Here are some of the criteria for PAPs (Prospective Adoptive Parents)
1. Prospective adoptive parents having composite age of 90 years and less and where neither
parent has crossed 45 years can be considered for adoption of Indian children. The age criterion
may be suitably relaxed in exceptional cases for reasons clearly stated in the Home Study Report. However, in no case should the age of the prospective adoptive parent(s) exceed 55 years.
2. In case of special needs children with medical problems, the age limit of adoptive parent(s)
may be relaxed by concerned state government.
3. The prospective parent(s) should have a regular source of income with a minimum average
monthly income of at least Rs.3000/- per month. However, lower income will be considered taking into account other assets and support system i.e. own house etc.
For more details, check http://www.adoptionindia.nic.in/
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Steps Involved In Adoption.
1. First, the prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) should register with the local licensed adoption agency or adoption coordinating agency and their interest in adoption is ascertained at this stage.
2. A home study of the PAPs is conducted by the social worker of the agency. To ease the fears and apprehensions of PAPs, pre-adoptive counseling sessions are undertaken by the social worker. For the social worker, assessing the ability of the couple to parent a child not born to them is of crucial importance. Therefore, the couple’s suitability to care for an unrelated child is ensured through this home study.
3. After the initial survey, PAPs should submit documents related to their financial and health status to the agency.
4. A child is then shown to the parents. If desired by the parents, the agency takes care to match a child meeting the desired description.
5. The agency files a petition for obtaining the necessary orders under relevant act once a successful matching has been done. In some cases, the child may also be placed in pre-adoption foster care with adoptive parents.
6. Fees, as prescribed by the government, will be charged by the licensed adoption agency for maintenance and legal cost.
The above process is normally completed in 6-8 weeks once the child has been matched with the parents. There are regular follow-up visits and post-adoption counseling by the social worker till the child adjusts in his/her new environment.
Please check http://www.adoptionindia.nic.in/ for more details.
2. A home study of the PAPs is conducted by the social worker of the agency. To ease the fears and apprehensions of PAPs, pre-adoptive counseling sessions are undertaken by the social worker. For the social worker, assessing the ability of the couple to parent a child not born to them is of crucial importance. Therefore, the couple’s suitability to care for an unrelated child is ensured through this home study.
3. After the initial survey, PAPs should submit documents related to their financial and health status to the agency.
4. A child is then shown to the parents. If desired by the parents, the agency takes care to match a child meeting the desired description.
5. The agency files a petition for obtaining the necessary orders under relevant act once a successful matching has been done. In some cases, the child may also be placed in pre-adoption foster care with adoptive parents.
6. Fees, as prescribed by the government, will be charged by the licensed adoption agency for maintenance and legal cost.
The above process is normally completed in 6-8 weeks once the child has been matched with the parents. There are regular follow-up visits and post-adoption counseling by the social worker till the child adjusts in his/her new environment.
Please check http://www.adoptionindia.nic.in/ for more details.
Adoption - Alternative Parenthood
Parenthood is parenthood, no matter by what mode it is achieved. Becoming parents biologically or by adoption are two unique experiences. The process of adoption might take one through a gamut of emotions ranging from intense hurt and grief to inexpressible joy. Coping with these feelings is a difficult task and a challenge that must be met. A successful adoption needs open communication, acceptance, and a supportive environment in which one can discuss adopting a child as a viable alternative means of achieving parenthood. The decision to adopt is fraught with many apprehensions. As a 'childless' couple, it may be extremely hard to decide to accept an unrelated child into your family.
At the same time, you might be experiencing a craving for parenthood to fill what you perceive as a void in your lives. A common reason that might lead a couple to consider adoption is their involuntary childlessness - a condition that gives rise to a complex of emotions for the two individuals involved. These emotions have their roots in the fundamental human need and desire for parenthood. Other motivation to adopt could be a desire to give a home to a child who needs one, wanting a child of the other sex, advanced age and the possibility of genetic problems in one's biological child.
