are involved in the intake of children, should ensure
that qualified staff is available to assess such cases for family preservation and/or domestic adoption
if requested by the child welfare officials in the country of origin.
Page 3 of 6
Adhere to the adoption rules of sending countries including the use of publications and the Internet
to promote the placement of children.
Make a good faith effort to work with reputable, ethical organizations and individuals.
Placing Agencies shall keep abreast of travel advisories or warnings and changes in the child welfare
and international adoption laws that affect international adoptions. Should such changes occur that
impact current or future international adoptions, the agency will inform their clients of these changes
as expeditiously as possible? In addition, member agencies should encourage families to visit the
State Department Website, to monitor travel advisories, and to check medical care and travel safety
information.
Allow clients a reasonable period of time to make their decision, and provide support in whatever
decision they make.
Strongly encourage families to seek professional help in evaluating child referral information, and
provide listings of resources, including medical professionals who specialize in international adoption.
Maintain permanent records of all information received about the children placed through the agency.
Placing Agency will provide adopting parents who are making required overseas trips assistance with:
• Receiving the child

• Attending the meetings and hearings to complete the adoption
• Necessary paperwork to return to the United States with their child
• Telephone contact numbers of the nearest U.S. Consulate
• 24 hour (or on-call) non-medical emergency contact telephone number(s)
Ensure that systems are established in the U.S. between Direct Service Provider and the Placing
Agency regarding the fulfillment of post placement reporting requirements of sending and receiving
countries. The Placing Agency shall inform adoptive parents of such post placement reporting
requirements prior to departure or before the child’s arrival in the U.S.
Encourage families to learn about and celebrate their child’s cultural heritage by providing or
referring families to relevant resources.
Provide information about local and national services, educational opportunities, and support to
adoptive families as part of post adoption services.
Provide or refer clients to counseling, respite, or other therapeutic services in the event of placement
issues, potential disruption, or potential dissolution of the adoption.
Post Adoption
Member Direct Service Providers and Placing agencies will designate in writing which agency will be
responsible for providing or arranging post adoption services. That agency will:
Page 4 of 6
Advise families to obtain a medical evaluation within 3-4 weeks of arrival as advised by International
Medical Professionals.
Follow up with their clients to ensure that they have access to information on the laws and
regulations of the foreign country and the United States concerning the finalization process.
Make an effort to see that the post placement reporting requirements of the sending and receiving
countries are completed. Placing Agency shall provide written post placement reports, as allowed by
law, in the fulfillment of the agreements made with foreign countries.
Encourage families to learn and celebrate their child’s cultural heritage by providing or referring
families to resources in this regard.
Provide ongoing post adoption services and information about local and national services, educational
opportunities and support to adoptive families.
Provide to adoptive parents all additional documentation about a child given to the placing agency
after placement, such as additional siblings eligible for adoption, medical, social, or family history.
Attempt to find answers in response to parents’ questions within a reasonable period of time.
If requested, make a good faith effort to provide adoptive parents information on any known
resources or legal procedures that my assist them in the search for birth families in a foreign country.
Maintain written family crisis intervention procedures with the other agency on managing family
adjustment crisis and recommendations for appropriate professional counseling options.
Should a family not complete the adoption, and counseling has not succeeded in resolving the crisis,
and the placement is disrupting, the Placing Agency and Direct Service Provider shall act promptly
and in accord with any applicable legal requirements to 1) remove the child from the pre-adoptive
home, 2) assume custody of the child, and 3) arrange another placement of the child.
If the adoption has already been finalized, the Placing Agency shall offer to provide services for the
re-placement of the child.
Interagency Relationships
Member agencies will work collaboratively to share information about such issues as changes in
adoption procedures in the U.S. and abroad, effective professional practices, new research,
community resources, and opportunities for additional support to child welfare sectors of sending
countries.
The responsibilities of each collaborating agency will be delineated in a written service agreement
that shall include statements on establishing lines of communication, disclosure of information on
children, notification of the child’s arrival, post placement visit schedule, expectations for the post
placement reports and family crisis intervention procedures. (See Post Adoption)
Page 5 of 6
The Placing Agency shall involve the Direct Service Provider or independent social worker, where
allowed by law, in the referral process. Minimally, they should be informed of the referral and receive
the child referral information at the same time it is sent to the adoptive parents. Doing so allows the
Direct Service Provider both to counsel the prospective adoptive parents in their decision-making
process and to provide appropriate post placement services.
Member agencies will respect the communication and marketing boundaries established with each
agency’s client relationships. Agencies shall not actively recruit clients from another agency to their
own adoption programs. The Placing Agency shall provide country specific information, and the Direct
Service Provider shall encourage their clients to obtain that information directly from the Placing
Agency.
Humanitarian Aid
Support overseas child welfare services that make a positive impact on the welfare of children and
families.
Ensure that any humanitarian aid from prospective adoptive families does not create a conflict of
interest or a situation in which preferential treatment is given to any family, agency, facilitator, or
orphanage.
Encourage Joint Council member agencies to work cooperatively to support and promote
humanitarian aid projects that benefit children and families.
Updated 8/08
Page 6 of 6
RECOMMENDED ADOPTION BOOKS
Adoption Parenting: Creating a Toolbox, Building Connections – (2006) over 150

