From Our Families

APRIL 2003 NEWSLETTER 

Caring for and serving families in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama,  Mississippi,

Florida,Texas, and Louisiana 

Kelsey turns a year old on 2/25 and seems to be doing very well outside of language. She is babbling but not really using any words at this point.   She began walking on 2/9/03 - she was and is quite proud of herself!!  I would say that she walks about 50% of the time.   Her personality has begun to emerge a little more clearly and she is a delightfully funny gal.  She is generally a pretty happy go lucky baby - with very strong opinions about what she will and won't eat.  She is slowly taking interest in textures - but fruit - well we haven't found what she likes yet.  She is doing great after her second bout of pneumonia in both lungs.  Since I am back at work full-time, she is in daycare at Vanderbilt and I have to say that it is the least of my worries right now. She fusses when I leave [and that's actually a good thing], but she readily settles in with the caregivers. She is given lots of love and affection and it shows in her comfort level.

Katrina has continued to grow into her big sister role. She is a wonderful help to  me - although I am trying to be careful to avoid making her feel like all she does is jobs/work related to little sister.  They play together and Katrina is very watchful of Kelsey.  And Kelsey thinks Katrina walks on water - when you see her smile as she recognizes Katrina's voice, you know there is a special bond there.   Katrina continues to be busy with kindergarten and learning how to read, Chinese school on Saturdays [where she is learning to recognize some of the words by the characters and she is also learning how to write], dance and gymnastics.   She is looking forward to her dance recital on May 4th - her first one!   Katrina is also busy working on her teeth trying to loosen them up.  She has lost the two bottom teeth but no others - and this is a really big deal at school - a sort of badge of honor!!

Overall, we have settled into a rhythm of sorts and are doing what we need to do and also building in some fun time.   Life with two is more complicated for sure - but - it is priceless to watch my two girls interact. 

As you know with war pending, our country is at a crossroads and security continues to be heightened.  As a result of 9/11, INS has been restructured and is now a part of the Homeland Security.  Also, as of 3/1/03 INS became Bureau of Citizenship Services and they are now beginning to implement new policies.  One of these that will affect adoptive parents is the validity of fingerprints for only 15 months.

The BCIS (INS) has a rule that fingerprints are only valid for 15 months from the date that they were cleared by the FBI.  This means even though your I-171 H may not have expired (the I-171 H is valid for 18 months) your fingerprint check may have expired.  Remember, your fingerprint check was done, in some cases, many months before you got your I-171 H approval.   

If you obtained your I-171 H approval one year ago or if you know that your fingerprint check is over 15 months old, you must be re-fingerprinted, on a walk-in basis.  You must pay the $50.00 fee per person usually in check or money order, as well as provide a valid photo I.D,, both parents if a married couple need to come together.  They will not re-fingerprint you unless your fingerprints are 14 months old.  The FBI fingerprint office phone number is 304-625-5590.  You can call this number after you have been fingerprinted to see if you have been cleared. .

If you are just beginning the adoption process with us, please be aware that you may have to be fingerprinted twice before you travel.  Please be aware of your fingerprint date and please be re-fingerprinted accordingly.

I imagine that these rules will continue to change and be redefined by the BICS.  I do know that they are doing everything that they can to meet the huge demands at this time.  We appreciate their efforts and hope our families will also communicate this to them.  It is a huge inconvenience on you, I know, but we appreciate what they are doing to try to keep our country safe, and we honor them for this!

As always, please let me know if you have questions or concerns.

 China — Chinese adoptions continue to go very smoothly!  Current referral time is 12-13 months:  

In regards to the illness (SARS) that has been in the news lately which has been affecting people in the Asian countries, there is a link to the WHO on the Children's Hope website.  After speaking with the Infectious Disease Center at Vanderbilt and several other doctors, we have learned that this illness has been around for over a year.  None of our families have become ill after traveling to China.  Also, we do not anticipate that this will affect the future travel of any of our families. We suggest families talk to their doctors and be extra careful when they are overseas, but we don't suggest our families to delay their adoption trip because of this.  We will inform you if anything changes in regards to this situation.  

Russia — Adoptions continue strong in Russia as well!  We have our first two families traveling to Kaliningrad this month, and of course all the regions in Russia are open! 

Vietnam — Continues to be closed for a moratorium, but hopefully they will reopen soon!  We will keep you posted!

Guatemala - On the 5th of March, ascention to the Hague took place in Guatemala.  This is an international adoption law established to centralize and regulate international adoptions and to ensure that adoptions are being processed in a legal and ethical manner - giving first priority to the best interests of the children.  The PGN was designated as the central authority, which will be in charge of regulating adoptions.  This came as quite a surprise to attorneys and adoption agencies alike as there was no sign that this was to take place so soon.  Though likely to significantly impede adoptions in Guatemala for a period of time, CHI stands in strong support of the implementation of Hague legislation and is ready to jump in and make necessary programmatic changes to adapt to the new system.  It is our sincere belief that implementation of The Hague will lead to positive change in the Guatemalan adoption system.  Nobody is quite certain how Hague implementation in Guatemala will progress, but it is very likely that families in the process may experience significant delays.  The prevailing belief is that families already in the process will be permitted to continue, however, there may be additional delays in case processing. This is a difficult time for Guatemalan adoptions.  WE currently are not accepting applications for Guatemala, but there is no moratorium.  We continue to accept dossiers of families in the process.  As soon as more information is available, we will let you know!

