There may come a moment in your international adoption journey when paperwork stops feeling like paperwork.
You receive information about a child.
A photo. A name. A medical history. A developmental report. Pieces of a story.
It can be an incredibly emotional moment, and that’s exactly why we encourage families to slow down, gather information, and make an informed decision before fully committing to a referral.
Learn as Much as You Can
KidsFirst International Adoption works hard to obtain as much reliable information as is reasonably available about a child.
Depending on the child’s circumstances and country of origin, that information may include:
- Prenatal and birth history
- Birth measurements
- Medical information
- Developmental information
- Known biological family medical history
- The child’s personal and social history
- Foster care information, when applicable
- Information from an orphanage or other caregiver
International adoption records can sometimes be limited, and not every question will have an answer. Still, we believe prospective parents deserve as much information as can reasonably be obtained.
Our in-country coordinators may also have opportunities to visit children and provide families with additional observations and information.
Consult an International Adoption Medical Expert
Before accepting a referral, we strongly encourage families to have the child’s available records reviewed by a medical professional experienced in international adoption.
KidsFirst can provide families with a list of medical resources to consider.
A medical consultation can help you better understand diagnoses, developmental information, potential future needs, and questions that may not immediately occur to you while reviewing the child’s records yourself.
Ask Questions—Lots of Them!!!
After reviewing the information with your medical professional and our team, there may be additional questions.
Ask them.
We can send appropriate questions to our in-country coordinator and seek additional information when available. In some circumstances, it may also be possible to arrange an independent medical evaluation of the child to help a family make a more informed decision.
We want you to have your questions addressed as thoroughly as possible before accepting a referral.
It’s Okay to Say, “This Isn’t the Right Match”
This can be one of the hardest parts of the conversation, but it is an important one. As an agency, we will give you our honest perspective—sometimes that means that we may suggest waiting for another referral.
Our goal is not simply to complete an adoption. Our goal is to support an adoption that is appropriate for both the child and the family.
Children who have already experienced loss and separation deserve families prepared to meet their needs. Moving forward with a referral when a family knows they are not equipped or prepared for that child’s needs can create additional challenges and potential trauma.
There is no judgment in recognizing that a particular situation is not the right fit.
We make ourselves available for virtual or in-person conversations so families can ask questions, talk through concerns, and receive the information they need to make a thoughtful decision.
Once a family is prepared to move forward, another exciting—and sometimes nerve-racking—part of international adoption gets closer:
Travel.