articles edited by Jean MacLeod & Sheena Macrae, PhD
Adoption Life Book: A Bridge to Your Child’s Beginnings – (Second Edition 2004) tool for
international adoptions, by Cindy Probst, Med, MSSW, LCSW.
Beyond Good Intentions: A Mother Reflects on Raising Internationally Adopted

Children – (2005) by Cheri Register an adoptive mom
Being Adopted: The lifelong Search for Self – (1993) academic case studies by David
Brodzinsky, PhD & Schechter & Marantz.
Parenting Your Internationally Adoptive Child: From Your First Hours Together
Through the Teen Years – (2008) excellent pro-active parenting handbook by adoptive
parent and psychotherapist, Patty Cogen, M.A., Ed D.
Adopting After Infertility – by Patricia Irwin Johnston
Are Those Kids Yours? American Families With Children Adopted From Other
Countries –
by Cheri Register
Adopting On Your Own, the Complete Guide to Adopting as a Single – by Lee Varon
The Lost Daughters of China: Abandoned Girls, Their Journey to America, and the
Search for a Missing Past – by Karin Evans
Attaching to Adoption: Practical Tools for Today’s Parents – by Deborah Gray
Raising Adopted Children – by Lois Ruskai Melina
Inside Transracial Adoption – by Gail Steinberg and Beth Hall
Dim Sum, Bagels and Grits: A Sourcebook for Multicultural Families – by Myra
Alperson
Parenting the Hurt Child: Helping Adoptive Families Heal and Grow – by Gregory
Keck, Ph.D., and Regina Kupecky, L.S.W.
Toddler Adoption: The Weaver’s Craft – by Mary Hopkins Best
Page 1 of 4
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Parents Knew – by Sherrie Eldridge
Telling the Truth to Your Adopted or Foster Child: Making Sense of the Past – by
Jayne Schooler
Real Parents, Real Children: Parenting the Adopted Child –

by Holly Van Gulden and Lisa M. Bartels-Rabb
Perspectives on a Grafted Tree: Thoughts for Those Touched by Adoption –