Infertility is most often seen only as a medical problem, but such a viewpoint overlooks the emotional and psychosocial aspects, which are probably more important to the couple. Most couples simply assume that conceiving, childbearing and giving birth are matters of choice and an inevitable outcome of a marriage. Hence, an inability to conceive or to take a pregnancy to full term is an unexpected and traumatic shock.
Parenthood is thought of as an integral stage in life that goes hand in hand with being married. When you cannot have biological children, and when you think you might miss out on the experience of parenting, you may experience a void in your life.
The hardest part of being infertile is coming to terms with the fact that there is some physical problem which is coming in the way of childbearing and that no amount of medical intervention can successfully change this. This realisation may lead to feelings of loss, inadequacy and low self esteem in some parents. One might experience denial, guilt, depression, frustration and a sense of helplessness. In the Indian context, infertility has negative connotations. Particularly among traditional society and lower socio-economic groups, a woman who does not produce biological children faces social ostracism; threats of divorce, and the husband are pressured to remarry. Infertility shows that in 40% of the cases the man is the cause, in another 40% it is the woman, and the couple share the problem in the remaining 20%. Still ignorance leads society to most often hold the woman responsible for childlessness.
When a couple resolves their crisis of infertility only then can they channel their energy into deciding to adopt a child. A way to resolve this crisis is for one to view and accept childlessness or infertility as a shared loss. Doing so will let you look ahead and explore your alternatives constructively. Articulating your feelings and discussing the issues facilitates the process of acceptance. Before one decides to adopt, you must resolve satisfactorily all the issues relating to your infertility as a couple. If not, there is the risk that your adopted child will be a constant reminder of your own inability to have biological children. But by reframing or redefining the problem one can find an alternative mode of achieving parenthood - namely ADOPTION.
Source: http://www.indiadoption.com/
At the same time, you might be experiencing a craving for parenthood to fill what you perceive as a void in your lives. A common reason that might lead a couple to consider adoption is their involuntary childlessness - a condition that gives rise to a complex of emotions for the two individuals involved. These emotions have their roots in the fundamental human need and desire for parenthood. Other motivation to adopt could be a desire to give a home to a child who needs one, wanting a child of the other sex, advanced age and the possibility of genetic problems in one's biological child.
Infertility is most often seen only as a medical problem, but such a viewpoint overlooks the emotional and psychosocial aspects, which are probably more important to the couple. Most couples simply assume that conceiving, childbearing and giving birth are matters of choice and an inevitable outcome of a marriage. Hence, an inability to conceive or to take a pregnancy to full term is an unexpected and traumatic shock.
Parenthood is thought of as an integral stage in life that goes hand in hand with being married. When you cannot have biological children, and when you think you might miss out on the experience of parenting, you may experience a void in your life.
The hardest part of being infertile is coming to terms with the fact that there is some physical problem which is coming in the way of childbearing and that no amount of medical intervention can successfully change this. This realisation may lead to feelings of loss, inadequacy and low self esteem in some parents. One might experience denial, guilt, depression, frustration and a sense of helplessness. In the Indian context, infertility has negative connotations. Particularly among traditional society and lower socio-economic groups, a woman who does not produce biological children faces social ostracism; threats of divorce, and the husband are pressured to remarry. Infertility shows that in 40% of the cases the man is the cause, in another 40% it is the woman, and the couple share the problem in the remaining 20%. Still ignorance leads society to most often hold the woman responsible for childlessness.
When a couple resolves their crisis of infertility only then can they channel their energy into deciding to adopt a child. A way to resolve this crisis is for one to view and accept childlessness or infertility as a shared loss. Doing so will let you look ahead and explore your alternatives constructively. Articulating your feelings and discussing the issues facilitates the process of acceptance. Before one decides to adopt, you must resolve satisfactorily all the issues relating to your infertility as a couple. If not, there is the risk that your adopted child will be a constant reminder of your own inability to have biological children. But by reframing or redefining the problem one can find an alternative mode of achieving parenthood - namely ADOPTION.
