Big Things a-Brewin’
There are some exciting changes going on here and we wanted to update you on all of them! Over the past couple of months our promotions & web development team have been meeting to discuss how we can better serve our families through our existing website and media. Through these meetings we began to formulate new concepts and ideas that we would eventually share with our GWCA families.
After working diligently, last week we began to launch our new website and logo for Great Wall China Adoption. You will notice several changes, mainly to our website and including any literature that includes our logo.
Introducing our new GWCA logo and design…
When building this website, it was our desire for it to be as straight-forward as possible for our users. From everything from the tabs to the content pages, we wanted to communicate simplicity. It is our sincerest hope that you find this to be true and are able to access the GWCA website with ease and clarity.
We do have some other exciting, new features and programs coming up that we will be launching in the coming weeks, so please be checking back here for the newest updates! As always, we thank you for your loyalty and it’s our highest honor to serve as your agency choice.
Read MoreMedia {almost} Monday.
**Yesterday we were having a few minor server issues and were not able to post. Please excuse the tardiness.**
Well the weekend is officially over and everyone is back to the grind at work! With the next week in sight, what better time to catch up on all of your current adoption news from the past week—including country and domestic updates, relevant articles, book recommendations, interesting websites, even how we are seeing adoption being talked about in movies, television, the media, etc.
At GWCA and CAN we know that you, the parents, are our experts so we are calling for your help. Our desire is to make this as interactive as possible, so if you ever have any suggestions about things to add please comment below or E-mail them to Mary at mary@childrenofallnations.com.
This past week in adoption:
- Shoe Collection
Here is the story of one mom helping another mom in her quest to adopt a special needs child. Covered by the local news station, this story is truly one of kindness and the human spirit!
Photo courtesy of MyFOX Phoenix
Here is the direct link to the adoptive family’s blog.
- Adoption & The Foster Care System
Coverage on adoption is everywhere. This is a recent segment produced by well-known Washington D.C. radio personality, Kojo Nnamdi. He addresses the trends we’ve seen in recent news about the decline of intercountry adoption, and consequently advocates for the adoption of children in the domestic foster care system.
**If you follow the link there is a button in the top left-hand corner that says “Listen.”**
- 7 Tips on Reputable Adoption Grant & Loan Organizations
We know that many of our families are always actively pursuing ways to make adoption affordable for their individual family. Grants and loans can be two excellent ways to make that happen, but sometimes those organizations are not legitimate. You are trusting people with your private information so it is important to proceed with caution. Here are 7 tips from Resources4adoption.com Founder and Director, Cherri Walrod, on how to recognize signs and verify that an organization is legitimate. Read more here…
Photo courtesy of Resources4adoption.com
Have a wonderful week and check back with us next Monday for more top coverage on adoption!
Read MoreRainy Days and Mondays.
Say goodbye to that nasty case of the Mondays! From here on out we will be referring to this day of the week officially as “Media Mondays,” so come on and get excited with us. Consider this your one stop shop to view all current adoption news from the past week, including country and domestic updates, relevant articles, book recommendations, interesting websites, even how we are seeing adoption being talked about in movies, television, the media, etc.
At GWCA we know that you, the parents, are our experts so we are calling for your help. Our desire is to make this as interactive as possible, so if you ever have any suggestions about things to add please comment below or E-mail them to Mary at mary@childrenofallnations.com.
This past week in adoption:
- NBC’s Parenthood.
This T.V. drama produced by NBC is never one to shy away from current, and sometimes controversial, issues. This past week was the season’s finale of Season 4 and as adoption lovers we encourage you to check it out! This show will add color to your story and you’ll be shaking your head in knowingness. The series bravely follows issues of domestic adoption including a birth father’s non-consent, a birth mother’s regret, disruption, older child adoption, and attachment disorders.
- Official Russian ruling.