edited by Patricia Irwin Johnston
Cross-Cultural Adoption – by Amy Coughlin and Caryn Abramowitz
A Passage to the Heart – Writings from Families with Children from China – edited by
Amy Klatzkin
I Wish for You a Beautiful Life – Letters from Korean Birth Mothers – edited by Sara
Dorow
Understanding My Child’s Korean Origins – by Hyun Sook Han
Secret Thoughts of an Adoptive Mother – by Debra Stewart Peterson
The Waiting Child: How the Faith and Love of One Orphan Saved the Life of Another
–
by Cindy Campnella
Updated 9/09/08
Page 2 of 4
RECOMMENDED CHILDREN’S ADOPTION BOOKS
Why I Chose You: 100 Reasons Why Adopting You Made Us a Family – (2004) by
Gregory E. Lang
Happy Adoption Day – (1996) preschool multi-cultural images by John McCutcheon
Mommy Far, Mommy Near: An Adoption Story – (2000) preschool, Asian, acknowledges
both mothers and the child’s feelings by Carol Antoinette Peacock
Brian Was Adopted – (1989_ In Our Neighborhood series. Excellent catalyst for starting
adoption talks on many topics by Doris Sanford
When You Were Born in Korea - by Brian Boyd
When They Were Born in China – A Memory Book for Children Adopted from China –
by Sara Dorow
I Love You Like Crazy Cakes – by Rose Lewis
Borya and the Burps – by Joan McNamara
A China Adoption Story – Mommy, Why Do We Look Different? – by Frances Koh
The Red Blanket – by Eliza Thomas
Families are Different – by Nina Pellegrini
Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale – by Karen Katz
Seeds of Love: For Brothers and Sisters of International Adoption – by Mary Petertyl
Chinese Eyes – by Marjorie Waybill
Kids Like Me in China – by Ying Ying Fry with Amy Klatzkin
The White Swan Express: A Story About Adoption – by Jean Davies Okimoto and
Elaine Aoki
Love You Forever – by Robert Munsch
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born – by Jamie Lee Curtis
Page 3 of 4
The Mulberry Bird: An Adoption Story – by Anne Braff Brodzinsky
The Day We Met You – by Phoebe Koehler
How It Feels to be Adopted – by Jill Krementz
Tall Boy’s Journey – by Joanna Halpert Kraus
If It Hadn’t Been for Yoon Jun – by Marie G. Lee
Youn Hee and Me – by Carol Adler
Adopted from Asia – by Frances Koh
Through Moon and Stars and Night Skies – by Ann Warren Turner and James Graham
Hale
Updated 9/09/08
Page 4 of 4
ADOPTION SERVICE AGREEMENT
This Adoption Service Agreement is made and entered into by and between Family Adoption Consultants a non-
profit child-placement agency licensed in the states of Michigan and Ohio hereinafter referred to as FAC and the
undersigned prospective adoptive parent applicant(s) hereinafter referred to as AP.
WHEREAS, FAC provides and coordinates adoption services to AP seeking to adopt; and,
WHEREAS, AP signed an Application requesting FAC to provide adoption services; and,
WHEREAS, the parties desire the adoption services be performed and the terms and conditions for performing said
services be fully set forth in a written agreement signed by each of the parties.
WHEREAS FAC agency policies and practices, grievance policy; general eligibility requirements, Fee Schedule of
services and program options and providers included in the Initial Information Packet and Formal Application
packet were received and reviewed by AP.
WHEREAS a signed current Fee Schedule and grievance policy signed by AP is part of the Formal Application
Packet to be submitted to FAC with this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the terms, conditions and covenants hereinafter set out,
it is agreed by and between the parties as follows:
FAC agrees to provide an adoption home study assessment and post adoption or post placement services or
referral to an Exempt or Supervised Provider in full accordance with the laws and licensing regulations of FAC’s
state(s) of licensure, the laws and licensing regulations of the state of residence of the AP, and laws and
regulations of the United States in respect to Intercountry Adoption.
FAC agrees to provide child referral and placement services for AP choosing an FAC foreign country PROGRAM in
full accordance with the laws and licensing regulations of FAC’s state(s) of licensure, the laws and licensing
regulations of the state of residence of the AP, and laws and regulations of the United States in respect to
Intercountry Adoption and the laws and regulations of the applicable foreign country program.
Adoption Service Fee Structure: AP agrees to pay FAC for adoption services in accordance with FAC’s Fee Schedule
in effect at the time services are rendered. FAC may revise the Fee Schedule from time to time for any services
not already provided and paid by the AP and will submit the revised schedule to AP for review and signature. AP
agrees to pay all fees in full at the time or times that they become due as set out in the Fee Schedule. FAC will
have no obligation to provide any services that are not paid for in accordance with the Fee Schedule or this
Agreement. AP understands that all adoption expenses and all other expenses of any kind or nature incurred by AP
or in AP’s behalf are the responsibility of AP and not the responsibility of FAC.
FAC Program fees will not be increased once a child referral has been accepted. However, there may be exigent
circumstances whereby FAC’s foreign providers believe it is reasonable and necessary to increase fees beyond
those disclosed previously in order to continue expeditiously processing the adoption. FAC will provide the AP with
the fee increase amount and explanation of any increase in fees. Example: child care costs increase due to
moratorium imposed by foreign government.
Services: AP agrees that the following provisions shall apply to home study, child referral, and post adoption/post
placement services provided by FAC and to the finalization of the adoption.
AP agrees to provide in a prompt and timely manner, all documents and information requested by FAC. If AP fails
to provide any documents or information in a prompt and timely manner, then FAC may terminate adoption
services and this Adoption Service Agreement, and FAC shall have no obligation to provide further service. All fees
paid to FAC shall be deemed earned services and AP shall not be entitled to a refund. AP understands and agrees
that the home study fee and/or home study review fee is 100% non-refundable. Any unpaid fees, costs or
expenses shall immediately be due and payable to FAC.
Page 1 of 6
AP acknowledges, understands and agrees that FAC cannot and does not under any circumstances guarantee that
AP will be approved by FAC prior to supervisory approval and/or that FAC will recommend that a child be placed
with or assigned to AP.
AP agrees to complete 10 hours of required training on international adoption prior to placement of a child.
A home study must be conducted and a written home study report completed with supervisory approval and all
required documentation provided prior to submission to the Central Authority or placement of a child with AP. The
AP agrees to pay for any required home study updates/amendments and provide the required documentation. If
the home study expires, the agency reserves the right to terminate services, requiring a new home study to be
completed at the current rate to reinitiate services.
AP understands and agrees that recommendation and approval of home study and/or approval of placement of a
child with AP cannot be guaranteed when the home study is updated.
