1. Welcome to the Adoption Journey! INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION

2. Bethany Christian Services unites more children and families through adoption than any other agency in the United States. Bethany was established in 1944 and has more than 80 offices in over 30 states. Bethany’s intercountry adoption program began in 1982. Bethany Christian Services

3. Decades of Experience Accreditation by: The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption ECFA COA Programs on five Continents Comprehensive Information, Guidance and Support Professional Staff Why Bethany?

4. Bethany Christian Services manifests the love and compassion of Jesus Christ by protecting and enhancing the lives of children and families through quality social services. Mission Statement

5. Our Children Individual Children Waiting Children Sibling Groups Children of All Ages Children Who Have Mild to Severe Needs: physical, emotional, and behavioral Children Who Have Been in Foster Care or Orphanages Since Infancy Great Care Is Taken to Match Children to Adoptive Families All Known Conditions Are Disclosed

6. AFRICA Ethiopia Individual Children Waiting Children Sibling Groups 3 Months - 15 Years Old Orphanages 6 - 8 Days of Travel

7. Ethiopia A F R I C A

8. ASIA ChinaHong Kong PhilippinesSouth KoreaTaiwan

9. China Hong Kong Philippines South Korea Taiwan ASIA

10. Individual Children Waiting Children 9 Months -15 Years Old Orphanages and Foster Care 12 - 20 Days of Travel China

12. Waiting Children Only 6 Months - 15 Years Old Orphanages, Foster Care, and Group Homes 4 - 7 Days of Travel Hong Kong

14. Individual Children Waiting Children Sibling Groups 3 - 15 Years Old Orphanages and Foster Care 4 - 7 Days of Travel The Philippines

15. Philippines

16. Infants: 6 months - 18 months Waiting Children: 6 months - 5 years old Primarily Foster Care 4 - 7 Days of Travel South Korea

18. Taiwan Individual Children Waiting Children Sibling Groups Infants - 14 Years Old Orphanages and Foster Care 4 – 7 Days of Travel

19. Taiwan

20. EASTERN EUROPE BulgariaLithuania RussiaUkraine

21. Bulgaria Lithuania Russia Ukraine EASTERN EUROPE

22. Bulgaria Individual Children Waiting Children Sibling Groups 12 Months - 15 Years Old Orphanages 2 Trips Required First Trip: 6 - 9 Days Second Trip: 10 - 12 Days

23. Bulgaria

24. Individual Children Waiting Children Sibling Groups 2 - 15 Years Old Foster Care and Orphanages 2 Trips Required First Trip: 10 Days Second Trip: 10 - 14 Days Lithuania

26. Individual Children Waiting Children Sibling Groups 18 Months - 15 Years Old Orphanages 2 Trips Required First Trip: 7 Days Second Trip: 21 - 28 Days Russia

28. Individual Children Waiting Children Sibling Groups 3 - 15 Years Old Orphanages 7 - 8 Weeks of Travel Ukraine

30. LATIN AMERICA Colombia Individual Children Waiting Children Sibling Groups 9 Months - 15 Years Old Orphanages and Foster Care 6 - 8 Weeks of Travel

31. Colombia LATIN AMERICA

32. Colombia

33. CARIBBEAN Haiti Individual Children Waiting Children Sibling Groups Infants - 6 Years Old Occasionally Older Orphanages 2 Trips Required 3 - 5 Days of Travel Each

34. Haiti CARIBBEAN

35. Haiti

36. 1.Information Meeting 2.Pre-application 3.Formal Application and Contract 4.Home Study 5.Immigration Process 6.Dossier 7.Referral 8.Travel 9.Post-Placement Process 10.Citizenship Step-by-Step Process

37. Bonding and Attachment Adjustment Grief and Loss Adoption Topics Unpredictable Process, Changes by Countries Limited Information About the Child and Birthparents Transcultural Issues Health Concerns

38. Local Bethany Staff Local Medical and Therapeutic Resources Support Groups Bethany’s Adoption Forums The Bethany Bookstore Adoption Resources

39. Costs Related to Intercountry Adoption Mailing, translations, overseas salaries, foster care, orphanage care, embassy fees, Bethany fees, court fees, travel, etc. Tax Credits: Federal and State Bethany’s Loan Programs Creative Financing Grants Adoption Finances

40. Complete the Free Online Preliminary Application For More Information: Ask Your Local Adoption Specialist Visit www.bethany.org/forums Order Books from Bethany’s Bookstore Talk to Other Adoptive Families www.bethany.org/prelim The Next Step 10/09