Important Grant Updates, Deadlines, Coaching and more

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Sponsor Spotlight

Please take a moment to check out our Sponsors. They are here to help you!
World Association for Children and Parents
WACAP (World Association for Children and Parents) is one of the largest and most experienced international nonprofit adoption and child assistance agencies in the United States.

 

 

 

Hopscotch Adoptions
Hopscotch's belief is that each child has the right to a lifelong, loving family. Hopscotch is dedicated to helping children in need of families, through both humanitarian efforts and adoption into permanent, loving homes.

 

 

 

Madison Adoption Associates
There are no unwanted children ...just unfound families.

 

 

 

The Pure Charity Builds World Class Technology Solutions for Individual Fundraising, Community Advocacy and Nonprofit Organizations.  We know Adoption Fundraising is not easy, so we created some simple tools that have helped hundreds of families raise money for their adoption costs. There is no paperwork to fill out, no application to complete, and no waiting period.  Get started right today!

 

 

Bills Tax Service
Adoption Tax Credit Specialist - No matter what adoption tax questions you have, Bills is always right there to guide you. They offer personalized service to each client family. Contact them today!
Phone: 618-532-7223      www.billstaxservice.com

• Pure Charity
• World Association for Children and Parents
• Hopscotch Adoptions
• Wasatch Adoptions
• America's Christian Credit Union
• Independent Adoption Center
• Bills Tax Service
• Adoption Airfare
• Agape Adoptions
• Children's House International
• Jennifer Fairfax
• Redlogic Communications, Inc.

Important Grant Updates:

Hope Grafted In - Hurry and turn in your application for Hope Grafted In! They are only taking applications until December 1, 2015. After that, this program will be suspended until they can raise more funds.

One Less Ministry is only taking applications through December 31, 2015. After that, this program will be redirecting funds to human trafficking prevention and no longer offering adoption grants.

A Child Waits Foundation just published its brand new website! Families are now able to get both the grant and loan applications from their website and there is no longer a pre-qualification step in their process.  Anyone who believes that they meet their general criteria as stated on their website can send in an application. A Child Waits Foundation grant and loans are for international adoptions only.  They do NOT have any marital or religious criteria to apply. Check out their new website today and see if you qualify to apply!

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

December Grant Deadlines:

• Global Orphan Foundation - Dec. 1
• Help Us Adopt - Dec. 11
• Adoption Hope Foundation - Dec 15 (Connecticut Families Only)
• National Adoption Foundation - Dec 15 (We cannot recommend this one.)
• One Less Ministries - Dec. 31
• Show Hope - Dec. 31
• Love Has Come - Dec. 31

Find more updates on our Facebook Page

 

Which Grants Are The Best Fit For Your Family?

Get Complete Application Criteria for Each Grant Here:

Please check our website for more information about The Adoption Finance Toolkit.  Quickly find what you need to help fund your adoption with our comprehensive database of Adoption Grants and Loans.

 

Need Help Clearing Up The Confusion of Adoption Grants?

Individualized Consulting and Personalized Coaching:

These services will offer personalized support for YOUR family to help you sort through the complicated and sometimes confusing world of adoption funding. There are limited appointments available for these services.

Contact Cherri Walrod today to schedule your appointment. 
cherri@resources4adoption.com or cherri.walrod@gmail.com

Partner with Us!

Welcome to our New Sponsors: 

 

Madison Adoption Associates

Madison Adoption Associates is a Hague accredited, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to bring hope, love, and a permanent family to children in need.
Our agency began in 1981 with a mother's love and desire to raise an adoptive family. Today, although we still operate as a smaller agency, we are one of the largest independent non-profit international placement agencies.