AP understands and agrees that FAC has the right and obligation to withdraw or amend its home study approval or
recommendation set out for events or actions which come to the attention of FAC. Changes in approvals or
recommendations will be based on the best interests of the child. If information about AP or any member of AP’s
household comes to the attention of FAC after a home study is competed, including but not limited to significant
events such as untrue or false statements or documentation, refusal to cooperate during the FAC referral or post
adoption process, post placement supervision, loss of employment, separation or divorce, pregnancy, adoption of a
child, child abuse referrals, criminal or legal action concerning the AP or anyone residing in the AP’s household,
substance abuse or domestic violence, physical and/or mental heath issues, FAC’s recommendation/approval could
be withdrawn and/or amended. Before a recommendation to proceed with the adoption process could be
determined, FAC may require additional documentation, clearances, clarification, explanation or professional
counseling evaluation as FAC deems necessary or advisable. Refusal to reasonably comply may result in
termination of adoption proceedings or other actions as may be necessary or advisable to protect the best
interests of the minor child.
AP further acknowledges that the approval and recommendation of AP for the placement of a child involves many
different considerations. These factors include but not limited to the physical and mental health of the child and of
the AP, as well as the AP’s motivation, readiness, suitability, financial ability, and preparedness to parent a child
with a different racial, cultural, or socioeconomic background. If any of these or other factors should change,
which in FAC’s professional judgment is relevant to the placement of a child with AP, then it will be necessary to
update the home study to take such factors into consideration.
AP understands and agrees that some foreign countries, states, judges and/or governmental or non governmental
agencies involved in the adoption may require additional visits or services, doctor visits, medical reports and/or
documentation and reports for home study or post adoption/post placement. In such event, AP agrees to arrange
for and pay for the same.
AP agrees to provide a copy of the final adoption decree and any other legal documents and child study reports
received in a foreign country to FAC upon return from the foreign country with the child.
FAC requires post adoption or post placement supervision for all families that have a child placed with the AP. AP
agrees to abide by the requirements of FAC and any other agency AP contract with for post adoption/ post
placement services. Full cooperation will consist of but not be limited to:
• Paying in advance for post placement/post adoption services prior to FAC signing documents accepting
responsibility to report to any other Service Provider.
• Immediately informing FAC when placement of a child occurs from any other Service Provider.
• Cooperating with all requests for appointments with FAC to comply with time frames to meet reporting
requirements and,
• Providing FAC with all required medical reports, documents, information, photos, and any other information
reasonably required by FAC during the post placement/post adoption supervisory period.
Page 2 of 6
Upon satisfactory completion of the post adoption/post placement supervision requirements, FAC agrees to
forward the written report(s) to other networking agencies, courts, state and federal offices, attorney and to any
applicable foreign country or other appropriate place for the purpose of finalization of the adoption or reporting on
the status of the placement.
Where applicable, (Korea, India, Philippines; or any other country where the adoption is not final at the child’s
placement in the AP’s home), AP agrees to file or cooperate with the filing of the petition for adoption, and to
finalize the adoption in their state of residence at the earliest allowable date. AP agrees to provide a copy of the
final adoption decree to FAC upon entry of the adoption decree by the court.
Assumption of Risks: AP understands that there is risk in any adoption and that FAC in performing adoption
services or any other services does not make any guarantees, representations or warranties concerning any aspect
of the adoption process or of the child’s health or development. AP understands that this Adoption Service
Agreement does not assure or guarantee the placement of a child with AP nor does it assure a successful outcome.
The international adoption process contains inherent risks that are outside of FAC’s control. Some risks impact the
process itself, resulting in the possibility of delays, emotional frustration, and additional expenses. Some risks can
impact the health and well-being of your adopted child in the future.
A child referred internationally may be legally free for adoption, but US and/or foreign political changes could
interfere with the adoption process. Fees paid for international placement services are non-refundable in the event
a country suspends or stops foreign adoption. International adoptions are strongly influenced by the foreign
government, its political infrastructure and its relationship with the US.
Foreign or domestic laws, adoption laws, political or social events, and procedures in the foreign country and/or
the United States may change at any time in ways that may negatively impact the adoption. FAC cannot control
whether changes in laws and procedures may prevent or delay the future adoption of a child from any country,
and/or may require preparation, submission and approval of additional or modified documentation. FAC will make
every effort to stay abreast of political developments and to keep AP informed of changes as they occur.
However, FAC cannot guarantee that foreign countries will not change laws or procedures during the course of
your adoption case, causing delays, additional expense, or preventing the adoption from completing.
The approval of your adoption lies solely within the discretion of the governmental and judicial officials of the
foreign country. FAC will make diligent efforts to advise you of necessary requirements and to advocate
appropriately for your candidacy. However, FAC cannot guarantee that foreign officials will approve you to adopt a
child.
FAC will provide a reasonable estimate of the AP’s expected length of stay while in the foreign country. However,
FAC can not guarantee that the estimated time frames are exact. Travel time can be extended or delayed for a
number of reasons due to factors beyond FAC’s control. Examples of such factors include but are not limited to:
strikes in the foreign offices, illnesses or vacations of foreign government authorities such as judges and social
workers, holidays in the foreign country, requirements imposed by the courts, etc. Each case is individual and
cannot be compared to others. The length of stay may vary from the estimate given at the beginning of the
adoption process.
Estimates of costs and expenses are provided to the best of FAC’s understanding based on previous experience.
The number and length of trips could be increased due to government changes and other unanticipated conditions.
AP’s financial resources should be sufficient to cover additional trips and extended stays if necessary. AP
