ETHIOPIA ADOPTION

'Ethiopia Adoption / Ethiopian Adoption'
The adoption of children by US citizens or citizens from other countries has been growing steadily since the late 1990s. Families wishing to adopt a child from Ethiopia must complete a homestudy and prepare a dossier. It is necessary to work with an adoption agency who will submit the family's paperwork to the Ethiopian government for approval. The adoption committee of the Ethiopian (CYFAD) will review the family's file and determine eligibility. Couples and single women are allowed to adopt from Ethiopia.
Once the family is approved to adopt from Ethiopia, their adoption agency will arrange the referral, or assignment, of a child or children. After the family accepts the referral of a child, the adoption agency will handle the rest of the paperwork and red tape in Ethiopia. Once paperwork is complete, families may travel to Ethiopia to get the child, or the agency will escort the child to the U.S. to the family.
U.S. citizens must work with the Ethiopian governmental central authority, the Children, Youth and Family Affairs Department (CYFAD) which is under the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Americans who wish to adopt also must work closely with the U.S. government to complete the necessary paperwork to obtain a U.S. immigrant visa for their child.
Before families commit any adoption agency or adoption facilitator, they are encouraged to do their research. Due to the increase in Ethiopian adoption since 2005, more agencies have begun programs in Ethiopia, and are working on getting licensure. Families should verify that their agencies are indeed licensed in Ethiopia before committing to the agency.
Choosing the right agency is critical for a successful adoption. Recently CWA, Christian World Adoption, was involved in a controversial and ongoing switch of 3 children involving 2 families. CWA has also had several complaints filed with the BBB against them concerning recent adoptions in Ethiopia.
Some of the U.S. adoption agencies approved by the Ethiopian government to complete international adoptions of Ethiopian children (source: http://adoption.com) are:
'Adoptions Advocates International'
709 S. Peabody
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: 360-452-4777
Email: merrily@adoptionadvocates.org
http://www.adoptionadvocates.org
'Americans for African Adoptions, Inc'.
8910 Timberwood Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46234-1952
Phone: 317-271-4567
Fax: 317-271-8739
Email: amfaa@aol.com
http://www.africanadoptions.org
'Children's Home Society & Family Services'
1605 Eustis Street
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 651-646-6393
Fax: 651-646-0436
Email: info@chsm.com
http://www.chsm.com
'Dove Adoptions International, Inc.'
180 North Main Street, Suite A
Banks, Oregon 97106
Phone: 503-324-9010
Fax: 503-324-9080
http://www.adoptions.net
'Gladney Center for Adoption'
6300 John Ryan Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76132
Toll free: 800-452-3639
Phone: 817-922-6088
Fax: 817-922-5955
Email: info@gladney.org
http://www.gladney.org
'Wide Horizons for Children, Inc.'
38 Edge Hill Road
Waltham, MA 02451
Phone: 781-894-5330
Fax: 781-899-2769
Email: info@whfc.org
http://www.whfc.org

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External links

External links

★ Intercountry Adoption Ethiopia - Informational page created by the U.S. Department of State

★ Ethiopian Adoption Blog - Informational blog about all facets of Ethiopian adoption, created by Adoption.com.

★ [1] - International Herald Tribune on Efficient adoptions attract U.S. couples to Ethiopia