[mrmotivation]

We are just in the process of starting the adoption journey. In talking with the agency, we were talking about choosing a child in Russia. The lady from the agency said that we could choose any child we wanted from the photos/description who were over the age of 8.

Then she told us that we wouldn't be able to get photos of any of the kids below the age of 8 and that we would have to wait until we showed up in Russia.

Is this right? Does it sound right? Could someone maybe please explain the process to me?

Thanks everyone!

[thedreamer]

Then she told us that we wouldn't be able to get photos of any of the kids below the age of 8 and that we would have to wait until we showed up in Russia.

Really? I'v not heard of that I thought russia only did referrals.

I know Kazakhstan does travel to select, but I'v never heard of russia doing that. I could be wrong tho.

[kretzklan]

You can travel blind to a certain regions in Russia. That means you go there and meet a child that you haven't had information on previously. From what I believe to be true, you must make a decision on that child first. If you choose to adopt them, that part of your journey is over. If you have a reason to decline that child, you will meet another child in the same region. The children will, most of the time, meet the parameters you set forth (over the age of 8), however, that is not always the case. I know people who traveled to adopt an older child and ended up with toddlers. The process that your agency has told you about - choosing a child from a photo listing once in Russia is not correct from anything I have heard. That is the way the process works in the Ukraine...but not in Russia. Where did the age of 8 come from? Was that something you chose? If you didn't create this requirement, the agency cannot force you into that.
It sounds a little weird to me. I would do more checking with other agencies and get a feel for what most do. Be sure to find accredited agencies and do lots of homework!

[votemom]

this doesn't sound correct to me. i would ask for clarification.

as far as i know, all of russia works on the referral system. and many regions operate on the "blind" referral system - meaning you travel not knowing anything about the child you will meet.

if you don't think you are getting sound advice and solid information from your agency, now is the time to get a second opinion, so to speak.

good luck!

[ophelia72]

I just started also. My agency did not say that at all. We will be getting a photo and some medical prior to us traveling. For me something sounds funny. Also did you want to adopt and older child. My agency doesn't even recommend children older than nine. I really would seek more information

[MominPA]

The only thing I could think is that this agency has "waiting" older children whom they are trying to find homes for or they do have a hosting program and they are adovacating for some of the children who are still looking for their forever families.

We didn't travel blind when we adopted our children and had a picture and brief medical at time of referral.

[AngFL]

I was told that certain regions are now only doing blind referrals and some will still do pre-travel photo/medicals referrals, but not all. I think it really depends on what region you are dealing with individually.

If you do not like the process with that region, maybe another region would suit your needs/wants better.

We are looking into Moscow region and were told that it is a blind referral only region.

Good Luck.....it is very hard to sift through all the different information and things have changed since the new reform and accreditation stuff happened. Russia is now not letting out much info of the orphans prior to trip 1 travel....that is what I've gathered from various people/agencies, etc.--something to do with protecting the privacy.

[mrmotivation]

I don't know. Maybe I didn't hear her right according to most of you....which my wife would agree as she says that I don't listen to her either. HAHAHAHA!

I guess I will have to send her an e-mail again to see if it is done blindly or what part of the process do we get to choose. We are looking for two kids anywhere between the ages of 1-5.




Thanks!

[kretzklan]

Yes, something is definitely off. Since you didn't request a child around 8 years old...I can't understand the info you got. But, you may have the same disease my DH (and many others) have , so a follow up conversation would be great!

[DET62]

I would not e-mail. I would call. You need to ask probing questions. You need to sound assertive.

Often agencies will try and take advantage of people who are not savvy about the process, and it's always good to let them know you have lots of resources for information, besides just the agency.

Good luck!
Dee

P.S. If they are going to insist you have to travel blind, you should consider Kazakhstan. PM me if you'd like more info.

[mmarshall79]

Hello,
We too are in the process of choosing an agency and I've gotten wildly different answers from different agencies regarding the "how is a child referred to you question".

One agency said we could set forth as many parameters as we want i.e. a boy under 2 with blond hair and blue eyes. They also told us that we would get a referral with a picture and some medical info first and then be able to decide yes or no for that child. If you say no then they give you another referral.

Other agencies said they do only blind referrals and you can only specify which gender and age group and nothing else.

It is my understanding that in the Ukraine you travel and meet all the available children of that age group and are able to choose after meeting them.

In other words each country has their own set of rules and within that country each region has their own set and each agency has their set. It's a giant morass of information. I would actually ask your more important question in email as you will then have a paper trail of answers.

Good luck and please share what you find out.

[Katie63011]

The Ukraine does not work that way. You are given one referral from the NAC in Kiev and then travel to meet the child. If you turn down the referral, you back to Kiev and wait for another referral. The wait could be weeks or months for another referral.

[GCS]

In Russia the MOE (Minister of Education) in the region you are adopting from will select the child for your family based on your parameters.

It sounds to me like your agency has a group of waiting children over the age of 8 that are available. As these children are less likely to get adopted they are showing you their profiles for you to choose from. This does not garauntee that you will be able to adopt that child. Until you have traveled trip one and put your paperwork through accepting the referral the child is available. (technically the child isnt yours til after the adoption is complete trip 2, but thats another subject.) What I am saying is that just because your agency has this list of available children in this age group does not mean that other agencies do not have this as well. A list of available children is not exclusive to the agency.

From what you are saying it sounds like if you want a child under 8 you must travel blind with this agency.

If you are interested in adopting a young child from Russia one will not be referred to you until your dossier is in that region. Only older children and special needs children are generally on the "waiting children list".

I would agree with the others here and get clarification from your agency.

I, personally, would not have a problem traveling blind with an agency I trusted.

Good luck!

[cathvash]

Hi MrM, Yes, I would like to confirm that what GCS shared is correct. Some agencies are given permission to place older children or those with special needs through a "Waiting child" program that does not follow the usual process for child referrals. These "waiting children" are referred to the agency by the Minister of Education (MOE) in the region, and with this special process, they are usually allowed to provide much more information about the children, their health, their social (family) information, and pictures before you are even issued the child as a referral. (FYI -Be cautious about using the term "choosing a child"; the politically correct way to refer to this is "evaluating a referral".-Don't want you to get "flamed!")

The "usual" process, which you would follow for a younger child, is that you will submit your dossier, and a request letter to the MOE. This letter is VERY important, and it is here that you specify parameters for the child you would like to be matched with. You generally state requested age range, gender, physical characteristics preferred if any (the Russians do not find this odd, so if it is important to you, you can include it), and the specific health conditions you would be accepting of (or would NOT be able to accept). The regional MOE will evaluate your request, and will match you with the next child down the list who closely meets the parameters of your request.

You will be matched with a referral before you leave the States. Technically, all referrals these days are supposed to be "blind"- That means you will receive information about the child only after you travel to meet them. However, some agencies are still able to get hold of and pass along a picture or brief description/medical info. about a child before you travel. -It depends on the agency, and their contacts in the region. Once you arrive, you will be provided pictures, information, and a chance to meet the child and interview their doctors. You are generally allowed to pass this information on to medical consultants here in the States before you make a decision about whether to accept the referral, or decline and meet a second child.

I traveled "blind" for both of my adoptions, did sadly decline one referral in Russia, and now have two wonderful children! As others have said, ask your agency a lot of questions! Good luck!!