acknowledges that FAC is not responsible for any travel expenses of AP and AP assumes all risks and expenses of
travel.
FAC provides a best estimate of the length of time from adoption study to referral and referral to placement for all
of our Intercountry adoption programs. However, FAC can not guarantee that the estimated timetable can be met
precisely. Estimated times can be extended or delayed for a number of reasons. Each case is individual and
cannot be compared to others. The length of time may vary from the estimate given at the beginning of the
process.
Page 3 of 6
FAC will make diligent efforts to minimize the difficulties associated with different languages, cultures and customs
inherent in international adoption. The possibility exists for language misinterpretation, cultural or custom
differences, and miscommunications.
A government authority may be providing the child’s referral and/or medical information. FAC can not guarantee
the completeness or the accuracy of the information
Birth family members may not follow through on lengthy procedures required in some countries for adoptions. As
a result, the adoption may not be completed. Birth family members may decide to reclaim the child at any point in
the process. Further, adoptive families within the child’s country of origin may also express their desire to adopt a
child, even if this child has been referred to a family from abroad. In addition, a child may be assigned to a family,
and a change in that child’s situation could render the child as unadoptable, either under foreign law or U.S.
immigration law. Any of these events may complicate the process, or prevent the adoption from completing.
An adoption case can be impacted by war, man-made disasters (such as terrorist actions), natural disasters (such
as hurricanes/tsunami, etc), or health emergencies that prevent traveling (such as the SARS outbreak in China).
These events are outside of FAC’s control but may impact the length of time or ability to complete an adoption.
Medical & Social Risks: Every AP considering the adoption of a child, especially from a foreign country, must
understand the risks. Countries that permit international adoption of children often rely on this option due to lack
of financial/economic resources. This same lack of financial resources may impact the social and medical care that
children have received in the past and the availability of medical background on the child and his/her birth family.
For instance, many children identified for adoption are cared for in institutions or hospitals, operated below the
standards of care typically provided in western countries. The absence of equipment, supplies, nutritional food,
toys and age-appropriate developmental stimulus, and the shortage of adequate or properly trained medical
personnel and child care providers can result in a child’s higher risk of illness; delayed physical, psychological and
mental growth; and impairment. Prospective adoptive parents are advised that international adoption carries an
inherently increased risk of medical, social, and emotional disabilities and deficits.
Potential medical and/or developmental problems are often not diagnosed prior to or immediately following the
birth of a child. Unknown drug or alcohol use by the birth parent may be a factor in any adoption. In the event
that the identity or knowledge about the birth parent is unknown, genetic information is unavailable, including but
not limited to mental illness, genetic disorders, cancers, etc. While all information made available to FAC is
provided to the AP, there continues to be a risk of the following, but not limited to: undetected health problems,
no immunizations, immunizations with expired serums or lack of receipt of the entire series, no Hepatitis B, TB or
HIV blood tests (or inaccuracies thereof), age and size discrepancies, malnutrition, unknown AP background and
social history, change of child’s health and no additional medical information following initial referral. Many
medical tests for young children are unreliable at best; some tests may have a built-in time-delay factor or exhibit
a false-negative or false-positive response; and the medical and/or social status of the child is based upon
available information. Further complicating this issue is the problematic state of the various countries’ medical
systems, in terms of both technical proficiency and education. Because of the wide variance and disparity
throughout the world, the accuracy of medical diagnoses can be neither guaranteed nor discounted in any way.
The AP understands that the adoptive child could possibly arrive with undiagnosed physical, emotional and/or
developmental problems or later develop such problems.
The medical, social and background information that is provided to AP is collected and furnished by independent
third parties, including foreign government officials, orphanage staff and others, who provide this information
according to local policy and procedure. FAC encourages AP to seek an independent medical evaluation of the
child and will provide a list of physician’s familiar with and specializing in reviewing social and medical reports for
international adoptions. FAC is not able to guarantee the accuracy of child background records, and AP accepts
the risk of those records containing errors or omissions.
Disruption/Dissolution of Adoptive Placement: It is the right of any child in a disruption situation to receive
full protection and services and to be deemed as the primary client by FAC and AP.
Upon finalization of an adoption, the adopted child acquires all the rights, privileges and immunities of a child born
to AP. The AP has all the same responsibilities, legal obligations and duties to the child as though the child were
Page 4 of 6
born to AP. The AP understands that in most international adoptions, finalization of the adoption occurs in the
foreign country, and all of the legal rights and responsibilities of the parent to the child are created before leaving
the foreign country. Dissolution of a finalized adoption would require court action in the state of the AP residence.
The services or an attorney will be required, and the court will make the final determination regarding the
dissolution of the adoption, including the possibility that the dissolution may not be granted by the court.
While FAC will assist AP and child(ren) throughout this difficult process, it is understood that FAC will not take
physical or legal custody of the child(ren) and future placement options of the child may be the sole responsibility
of the AP, just as it would be if this were a biological child(ren). AP assumes all risks, financial and emotional
obligations in the event of dissolution.
In situations where FAC is the Primary Provider and the adoption has not been finalized abroad, FAC will assist the
AP in arranging for supportive services to the child and AP, and in those cases where it is in the best interest of the
minor child, FAC will assist in locating and arranging for a new adoptive placement when possible. The agency or
government authority holding legal custody of the child will be notified immediately. The agency or authority
holding legal custody of the child has full authority over the child and any subsequent placement.
In either case, the AP is responsible and shall assume full financial responsibility for any such services and for
replacement of the child, promptly paying or arranging for payment of all expenses incurred to meet the child’s