On Tuesday, The Russian Supreme Court ruled that families who had been issued court approval to adopt before January 1, 2013 would be able to bring their children home to the United States. This includes families who are currently in their 30 day waiting period after court approval. This is helpful news for the approximately 52 families who are past court approval.
- Intercountry Adoption Numbers Continue to Decrease.
A report issued by the U.S. Department of State this past week chronicling the decrease of American families adopting foreign-born children over the past eight years. See the full report from the National Council for Adoption here:
- One family’s story and their journey to their son.
With the near 60% decline of international adoption into American homes since 2004, this writer tells the story of one family who has been waiting for more than 4 years to bring their son home. See the full story here:
http://world.time.com/2013/01/10/caught-in-the-international-adoption-slowdown/
PETER RAD FOR TIME
Frank and Gabrielle Shimkus in their Pennsylvania home.
Read MoreA Time to Celebrate.
It’s finally that time of the week…it’s FRIDAY! Time to relax and enjoy your down time surrounded by family and friends you love.
Before you kick start off your weekend, the staff at GWCA wants to take a minute to thank YOU! Without adoptive parents and families like you, we would not be making the strides we are in Chinese adoption. We cannot thank you enough for being such champions in adoption, and it’s our honor to come along side and fight with you. Your family is the reason a child now has a place called home. That is reason for celebration enough!
So kick off your shoes and have a ball this weekend!
Read MoreGreat Wall China Adoption Blog: January 16, 2013
Dear Great Wall Families,
It is getting chilly…winter is definitely here! Many of our families are in the middle of traveling or possibly just got home from picking up their kiddo from China! Re-adoption is so important to finalize the adoption process, so I would love to tell you more about this process and why it is key for all families to complete.
GWCA Re-adoption and Finalization Services-
Many families make the journey to China to pick up their child and finalize the adoption in the child’s country of origin. While this is a special part of the adoption journey, it is also very important for a family to re-adopt their child in the United States.
Why re-adopt in the United States?
- To gain a domestic Adoption Decree and Birth Certificate, issued in a form that is accepted in all domestic courts and recognized by American institutions. There have been some cases where U.S. courts have not been able to “recognize” a foreign adoption decree, and/or children have not been able to participate in activities that require a United States Birth Certificate.
- Domestic adoption and birth records are available in the United States. The replacement of foreign birth certificates and adoption records may be impossible to obtain. At a minimum, the replacement process may be very time consuming and expensive.
- To change the name of the child: If there is a change to a child’s legal name after their entry into the United States, a family must re-adopt, and then re-apply to USCIS for a new Certificate of Citizenship to establish this revision.
- To request an amended date of birth: Sometimes, an adopted child may appear older or younger than the original date of birth. If medical evidence of a different date of birth is obtained, it is possible to request an amended birth date during a re-adoption, and then re-apply to USCIS for a new Certificate of Citizenship containing the revised date.
- To guarantee your child’s right to inheritance in every state: Not all states recognize the validity of foreign adoption decrees in all legal cases. If there were ever a question as to whether a child was eligible to receive inheritance or other legal benefit, the re-adoption provides a domestic record of a child’s legal status.
- To obtain school benefits: From a practical stand-point, many school systems
require a domestic final order of adoption or domestic birth certificate in order to qualify for activities, benefits, etc. In some instances, colleges require a domestic final order prior to admittance.
If you have questions on re-adoption services, you can email Lizzie Krog at lizzie@gwca.org
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
Read MoreGreat Wall China Adoption Blog: January 9, 2013
Happy New Year GWCA Families,
GWCA wishes everyone a happy and healthy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Today, I wanted to share some great adoption news:
**Adoption Tax Credit Update: we are still waiting for final details, but the bill permanently extends the adoption tax credit, set at $10,000. After being scaled for inflation, it may come close to the 2012 amount of $12,650. Families with incomes under $150,000 will get the full credit, and it will slowly phase out for higher incomes. The American Taxpayer Relief Act is available to read here.
