Haiti Adoption Program

Adopt International is proud to introduce our affiliation with Alliance for Children to provide an adoption program in Haiti. Adopt International is a private non-profit agency licensed by the States of California and Hawaii to coordinate international and domestic adoptions.

Alliance for Children has had a successful program in Haiti for two years. Together we will assist families throughout the entire adoption process, which includes a Home Study, educational requirements, document gathering, dossier processing, child referral, travel and visits, accommodations, the in-country process and post placement services.

Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere and one of the poorest in the world. 80% of the population lives in abject poverty. 10% of the child population in Haiti dies before the age of four. 7% (300,000) of the children in Haiti are enslaved. 45% of the Haitian population is illiterate.

The Haitian adoption program works with Brebis de Saint-Michel de L'Attalaye (BRESMA) orphanage in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. The orphanage was established in August of 2002 under the direction of Madame Margarette Saint-Fleur, a Haitian citizen and life-long advocate for the needy in her country. To date, BRESMA has succeeded in assisting over 450 children come home to their forever families in the United States, Canada, and Europe!

Every bed and every crib is always occupied, and often shared. Our children are waiting for families! The majority of our kids come from loving birth families who are simply unable to provide for their most basic needs. Parents bring their children to the orphanage in the hopes that we will find them forever families who will raise them with love, care, and the promise of opportunities that their parents cannot provide.

Once an adoptive family's dossier is complete, the wait for a referral is generally very short. 
Haitian adoptions are currently taking 15 to 18 months after a family's dossier reaches the orphanage. During that time, we will provide support, education, and opportunities for travel to Haiti for our waiting parents.

BRESMA orphanage provides quality care for up to 120 children in two large houses. Special care for small infants and medically fragile children is available at Jamie's House, a third home managed by a dedicated American missionary. Children are cared for by a large staff of nannies, most of whom have been with us for many years. Older children attend school in the orphanage. A staff nurse is on duty each day and children receive regular doctor visits. The children are well prepared for adoption and eagerly waiting for their forever families.

Children Available

• Infants, toddlers and children of all ages. Sibling groups are also available.
  
• Children are typically in orphanages.
  
• Children are tested for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Sickle Cell prior to referral.
  
• To view children currently waiting for a family click http://www.allforchildren.org/waiting.html

Haiti’s Eligibility Requirements

• Couples must be married at least 5 years.
  
• Single women over 35 are accepted.
  
• Families may have up to two biological children already living in the home, and any number of adopted or stepchildren.
  
• Couples must be age 35 to 50 years old.

Time Frame

• It takes approximately 3 months to complete a Home study and prepare a dossier.
  
• Often referrals for older children and sibling groups are immediate and referrals for healthy infants are generally made within 3 months.
  
• From the time your child is referred to the time you travel is approximately 15 to 18 months (parents are encouraged to visit during the wait!).
  
• Both parents are recommended to travel, however only one is absolutely necessary.
  
• Families spend 3-7 days in country.

Our Haitian adoption program offers detailed and individualized international adoption referrals. Our Haiti country coordinator, an experienced adoptive mother and foster parent, travels to Haiti regularly to evaluate the children at length. She observes their behavior and development, and returns with pictures, video, and detailed descriptions. We are able to match children to families based upon the personalities and needs of all parties involved in the adoption.

In order to pursue an international adoption from Haiti, the following must be accomplished:

1. Apply to the C.I.S. for advance approval to be eligible to adopt a child from another country.
   
2. Satisfy the laws of the state in which the applicants reside. This includes completing an Adoption Home Study by a licensed adoption agency.
   
3. Satisfy the Haiti Adoption Laws and provide necessary documentation for the Haitian government.

As in all international adoptions, countries are in a constant state of fluctuation, which makes it impossible to predict exact timelines and changes in procedure for the adoption process. However, we will do our best to keep our clients informed as changes become apparent.

Program Related Fees*

*We have made every effort to provide an accurate overview of fees. Please note, however, that fees may vary from case to case, and occasionally change without prior notice. These fees do not include your travel costs.