Older Child Placements
Adopt International is pleased to introduce its partner Kidsave Summer Miracles Program. Kidsave is a chartitable organization that works directly with Colombia to help older children (8-14 years) find permanent families. This program is open to families that are interested in adopting as well as families that would only like to host and advocate for a child.
Every summer, Kidsave brings Colombian orphans to the United States for a five week summer vacation where they spend time going to summer camp, making new friends, and most importantly, meeting families interested in adoption. These are older children, ages 8 through 14, who have little or no chance of finding adoptive parents in their own country. During the summer visit, Adopt and Kidsave staff, dedicated volunteers and host families work diligently to find adoptive families for these children. Since 1999, more than 1,600 children have traveled to the US as part of our Summer Miracles program, and 85% have found families who have adopted them or are pursuing adoption. Adopt International is Kidsave’s Northern California partner agency, which will help each family meet the requirements for hosting, as well as provide training and social work support.
Children Available
Most of the children are available for adoption because of abuse and neglect, poverty and social practices. Children selected for the program have a Resolution of Adoptability with no contact with their birth parents and little to no contact with extended family. Only those children particularly adaptable and deemed to have the highest chance of success in an international placement are chosen for this program. Background information, health history, placement history and developmental assessments on the child will be made available to the adoptive family, although the information may be limited.
- Boys and Girls
- Age ranges from 8 to 14 years old
- Many sibling groups available (and VERY in need of families!)
- Cannot adopt more than one unrelated child at a time
Host and Advocate
This program welcomes families that are interested in adopting as well as families which
may have no intention to adopt, but are serious about hosting and advocating for a permanent family for their host child/ren. Families will attend advocacy events each weekend that they are visiting, as well as participation in additional outreach in your community. This is fully intended to be a fun, family-oriented summer experience that will benefit your host child immensely, regardless of finding a permanent family.
Process
In order to host a child, the following conditions must be met:
- Complete an application to both Kidsave and Adopt International.
- Complete a Psychosocial Assessment with Adopt International (including fingerprint clearance).
- Complete a program orientation with a local Kidsave volunteer.
- Complete 8 hours of Hague-approved training provided by Adopt International.
- Complete two, two-hour training sessions during week two and week four of the child’s visit.
- Attend weekend advocacy events while the child is visiting.
Criteria for Adoptive/Host Parents
- Single persons.
- Couples (legally married) or
- Couples proving the uninterrupted cohabitation of at least two (2) years. This term shall be counted from the date of divorce decree, in case there is a former marriage of one or both partners.
- To be 25+ years old and to have at least 15 years more than the adoptee.
Costs for Summer Hosting Program
The fees for hosting a child for the summer are approximately $3,000. These fees are separate from actual costs to adopt a child. If you are seriously interested in adopting, it is our strong recommendation to research placing agency fees before hosting.
Colombia Adoption Program fees are not included and will be determined by your Placing Agency.
Fees for sibling groups will be quoted case by case
Home Study and post placement fees are not included and will be determined by your Home Study agency.
Visa application fees and in-country medical tests are not included.
Travel, lodging, food, and personal expenses are the responsibility of the applicants and will vary depending on point of origin and amenities.
All fees are subject to change without notice.
Please visit Kidsave’s website to learn more about this incredible opportunity to find homes for older children. Lauren Reicher-Gordon is the director of this program and is happy to go over the program details with you, and direct you back to Adopt International once you’ve gotten started with them. Her assistant Nicole will also be happy to help you.