Source: http://www.indiadoption.com/
Deciding the child
"Adoption is when a child grew in its mommy's heart instead of her tummy."
The process of deciding which child to adopt is termed as "choosing". This does not mean that the couple chooses one child & rejects the other. An adoptive parent should always think that even the biological child is not exactly of anybody's expectation. The choosing process may turn out to be emotionally traumatic for a child. An adoptive parent may select a child who is fairly normal, healthy, with remedial & treatable medical problems.
Looking at the Indian Socio-cultural context, the adoptive agencies try to provide as much support as they can for the sake of the adopted child's acceptance & integration into the family.
During the Home Study process, an adoptive parent may discuss with the social worker a profile of the child that they have in mind. The social worker tries her best to locate a baby that matches the expectations.
Adoptive parents should always keep in mind that children in adoption centers may not be the bouncing, bonny babies. They may have born underweight as a result of poor pre-natal care, malnutrition & undernourishment of the biological mother. With proper care & love, the child soon blossoms into good health.
Agencies normally do a complete medical screening of the baby before refering to the parents. The adoptive parents are recommended to visit their own pediatrician to reassure themselves that the baby has no congenital or medical problems.
Source: http://www.indiadoption.com/
The process of deciding which child to adopt is termed as "choosing". This does not mean that the couple chooses one child & rejects the other. An adoptive parent should always think that even the biological child is not exactly of anybody's expectation. The choosing process may turn out to be emotionally traumatic for a child. An adoptive parent may select a child who is fairly normal, healthy, with remedial & treatable medical problems.
Looking at the Indian Socio-cultural context, the adoptive agencies try to provide as much support as they can for the sake of the adopted child's acceptance & integration into the family.
During the Home Study process, an adoptive parent may discuss with the social worker a profile of the child that they have in mind. The social worker tries her best to locate a baby that matches the expectations.
Adoptive parents should always keep in mind that children in adoption centers may not be the bouncing, bonny babies. They may have born underweight as a result of poor pre-natal care, malnutrition & undernourishment of the biological mother. With proper care & love, the child soon blossoms into good health.
Agencies normally do a complete medical screening of the baby before refering to the parents. The adoptive parents are recommended to visit their own pediatrician to reassure themselves that the baby has no congenital or medical problems.
Source: http://www.indiadoption.com/
Difference between an Orphanage and an Adoption Agency
As explained by Mr. Ruby Nakka from India Adoption Blog:
It is the child who has no family of any sort (an orphan) is to be placed in adoption but till such adoption takes place, dwelling of an orphan is called "Orphanage". So it is logical to think that people should go to orphanage to adopt a child. Well…. it is a huge misconception that many people believe in. Read on to understand the difference between an orphanage and an adoption agency.
Orphanages and adoption agencies are two distinct places working with two different objectives. Orphanages (now under a new law in India called "Juvenile & Justice Act" or JJ Act they are to be called as "Children's Homes") are places where they provide care and protection to a child who needs them. These could be taking care of orphans but not necessarily those that have no family of any sort. For example, a child may have lost his/ her parents but may have extended family who is unable/ unwilling to provide the needed care and protection to the child. As long as the child has a family of some sort (although they are unable to care), they are not free for adoption. Orphanages cannot house a child who has no family of any sort
Adoption agencies or placement agencies are places that exclusively deal with placing an orphan child in adoption. For example, if a child is found abandoned in a railway station, once the government makes a determination that the child is abandoned, they are not sent to an orphanage but to an adoption agency. Adoption agency will take the child through several legal steps to declare free for adoption before they actually place them in a home through adoption. The state government normally licenses adoption agencies after they meet certain guidelines.
In Tamilnadu, any new adoption agency is licensed only after they maintain a children's home (or orphanage) for minimum of three years. In this case, you might see an adoption agency and an orphanage working together in one location or in two different locations. This is required because once the efforts to place a child in adoption are exhausted, the child can be sent to an orphanage for continued care and protection.