 

Wasatch International Adoptions

Domestic and International Adoptions

They specialize in both domestic and international adoption programs and child assistance programs.  They have placed thousands of children with families across the United States.  Wasatch is a full service COA/Hague accredited, non-profit, 501 (c)3 agency, licensed in 1997.
Are you an adoption agency or adoption related business? Want to position your services and brand in front of adoptive hopefuls nationwide? Help us reach more adoptive families with the hope and help they need to fund their adoptions. Contact Cherri Walrod for more information on becoming a sponsor today. Email: cherri@resources4adoption.com or cherri.walrod@gmail.com

What Do Adoptees Have To Say About Adoption?

See video.

Conan Visits Armenia

Conan learns an Armenian folk dance, and in return, teaches the dancers the ol' American razzmatazz.

See video.

Conan Visits Armenia

Conan learns about the intricate art of rug-making in Armenia—in the most awkward way possible.

See video.

Conan Visits Armenia

Conan promised Sona's family he'd find her an Armenian husband, but the pickings are a bit slim.

See video.

Conan Visits Armenia

Conan & his assistant Sona drop by a Yerevan market to pick up everything from dried apricots to "Armenian Viagra."

See Video.

Older Child Adoption: A Different Perspective Imagine for a moment…

A Different Perspective Imagine for a moment… You have met the person you’ve dreamed about all your life. He has every quality that you desire in a spouse. You plan for the wedding, enjoying every free moment with your fiancée. You love his touch, his smell, the way he looks into your eyes. For the first time in your life, you understand what is meant by “soul mate,” for this person understands you in a way that no one else does. Your heart beats in rhythm with his. Your emotions are intimately tied to his every joy, his every sorrow. The wedding comes. It is a happy celebration, but the best part is that you are finally the wife of this wonderful man. You fall asleep that night, exhausted from the day’s events, but relaxed and joyful in the knowledge that you are next to the person who loves you more than anyone in the world…the person who will be with you for the rest of your life.

The next morning you wake up, nestled in your partner’s arms. You open your eyes and immediately look for his face. But it’s not him! You are in the arms of another man. You recoil in horror. Who is this man? Where is your beloved? You ask questions of the new man, but it quickly becomes apparent that he doesn’t understand you. You search every room in the house, calling and calling for your husband. The new guy follows you around, trying to hug you, pat you on the back. . .even trying to stroke your arm, acting like everything is okay. But you know that nothing is okay. Your beloved is gone. Where is he? Will he return? When? What has happened to him? Weeks pass. You cry and cry over the loss of your beloved. Sometimes you ache silently, in shock over what has happened. The new guy tries to comfort you. You appreciate his attempts, but he doesn’t speak your language-either verbally or emotionally. He doesn’t seem to realize the terrible thing that has happened...that your sweetheart is gone.

You find it difficult to sleep. The new guy tries to comfort you at bedtime with soft words and gentle touches, but you avoid him, preferring to sleep alone, away from him and any intimate words or contact. Months later, you still ache for your beloved, but gradually you are learning to trust this new guy. He’s finally learned that you like your coffee black, not doctored up with cream and sugar. Although you still don’t understand his bedtime songs, you like the lilt of his voice and take some comfort in it. More time passes. One morning, you wake up to find a full suitcase sitting next to the front door. You try to ask him about it, but he just takes you by the hand and leads you to the car. You drive and drive and drive. Nothing is familiar. Where are you? Where is he taking You pull up to a large building. He leads you to an elevator and up to a room filled with people. Many are crying. Some are ecstatic with joy. You are confused. And worried. The man leads you over to the corner. Another man opens his arms and sweeps you up in an embrace. He rubs your back and kisses your cheeks, obviously thrilled to see you. You are anything but thrilled to see him. Who in the world is he? Where is your beloved? You reach for the man who brought you, but he just smiles (although he seems to be tearing up, which concerns you), pats you on the back, and puts your hand in the hands of the new guy.