needs not limited to placing the child in another adoptive home, or in foster care, and in following the
requirements of the local state and foreign country regarding the care and disposition of the child.
When FAC is not the Primary Provider, FAC will assist AP and the child (ren) through this difficult process, but it is
understood that FAC will not take physical or legal custody of the child (ren), and future placement may be the
sole responsibility of the AP, just as it would if this were a biological child (ren). The AP assumes all risks and
financial and emotional obligations in the event of a disruption.
Release of Liability: The AP hereby releases FAC and its directors, officers, employees and agent from all
liability and all responsibility regarding the risks assumed by AP as above set out including the risk of an
unsuccessful outcome of the adoption proceedings, all legal risks, all medical and social risks, all risks of
informational inaccuracies and all other risks of any kind or nature. The AP hereby releases FAC and its directors,
officers, employees and agents from any claim or claims arising out of the actions, inaction, errors or omissions
committed by other organizations or entities involved in the AP’s adoption process.
Waiver of Claims: The AP hereby waives any and all claims, which AP may have now or have in the future
against FAC and its directors, officers, employees and agents. The AP agrees to hold harmless FAC and it’s above
described directors, officers and employees against any claims known or unknown, now existing or which exist in
the future, which may arise out of this Adoption Services Agreement or the receipt of services from, or adoption
through FAC.
Independent from other Agents: The AP understands that FAC is a licensed, child-placing organization. The
services provided by FAC are independent from the services of other child placement and referral agencies or
organizations. Additionally, the child referral agencies utilize foreign country entities, which are also independent
and separate, both from FAC and any other entity referenced herein. Each party is acting independently of the
other as an agent of the AP on behalf of the AP. The AP agrees in good faith, in advance, that all actions taken by
each of the entities referenced herein shall be at the request of the AP and with the AP’s authorization.
While FAC attempts to provide accurate estimates of third party expenses, FAC is not responsible for any Third
party expense or increases.
Accuracy of Information Provided by AP and FAC: FAC is committed to disclosing any and all information
available, allowing the AP to make the most informed decision possible. FAC will try to obtain as much additional
information requested by the AP, but this information may be unavailable, limited, incomplete or erroneous.
The AP’s commitment and obligation states and warrants that all information and data requested by FAC during all
aspects of the performance of this Adoption Service Agreement is and will be true, accurate and complete to the
best of the knowledge of each AP.
Page 5 of 6
Withholding information or lying to FAC representatives may result in immediate termination of services. FAC
follows all state and federal government policies regarding withholding or lying about information required as part
of the adoption process.
Disclosure of Information: The AP grants FAC permission to disclose to third parties such information provided
by AP as FAC deems necessary for the performance of services to AP, and for reporting to regulatory agencies.
The AP further grants a release, waiver and indemnification for permission to third parties to disclose to FAC such
information as FAC deems necessary for the performance of its adoption services.
Authorization to Release Adoption Documents: AP authorizes FAC to release the home study, supporting
documents, dossier documents, post placement reports, profiles or any other document to the US and Foreign
government offices, other child placing agencies or attorneys charged with assisting in the completion of the
adoption, including US Immigration and Citizenship Service, State, ICPC, or any other official needing the
aforementioned information to complete or supervise the adoption.
Confidentiality: Clients’ files are kept strictly confidential except when information is provided to referral
agencies, foreign countries, and courts, federal, state and local governmental agencies and as otherwise set out in
this Adoption Service Agreement. FAC will keep client files and information confidential except as required by law.
Termination of Agreement: FAC has the right to terminate the adoption services for cause at any time, based
upon FAC’s professional assessment. In the event of such termination by FAC, all fees then payable to FAC for
services rendered and expenses incurred on AP’s behalf shall be promptly paid in full to FAC. Any refunds to AP by
FAC are made within 30 days of request and only according to the agreement of the Schedule of Fees. FAC
attempts to operate on a pay as you go basis for services rendered and is therefore not obligated to make refunds
as services have been rendered.
Waiver/Subsequent enforcement: The failure to either party to enforce any provision of this agreement shall
not be construed as a waiver or limitation of that party’s right to subsequently enforce and compel strict
compliance with every provision of this agreement.
No Non Party Beneficiary: None of the provisions of this agreement are intended to nor shall be construed to,
confer upon or to give any person other than the parties hereto, or their heirs, successors or assigns, any rights or
remedies under, or by reason of this agreement.
Modifications: This agreement may be supplemented, modified or amended, if the supplement, modification or
amendment is made in writing, dated, and is signed by all parties.
Michigan Law: This agreement and any addendum, or further terms essential to the performance of this
agreement, are made and shall be performed and construed under the laws of the State of Michigan.
Disagreement shall be subject first to remedy between the parties and if not remedied, to mediation. Legal action
may only be filed in Kalamazoo County Michigan. This provision shall not be construed as discouraging AP from
filing complaints related to Hague Convention procedure.
The AP understands the special and unique conditions of providing adoption services. Because the loss and damage
to be expected should AP withdraw, breach, or cancel this agreement, for any or no reason, are uncertain in amount,
it is agreed that FAC shall retain all sums paid to the date of such withdrawal, breech, or cancellation as liquidated
damages and not as a penalty.
____________________________________ _____________________________
Adoptive Applicant Date
____________________________________ _____________________________
Adoptive Applicant Date
____________________________________ _____________________________
Family Adoption Consultants Date
Page 6 of 6
PRELIMINARY APPLICATION INSTRUCTION SHEET
Return the Preliminary Application with a check or money order for $200.00
to the appropriate address or call FAC at 269-343-3316 for credit card
payment instructions:
Michigan Residents:
421 W Crosstown Parkway
Kalamazoo MI 49001
Ohio Residents:
8536 Crow Dr. Ste. 220
Macedonia OH 44056
Residents of other States:

