As she anticipates the release of her documentary Hayden & Her Family, the filmmaker reconnects with the mother of 12 she profiled to discuss special needs adoption, parenting outside “normal” boundaries, and how loving a child changes you.
“Back to Bucaramanga” – Meeting My Daughter’s Birth Mother in Colombia
We set off on the 3,400-mile journey to meet my daughter’s birth mother in silence, our questions too big to put into words. In Colombia, communicating through an interpreter, but also through smiles, tears, embraces, and shared sensory experiences, all of us began to find answers.
TB and Adoption: What Parents Needs to Know
Many think of tuberculosis as a thing of the past, but it’s one of the top ten causes of death worldwide. Here, learn what TB tests your adoptive child might need.
News Brief: Transition to New Accrediting Entity for U.S. Adoption Service Providers Leads to Increase in Fees
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) released a new schedule of non-refundable accreditation fees to be shouldered by agencies and, ultimately, prospective families.
News Brief: Ethiopia Passes Law Banning Intercountry Adoption
Following a suspension of intercountry adoption in April 2017, Ethiopia passed formal legislation banning intercountry adoption in January 2018.
News Brief: Council on Accreditations (COA) Officially Withdraws as Accrediting Entity
The Council on Accreditations (COA) confirmed that it will withdraw as an accrediting entity at the end of 2018.
News Briefs: Rwanda Reopens, Ethiopia Processing Only Pending Adoptions
Read the latest about the Ethiopia adoption suspension and Rwanda’s intercountry adoption program reopening.
Ask AF: Encouraging a Cohesive Racial and Cultural Identity
“We have always tried to make sure our internationally adopted son feels proud of his heritage. This year, when the class was writing about Thanksgiving, he asked if he could skip the assignment because people from his birth country do not celebrate Thanksgiving. I know I need to talk to him, but I’m not sure where to start.”
News Brief: Council on Accreditations (COA) May Stop Accrediting Adoption Agencies
The Council on Accreditations (COA), which provides Hague accreditation for international adoption agencies in the U.S., may cease duties as an accrediting entity.
News Briefs: Intercountry Adoption Updates, October 2017
Read the latest about the Ethiopia adoption suspension and a recent reversal in international adoption statistics.
Book Review: Finding Miracles
This story of a teen adopted from Latin America tackles questions of identity, race, birth culture, and more.
Book Review: I Love You Like Crazy Cakes
A seven-year-old adoptee from China shares her thoughts on an illustrated children’s book about adoption.
Russian Adoption: A Brief History & What’s Behind the Current Media Attention
What ended Russia’s intercountry adoption program with the U.S. in 2013 and why is it generating political heat again?
News Brief: Ethiopia Adoption Suspension Still in Effect
Learn the latest on the Ethiopia suspension of intercountry adoptions.
News Brief: Further Decline in International Adoption Numbers, and Ongoing Challenges
In its 2016 annual report, the U.S. Department of State released the latest international adoption statistics, which have declined for the twelfth straight year, and outlined other countries’ most widely held concerns.
News Brief: Ethiopia Suspends Adoptions
In late April 2017, Ethiopia announced an immediate suspension of international adoptions.
News Brief: Call to Submit All Outstanding Post-Adoption Reports
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has designated May 15, 2017 “Post-Adoption Report Day” and issued a call for families that adopted internationally to submit any missing reports to their children’s countries of origin.
News Brief: Documenting Citizenship for Adopted Children
In response to an increase in inquiries about the citizenship status for international adoptees, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released an adoption notice about obtaining or documenting citizenship.
“Awake at Last”
Sometimes love comes easy. Other times, it must be earned. This is the story of how I let go of my preconceived ideas about bonding and motherhood and became brave enough to trust my heart.
News Brief: Adoptee Deported to Colombia
Following Adam Crapser’s deportation to Korea in October 2016, a woman adopted from Colombia as a child was deported in December. She was forced to leave behind her young son.