Colombia — continues to be a strong country for adoptions!

India — There has been a marked increase in applications to adopt in India, thus we now have a full-time person to look after that program.  Lisa Adams-Reese, our Branch Director in Oregon will be assuming the responsibility of the India Coordinator. Lisa has a daughter from India and another daughter has adopted twice from India.  Lisa has a strong heart for the children there, and a firm grasp of the process.  She was last in India only a few months ago, in December.  Our executive director, Dwyatt Gantt is also visiting India this month to establish relations with more orphanages in India where children are needing homes.

Three courses for adoptive families are offered free on the Internet.  They are entitled:

Understanding the Adoption Tax Credit 

 Let’s Talk Adoption: A Lifetime of Family Conversations 

Conspicuous Families

 www.adoptionlearningpartners.org 

Each month, we like to feature a waiting child.  Meet Natasha who is from Russia.  Natasha is turning 7 in May. She is very friendly and giggles at just about anything. She loves to swim and play with children and adults. She does well in her school and likes to recite before the class. She is also very kind and thoughtful to those around her. Natasha's mother died when she was three, and she has been in an orphanage near Moscow ever since. 

On April 18^th please join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt!  Both families who are waiting and have children are invited…and we should have a great time!  Just bring your basket and join us at 3:00 PM for a great time!  The Cool Springs House, Crockett Park.  (Directions:  I-65 South, Concord Rd Exit, going East.  Pass the YMCA, and turn right onto Wilson Pike.  Go to Crockett Road and turn left.  Pass the school, and turn left at the first light.  You will see the house on the left.) Rain or shine!

 Please join us for free information meetings:

Tuesday, April 8, 2003

CHI Office, 7003 Chadwick Drive, Suite 350, Brentwood, TN

6:00 - 8:00PM

Monday, April 14, 2003

University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, 1021 Wilkenson Trace, Bowling Green, KY

6:00 - 8:00 PM 

Sunday, April 27, 2003

East Jefferson Hopsital, 4200 Houma Blvd, Metarie, LA 

3:00 - 5:00 PM

 Monday, April 28, 2003

Catholic Community Services, 1900 S. Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA

6:00 - 8:00 PM

Tuesday, April 29, 2003

Eudora Welty Library, 300 N. State Street, Jackson, MS

6:00 - 8:00 PM

May 13, 2003

CHI Office, 7003 Chadwick Drive, Suite 350, Brentwood, TN

6:00 - 8:00 PM

Sunday, May 18, 2003

Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, 915 Monroe Street SW, Huntsville, AL

2:00 - 4:00PM

April 2                                   Waiting Mom’s Coffee                  9:00 - 10:00 AM                             Children’s Hope

April 5                                   EEASG Egg Hunt                           2:00                                                 Edward Warner Park, Area 10

April 6                                   FCC Egg Hunt                                2:00 – 4:00 PM                              Bellevue Red Caboose Park  

April 12                                 Dossier Class                               8:30 AM                                           Children’s Hope

                                              Travel Class                                   10:00 - 12:00 Noon                       Children’s Hope

April 14                                 Playgroup for Moms & Kids        10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon                Nashville Zoo

April 18                                 Easter Egg Hunt                            3:00 PM                                           Cool Springs House

April 21                                 Home Study Group                       6:30 - 8:30 PM                                Children’s Hope

May 7                                     Waiting Mom’s Coffee                 10:00 - 11:00 AM                            Children’s Hope

We have much to be thankful for in America, including our freedom.  We fly an American flag at our home, year round!  Our country is of course at a crossroads, and many of our families are at the front lines fighting.  They remain in our prayers.  I can also tell you that the need of children around the world continues to be prevalent on our minds and hearts!  Children have such great needs and are often the last to get those needs met!  Although we are at war, the children wait!  If you have been called to adopt, please do not hesitate.  The children need you!  If we can ever do anything to help, please do not hesitate to contact me at Brenda@childrenshopeint.org.

We don't want to burden you with a lot of information, but we do want to help you if you are looking for a way to adopt. If not, please let us know and we will regretfully remove your name from our newsletter.   E-mail me at my address below with any question you have.  I would love to hear from you.  Let the peace of God rule your hearts and minds in this hour!

Brenda

Southeastern U.S.
Brenda Barker, Director
7003 Chadwick Dr. Suite 350
Brentwood, TN  37027
615-309-8109   Fax: 615-309-8483

 
Brenda@ChildrensHope.com
Also serving the following states: TN, KY, GA, AL, MS, FL, TX and LA