421 W Crosstown Parkway
Kalamazoo MI 49001
The Preliminary Application fee is non-refundable and non-applicable to any

other program or service fee of Family Adoption Consultants.
A $25.00 service fee will be assessed on all NSF or otherwise non-negotiable

checks.
PRELIMINARY APPLICATIONS EXPIRE IF NOT ACTED UPON

WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF DATE FILED
FAC PRELIMINARY APPLICATION
PLEASE TYPE OR USE BLACK INK APPLICANT #1 APPLICANT #2
NAME: FIRST, MIDDLE, LAST
STREET ADDRESS
CITY/VILLAGE/TOWNSHIP
STATE ZIP CODE
COUNTY
PHONE (Contact)
PHONE (Alternate)
E MAIL ADDRESS
DATE OF BIRTH
CITIZENSHIP (Country)
EDUCATION
OCCUPATION
EMPLOYER
DATE OF MARRIAGE
PREVIOUS MARRIAGES
Yes/No? How Many?
FAMILY INFORMATION
CHILDREN NAME (S) RELATIONSHIP (Birth, WHERE
DATE OF BIRTH
(Add 2nd sheet if necessary) M/F Stepchild, Adoption) LIVING?
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Gross Annual
Applicant 1: $ Other income (real estate, retirement, etc.)
Income:
Gross Annual
Applicant 2: $ Source:_______________________ Amount: $
Income:
TOTAL ANNUAL INCOME $ Source:_______________________ Amount: $
Savings: $___________________ Investments: $_________________ TOTAL ASSETS: $
FAC PROGRAM
International: What Country? _________________________________________________________________________
Domestic: Infant ___________ Toddler ____________ Older Child ____________
Racial Acceptance: African American_____ Asian_____ Caucasian_____ Hispanic_____ Biracial (specify)______________
Age Range*________ Gender_____ Male____ Female____ Both____ Siblings____ # of Children _______
*Infants are considered age’s birth to two years.
Applicants may specify gender of child for China and Kazakhstan only
HEALTH INFORMATION
Applicant #1 MEDICAL HISTORY Applicant #2
Height *Body Mass Index (BMI) can be calculated at the following website: Height
Weight www.mhlbisupport.com/bmi Weight
BMI* If you answer yes to any medical conditions, please provide a detailed BMI*
NO YES explanation below. NO YES
Communicable Disease/ HIV +/ Sexually Transmitted/ Tuberculosis/
Hepatitis B or C
Tumor/ Cancer
Heart/ Liver/ Kidney/ Gastrointestinal/ Respiratory Disease
Depression/ Mental Illness/ Anxiety
Counseling/Therapy
Alcoholism/ Substance Abuse
Any Genetic Disease
Epilepsy/ Seizure Disorder/ Multiple Sclerosis
Diabetes/ Eating Disorders/ Neuropathy
Operations/Surgeries/Hospitalizations (include Vasectomy)
Physical impairment (e.g. any degree of blindness, deafness, paralysis,
wheelchair use, etc.)
Are you currently Pregnant? Or could you be Pregnant?
Are you currently taking any medications? If so, list each medication, dosage, reason it was prescribed and how long you
have been taking it.
DISCLOSURES
YES NO
Have you ever had a Home Study? Date Completed:_____________ Agency: _________________________
If yes, was it for a Domestic or International Adoption? Domestic International
Did you adopt with that Home Study?
Have you ever been denied placement of a child?
Have you ever refused a referral?
Have you ever had a child removed from your care?
Do you have a history of any arrest and/or conviction (excluding minor traffic tickets), or other criminal
history in the U.S. or abroad, as an adult or a minor, even if acquitted, charged and dismissed, dropped, not
fingerprinted or if the record as been expunged, sealed, pardoned, or the subject of any other amelioration
(including driving convictions)?
Have you, or any member of your immediate family, ever been investigated for child abuse or neglect?
Do you, or any member of your immediate family, have a history of substance abuse?
Do you, or any member of your immediate family, have a history of domestic violence?
If you answered “Yes” to any of the above questions, please provide a detailed explanation
PLACING AGENCY: Name, Address and Phone Number of Child Placing Agency you are working with if requesting FAC do
the Home Study and Follow Up Only: ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please include any additional information that might be helpful in determining your suitability and strengths
as an adoption parent:
SIGNATURE APPLICANT #1 DATE SIGNATURE APPLICANT #2 DATE
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH YOU ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN WHO WAIT.

