[royalt]

Hi,

I am wondering how the Colombian process works for children with special needs? Do I apply with my agency and send my dossier to the ICBF with a list of special needs that we would consider and then the ICBF matches? Any help or information would be appreciated. Thanks, Traci

[Sumerce]

I happened to speak with National Director of ICBF Adoptions about this issue back in February. I was concerned because many of the Colombian families are pursuing a Semi-Independent adoptions and therefore, do not access to agency waiting child lists. I will include a copy of a translation of the e-mail she sent me.

This is a translation of her response:

"Tell your Colombian families, that if they are interested in Special Needs children they can write me, personally, a letter (not an e-mail) in Spanish, that expresses their desire to adopt a Special Needs child and states specifically what kinds of needs they are interested in (Downs Syndrome, Blindness, Physically Correctable problems, Non-physically correctable issues, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, etc) also have them state the age range they are willing to adopt from. I will assign someone to review the cases of all of our special needs children to see if we have a child that matches or closely matches their request. We can then begin a correspondence between ICBF and the family regarding the adoption of that specific child."

Following this e-mail I spoke with her by telephone and she assured me that not only COlombian families, but foreign families would receive the same treatment and their processes would be expedited like those of Colombian families if they choose to adopt children on the special needs list.

I know that not everyone is interested in adopting a Special Needs child, but if you are considering this option -- this now allows you to take charge of your process and have even greater access to the complete Waiting Child list without the need to go to a specific agency.

I hope that this will help someone who may be considering a special needs adoption.

I want to add that for a foreign family without ability in Spanish, it may be better to contact an agency and have them help you -- but it is not necessary to do so first. As semi-independent adopters, we have learned that the process is not difficult and it is not a mystery. ICBF is super interested in finding great placements for Special Needs kids and they are willing to work with you.

If you want the address and name of the person to whom the Special Needs Inquiry is to be address, please pm me.

[vivismom]

Sumerce- I tried to PM you, but it wouldn't let me click on your name for some reason? Anyway, can you PM the information on to whom and where we would send such a letter? Thank you!

[vivismom]

Sorry, one more thing, does Colombia allow singles to adopt kids with special needs?