Procedures for Adoption from Ukraine

 

The adoption process begins when the completed application and application fee are returned to ABC. The application is reviewed and applicants are notified as outlined below.

Application

1. Applications are accepted and reviewed throughout the year. Applicants will be notified in writing of their acceptance into the program(s) to which they have applied within thirty (30) days.

2. Those accepted will be invited to an orientation meeting. Others may reapply at a later date.

Orientation Meeting (required)

1. The Orientation Meeting is designed to give each of our applicants an opportunity to meet the staff, and begin their adoption journey. At this meeting we will explain our philosophies, procedures and the adoption process in general. Agency, state and international requirements are reviewed. Questions and concerns are addressed. If the applicant lives outside the Greater Kansas City Area, a phone orientation will be arranged.

2. The application and required documentation for the Home Study process are reviewed; dossier documents and forms to be completed are discussed. ABC's international educational program will be reviewed as well. Couples will be invited to attend support meetings or may attend support meetings through other sources.

Group/Support Meetings

1. Group meetings are designed to encourage and allow couples to share experiences, hear from other adoptive couples, share resources and support each other through the adoptive process.

2. Applicants may schedule meetings with staff members as needed throughout the process, and post-placement. Applicants will be invited to attend adoption seminars and meetings offered throughout the year by ABC and other organizations. Additional adoption and parenting education is encouraged, and we are happy to offer referrals to other community resources and organizations.

Adoption Home Study

1. The Adoption Home Study is the next step in the process. The Home Study will be scheduled upon completion of the application and applicable documentation. The Home Study is a cooperative effort between ABC and the applicants to assess the applicants ability to successfully parent an adopted child. This assessment is comprised of, but not limited to, the following areas:

a. Psychological, medical, and social history of each household member including childhood and family experiences.
b. Information on courtship and marriage.
c. Current social and religious network.
d. Adoption motivation and attitudes toward adoption and parenting.
e. Description of home.

2. ABC reserves the right to request and require other documentation deemed necessary for the assessment of the adoptive applicant. This may include, but is not limited to, consultation with medical, psychological, and/or legal professionals. Local Police Department Investigation Screening, Child Abuse and Neglect Screening and state driving record abstracts will be reviewed.

3. When adopting an infant, attendance at a Certified Infant CPR class and Newborn Care Class are required, and certification of attendance is regarded as part of the Home Study process. When adopting an child older than 3 years of age, a Child/Adult Certified CPR Class is required.

4. Once all documentation has been received and requirements met, the Home Study process will be complete. Applicants will be notified regarding final approval. The Home Study is valid for one year.

5. For those who have completed their Home Study through a source other than ABC there will be a Home Study review meeting to allow us the opportunity to discuss the findings of your study with you. There is a one-time fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for review. A copy of your current Home Study report must be submitted with your completed application for consideration.

Adoption Issues Seminar

1. Attendance at this seminar (when offered), or similar seminar is encouraged for all adoptive couples/parents. The seminar addresses adoption issues throughout the life cycle, raising an adopted child, stages of child development and the child's view of adoption. There may be an additional fee for this seminar when offered through other sources.

Placement

1. Once the Ukrainian government has received your dossier you can expect your child to be home within 6-12 months. After your dossier is registered with the SDA you will be given a registration number. This takes 1 day to 3 months to receive this number.

2. Once you receive the registration number, you will be given an invitation letter to travel to Ukraine and receive a referral. The travel dates are given approximately 1-6 months later.

3. You will then travel over to Ukraine to select a child(ren) and will have a completed adoption within 30-45 days.

PRE AND POST-FINALIZATION SERVICES

Pre-Finalization Adoption Services

1. ABC will provide Pre-Finalization services to the adoptive parents and the child from the date of formal acceptance of child until issuance of a U.S. birth certificate. The supervising case worker will make home visits with the adoptive family at intervals as required by Ukrainian law. Both parents must be present for the visits.

2. ABC has an agreement with several attorneys experienced in obtaining final decrees of adoption through the appropriate Kansas or Missouri Probate Courts. ABC will provide all necessary documents and reports required for re-adoption or delayed registration of birth.

Post-Finalization Adoption Services

1. ABC remains available to adoptive families to provide counseling, education and consultation on adoption issues after the final decree of adoption has been issued. In situations where ABC is unable to provide appropriate services, the agency will make referrals to agencies or individuals specializing in adoption issues.

2. Adoptive families will be invited to attend annual events such as ABC's Family Reunion Picnic.

 

Not sure where to start? ABC is committed to sharing adoption information to interested couples and individuals as they explore their options. Consultations are offered free-of-charge without obligation. Let us know if we can be of assistance.