OH - Adoption

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Family Adoption Consultants

Ohio Information Packet

2-3 Introductory Letters

Dear Prospective Adoptive Parents:

In our business, we think experience counts. Our TWENTY-EIGHT years as

Ms. Lorene Cook

MAIN OFFICE EAST STATE OFFICE OHIO OFFICE

The Staff of Family Adoption Consultants Updated 5-09

MAIN OFFICE EAST STATE OFFICE OHIO OFFICE

What is an adoption study and why do we need one?

What is a dossier and why is it necessary?

Do we have to travel to the foreign country?

Can we choose the sex of our child?

How long is it going to take?

How much is it going to cost?

Can you guarantee a healthy child?

What are medical needs?

What about prematurity and low birth weight issues?

What about Hepatitis B? What is Status Unknown?

Are older children available?

Jerri Ann Jenista, MD Margaret K. Hostetter, MD

Laurie C. Miller, MD Dennis L. Murray, MD

COUNTRY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS CHILDREN REFERRAL TIME TRAVEL

COUNTRY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS CHILDREN REFERRAL TIME TRAVEL

Sex: Primarily girls (occasionally boys).

ADOPTIVE PARENTS ELIGIBILITY:

FAC Fees Purpose Due

Sex: Both boys and girls

ADOPTIVE PARENTS ELIGIBILITY:

FAC Fees Purpose Due

Age: 7 months to 15 years at time of referral

ADOPTIVE PARENTS ELIGIBILITY:

Children: No restrictions on the number of current children.

Travel: Travel Options: (all time frames are approximate)

FAC Fees Purpose Due

All fees are best estimates and subject to change.

ADOPTIVE PARENTS ELIGIBILITY:

Children: No more than four other children in the home.

FAC Fees Purpose Due

Sex: Both boys and girls; (more boys available).

ADOPTIVE PARENTS ELIGIBILITY:

Family Adoption Consultants is a licensed, non-profit, international adoption

Before choosing to pursue an intercountry adoption, families should first

A complete list of Ohio public and private agencies is contained in the

You can receive additional information and assistance by telephone regarding

Christian World Adoptions Dillon International

Gladney Center for Adoption Journey’s of the Heart

Lifelink International Adoption Spence Chapin Services to Families and

Additional information and sources regarding international adoption:

Adoptive Families Magazine National Adoption Information Clearinghouse

Adoption Today Magazine

Why is FAC requiring additional adoption training?

Who should take the workshops?

When do the 10 hours have to be completed?

Why can’t I just do the ten hours online?

Where and when are these workshops held?

Who are the presenters?

What is the cost?

Foster care services

Special needs children

• The JFS 01681 "Applicant Financial Statement." (rev. 10/2000).

Homestudy Update/Amendment procedures