Spina Bifida Occulta occurs in 10-20% of the population. Many people have no symptoms, but for those who do, these can vary widely. Surgery and treatment can also be effective.

The  China Centre for Children’s Welfare and Adoption released some new homestudy and post-placements requirements. These new guidelines and regulations for the homestudy go into effect as of October 1, 2011; and those regarding post placement visits and reports apply to families who receive Notice of Coming to China for Adoption after August 1, 2011. [...]

This week we received two breaking news items from China. The first is that the CCAA, as of February 15, 2011, is now referred to as the China Centre for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA). The greater news, however, is that single women are now permitted to adopt from China.  Years ago, when single women [...]

Meeting the challenges of a child with clubfoot is most likely very doable. You must also consider the other adjustment issues the child will also be having. To learn more about waiting children with clubfoot and other special needs, do register to receive information through Constant Contact.

When you are referred a child, you will want to have the child’s condition evaluated. Nightlight provides an extensive list of health care providers who can evaluate your child and those who provide services once your child is home. If your child has clubfoot, you may want a specialist in this area to evaluate a child’s file so that you can be very well-prepared for the types of treatment the child may need.

The treatment of a child with clubfoot is usually very standard, but it takes diligence. Also care does not have to be expensive. Through the Shriners Hospital your child can receive excellent care at no cost to you.

This is part one in a 4-part series on clubfoot. Many of the more than 2,000 children who are on the China special needs list have clubfoot. In general, it is condition that can be readily treated and treatment may begin while the child is still in China.

Overall, children from China do very well. In one study in looking at children adopted into Canada from China, in which the children on average were 13 months old when they arrived home, they were doing as well as other children in Canada at three years old. (Incidentally, these children arrived home about 10/11 years [...]

Your child’s nutritional status while in an orphanage can affect your child’s overall growth and development. Learn how the lack of certain nutrients can affect your child and what you can do.

On November 30, 2010, President Obama signed the International Adoption Simplification Act.  This Act provides the same waiver for  required vaccination documentation for Hague Convention adoptions as is available for non-Hague adoptions.  Effective immediately, I-800 families can follow the same procedure as used by I-600 families to apply for a vaccination waiver by completing a [...]

Next week, our China facilitator Sabrina Chang and Russia coordinator Kate Zyubenko will be in South Carolina at two adoption seminars, one in Lake Wylie (Nov. 18, register here) and the other in Moore (Nov. 20, register here). These are very special events featuring the China Special Needs Program, the Russia program, and the Ukraine/Hosting [...]

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

I’m writing to let you know that we have learned of an infant boy waiting for adoption from China on the special needs list. He is 10 months old and has cleft lip and palate.

Reported by AP on February 25, 2009. (I can’t find the actual recommendation online — if you do, please let me know, and I’ll post it.) ATLANTA (AP) – A federal advisory panel is recommending hepatitis A vaccinations for everyone who has close contact with children adopted from countries where hepatitis A is common. That [...]

On October 7, I posted a call to action from JCICS. JCICS’s advocacy — in conjunction with the advocacy of other stakeholders and concerned Americans — has resulted in at least limited success. Here is JCICS’s announcement. Dear Colleagues, After advocating on behalf of adoptive families for the past 6 months, Joint Council is very [...]