Remember: If you or anyone that you know of looking to adopt, the place to visit is not an orphanage but an adoption agency or a placement agency.
It is the child who has no family of any sort (an orphan) is to be placed in adoption but till such adoption takes place, dwelling of an orphan is called "Orphanage". So it is logical to think that people should go to orphanage to adopt a child. Well…. it is a huge misconception that many people believe in. Read on to understand the difference between an orphanage and an adoption agency.
Orphanages and adoption agencies are two distinct places working with two different objectives. Orphanages (now under a new law in India called "Juvenile & Justice Act" or JJ Act they are to be called as "Children's Homes") are places where they provide care and protection to a child who needs them. These could be taking care of orphans but not necessarily those that have no family of any sort. For example, a child may have lost his/ her parents but may have extended family who is unable/ unwilling to provide the needed care and protection to the child. As long as the child has a family of some sort (although they are unable to care), they are not free for adoption. Orphanages cannot house a child who has no family of any sort
Adoption agencies or placement agencies are places that exclusively deal with placing an orphan child in adoption. For example, if a child is found abandoned in a railway station, once the government makes a determination that the child is abandoned, they are not sent to an orphanage but to an adoption agency. Adoption agency will take the child through several legal steps to declare free for adoption before they actually place them in a home through adoption. The state government normally licenses adoption agencies after they meet certain guidelines.
In Tamilnadu, any new adoption agency is licensed only after they maintain a children's home (or orphanage) for minimum of three years. In this case, you might see an adoption agency and an orphanage working together in one location or in two different locations. This is required because once the efforts to place a child in adoption are exhausted, the child can be sent to an orphanage for continued care and protection.
Remember: If you or anyone that you know of looking to adopt, the place to visit is not an orphanage but an adoption agency or a placement agency.
Objectives of our group
1. To promote and spread awareness about child adoption, and to educate ourselves and our society against the myths surrounding child adoption. This will create an environment in the Indian society that is more conducive to the concept of adoption, hence encouraging more people to consider adoption
2.To build a strong, national level forum consisting of current adoptive parents, prospective adoptive parents, and others willing to spread awareness regarding child adoption in India.
3. To establish PGCAI as a non-profit institution with an identity as a people based platform. This platform will serve as a ground for common man and NGO's to interact and communicate, and voice out opinions related to adoption laws to the concerned government bodies and adoption agencies.
4. To establish a database of the prospective adoptive parents across India and to help them in the process of adoption, especially with regard to adoption procedures and pre-adoption counseling.
5. To provide information regarding the legal rights of adoptive parents and voice our support in preserving these rights. One such support is towards enforcing implementation of adoption leave across companies in the private sector in India.
6. To work in close association with adoption agencies to help them put together a transparent system for the process of adoption.
7. To support proposition of amendments to existing laws related to adoption such that more orphan children become legally eligible for adoption.
8. To gather volunteers who can counsel and guide prospective parents through pre-adoption and post-adoption.
2.To build a strong, national level forum consisting of current adoptive parents, prospective adoptive parents, and others willing to spread awareness regarding child adoption in India.
3. To establish PGCAI as a non-profit institution with an identity as a people based platform. This platform will serve as a ground for common man and NGO's to interact and communicate, and voice out opinions related to adoption laws to the concerned government bodies and adoption agencies.
4. To establish a database of the prospective adoptive parents across India and to help them in the process of adoption, especially with regard to adoption procedures and pre-adoption counseling.
5. To provide information regarding the legal rights of adoptive parents and voice our support in preserving these rights. One such support is towards enforcing implementation of adoption leave across companies in the private sector in India.
6. To work in close association with adoption agencies to help them put together a transparent system for the process of adoption.
7. To support proposition of amendments to existing laws related to adoption such that more orphan children become legally eligible for adoption.
8. To gather volunteers who can counsel and guide prospective parents through pre-adoption and post-adoption.
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