Additionally in 2012, GWCA/CAN has matched 228 children from all over the world with their forever families. We have also had 224 orphaned children come home to their forever families!
If you want to find out more about our China adoption program, you can do so here. We want to find homes for even more children in 2013!
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
Read MoreGreat Wall China Adoption Blog: December 19, 2012
Happy Holidays GWCA Families,
I love helping families at the beginning of their adoption journey in China. There are many prospective adoptive parents who have done extensive research before calling (which is wonderful!), but it is always good to know current information on China adoption. Sometimes, families have found adoption myths in their research, and I’d like to discuss some of those adoption myths for you:
MYTH #1: China is closing to international adoption.
–This is not true! China’s wait for the Healthy Track has continued to get longer, but this does not mean China is closing for international adoption. In fact, China’s waiting child program is growing and becoming a wonderful, positive program for children and families! China even continues to make huge investments in international adoption and visits the U.S. to foster relationships abroad and see their adopted children thriving!
MYTH #2: China has plenty of healthy children waiting in orphanages.
–Many young, healthy children in China are now being placed with families in China.
MYTH #3: Only girls are available in China.
–This might be true for the healthy child track, but virtually just as many boys are available as girls through the waiting child program.
MYTH #4: Large families cannot adopt.
–What a myth! Large families have adopted with our agency before. We have had many families that have more than 5 children get waivers from China to adopt…and our agency is happy to support your family through the adoption process.
MYTH #5: We are too old to adopt.
–So many families think they are not eligible to adopt after the age of 50. This is not true! China does set an age restriction on the age of the child you can adopt for the healthy child track, but there are possibilities for you to adopt through a waiting child
program.
If you ever have questions about adoption myths you may have heard, feel free to contact me anytime at Elizabeth@childrenofallnations.comor 512-323-9595 x3091
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
Read MoreGreat Wall China Adoption Blog: December 12, 2012
Hello GWCA Families,
With the holidays (quickly) approaching, I wanted to share a couple of Christmas traditions and craft ideas from our Pinterest page!
Have you ever thought about incorporating food from China in your Christmas dinner? What about making Christmas ornaments that are China-themed? You can put little framed pictures from your little one on “Gotcha Day” on the tree or even a glass ornament with a cut-out of China in it. The sky is the limit on creating Chinese crafts for Christmas!
Speaking of Christmas, have you thought about a gift for Dad?! There are so many wonderful gift ideas out there, especially for a daddy who has adopted! A nicely framed family picture is always great for his desk at work…and don’t forget to set out those cookies for Santa! 😉
Happy Holidays,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
Read MoreGreat Wall China Adoption Blog: December 5, 2012
Happy Wednesday Families,
The holidays are just around the corner, and GWCA loves hearing about your family’s holiday stories. Do you remember what your first holiday was like with your little one? Are you anxious to learn about the adoption process and have your first holiday as a complete family?!
One of our families recently sent us a video of their adoption story. They have adopted two times already and are currently adopting again from China! I can truly see the happiness adoption has brought to this family, and I wish all of our families so much joy this time of year!
Here is a link to this family’s adoption video! You can also learn more about the China Waiting Child Program, right here.
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
Read MoreGreat Wall China Adoption Blog: November 28, 2012
Hello GWCA Families,
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know I ate way too much, but I did enjoy spending time with my family. Did anyone have new additions or traditions this year?
GWCA has some new additions that we are truly excited to share. Every month, we have new webinars for families researching adoption and for those families currently in process! Everyone can benefit from attending and learning just a little more about China adoption. GWCA has an agency webinar at the beginning of each month, and we will also have webinars on topics like: What is Hague, Adoption Myths and FAQs, Financial Assistance for Adoptions. We hope to inform and educate families as much
as possible throughout their adoption journey!
Have you attended a webinar? What are you waiting for? View our webinar schedule here.
Also, learn how to connect with GWCA through Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest right now! There are always exciting posts, updates, and families to interact with!
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Consultant
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