Top Adoption and Orphan Information Websites: U.S. State Department

Thinking of adopting a child from another country?  You will find an excellent guide to inter-country adoption on the U.S. State Department's Inter-Country adoption website.  The website provides up-to-date information on adoption requirements from many different countries.
Each year thousands of U.S. citizens adopt children from abroad, and many families in other countries adopt U.S. children.
Inter-country adoption is governed by both the laws of the country in which the child lives and the country in which the adoptive parents live. 
Under U.S. law, there are two distinct inter-country adoption processes: the Hague Convention process and the non-Hague Convention process. Which process you will follow will depend on whether or not the other country involved is also a party to the Hague Convention. This website guides you through and answers your questions about these processes.

Big Family Mission ministers to Russian orphans who may never have the chance to be adopted.

Top adoption and orphan information websites: Adoptive Families

Adoptive Families, the award-winning national adoption magazine, is a leading adoption information source for families before, during, and after adoption.
On the Adoptive Families website, you will find a wealth of information about adoption and may access some of the articles published in the printed version of Adoptive Families Magazine.  The website provides many links to adoption information, as well as sections about books, FAQs, groups, events, blogs, and experts on adoption.
The website also provides a listing of adoption professionals by state for those adopting in the USA.
The website gives you a "taste" of what Adoptive Families Magazine is all about.  Those who wish to learn more about adoption may wish to subscribe to the magazine.

Big Family Mission ministers to Russian orphans who may never have the chance to be adopted.

Fact Sheet for Families Considering Adoption from Foster Care

A fact sheet for foster parents considering adoption is available from the Child Welfare Information Gateway.  Click here to read the fact sheet on adoption from foster care.

Included in the fact sheet:

• Differences between foster parenting and adopting
• Advantages of foster parent adoption
• Strategies for foster/adoptive families

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (compiled in 2011):

• Approximately 408,000 children are in foster care in the United States, and it’s estimated that 107,000 are eligible for adoption.
• In FY 2010, about 53,000 children were adopted from foster care. Of those children:

○ 53 percent were adopted by foster parents.

○ 32 percent were adopted by other relatives.
○ 15 percent were adopted by nonrelatives.
• Of the parents who adopt from foster care, 67 percent are married couples and 28 percent are single-parent families.
• Of the children in foster care:
○ 43 percent are White.
○ 25 percent are African-American.
○ 21 percent are Hispanic.

Big Family Mission helps orphans in Russia who may never have chance to be adopted.

How much does adoption cost?

     A 2011 survey conducted by Adoptive Families Magazine indicates that adopting from foster care in the United States is by far the least expensive route for U.S. families considering adoption.  Their survey indicates "less than $5,000" ... but in many cases, the cost will be much less than that, depending upon your state of residence.  View survey results here.
     Our suggestion is that families interested in adoption should be aware of costs, but not include the cost as a factor in making decisions about how, when, where, and why to adopt.  Let God lead you in the direction He has planned for you and your family, and the finances will follow.
     For state adoption and foster care information, check out this website.

Russian orphans can be adopted in Russia with very little cost.  Big Family Mission
helps this family with some of their expenses.