The new guy picks up your suitcase and leads you to the door. The familiar face starts openly crying, waving and waving as the elevator doors close on you and the new guy. The new guy drives you to an airport and you follow him, not knowing what else to do. Sometimes you cry, but then the new guy tries to make you smile, so you grin back, wanting to “get along.” You board a plane. The flight is long. You sleep a lot, wanting to mentally escape from the situation. Hours later, the plane touches down. The new guy is very excited and leads you into the airport where dozens of people are there to greet you. Light bulbs flash as your photo is taken again and again. The new guy takes you to another guy who hugs you. Who is this one? You smile at him. Then you are taken to another man who pats your back and kisses your cheek. Then yet another fellow gives you a big hug and messes your hair. Finally, someone (which guy is this?) pulls you into his arms with the biggest hug you’ve ever had. He kisses you all over your cheeks and croons to you in some language you’ve never heard before. He leads you to a car and drives you to another location. Everything here looks different. The climate is not what you’re used to. The smells are strange. Nothing tastes familiar, except for the black coffee.

You wonder if someone told him that you like your coffee black. You find it nearly impossible to sleep. Sometimes you lie in bed for hours, staring into the blackness, furious with your husband for leaving you, yet aching from the loss. The new guy checks on you. He seems concerned and tries to comfort you with soft words and a mug of warm milk. You turn away, pretending to go to asleep. People come to the house. You can feel the anxiety start to bubble over as you look into the faces of all the new people. You tightly grasp the new guy’s hand. He pulls you closer. People smile and nudge one other, marveling at how quickly you’ve fallen in love. Strangers reach for you, wanting to be a part of the happiness. Each time a man hugs you, you wonder if he will be the one to take you away. Just in case, you keep your suitcase packed and ready.

Although the man at this house is nice and you’re hanging on for dear life, you’ve learned from experience that men come and go, so you just wait in expectation for the next one to come along. Each morning, the new guy hands you a cup of coffee and looks at you expectantly. A couple of times the pain and anger for your husband is so great that you lash out, sending hot coffee across the room, causing the new guy to yelp in pain. He just looks at you, bewildered. But most of the time you calmly take the cup. You give him a smile. And wait. And wait. And wait.

How would each of us handle all these changes? How would this impact us for the rest of our lives?

Written by Cynthia Hockman-Chupp, Cynthia is an adoptive parent like many of us. She was a longtime school teacher for a variety of grades who has a website on dealing with attachment issues: www.a4everfamily.org  Analogy courtesy of Dr. Kali Miller.

Congratulations and welcome to this thing called family. If you have just adopted your first, or even your 5th, there is a period of time that everyone needs to get to know one another and adjust to the new dynamics of a changed family. Each adopted child will come with their own set of experiences and coping strategies and we as parents come with the same. The mix of the two is what makes it unique to each family and oh so interesting! We hope this guide will give you a starting point on realizing what your particular families’ normal is and ways to get help and reach out if things just don’t quite seem right. There are many other adoptive families with whom you can connect, who share similar experiences, and who have learned what worked and what did not for their families. If you are struggling with your placement, a first call might be to your social worker. Call a friend who has adopted, join a local support group or head online to a number of e-lists that can be specific to the place your child is from or the circumstances of your placement. The most important thing is to reach out. Connect. Share. If things are tough, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There is no shame in asking for help. Every person who contributed to this guide has reached out at some point in their parenting journey. They discovered that this parenting job can be challenging and daunting as well as rewarding and enriching. And it is a journey that is best not taken alone. Carrie Kitze Adoptive Mom, Publisher EMK Press you?

Did you adopt in 2014 or 2015? Help prospective parents by taking Adoptive Families' survey

 Did you adopt a child in 2014 or 2015? If so, please share the cost and timing of your adoption by taking our survey. Start off this National Adoption Awareness Month by providing prospective adoptive families with up-to-date information.

Each year, Adoptive Families polls readers to get the real story on the average cost and length of time it takes to complete an adoption. We frequently hear from families just starting out in adoption that the final survey results are immensely helpful to them. See results from previous years >

We’re pleased to once again offer a special giveaway to encourage more families to share their adoption experiences. If more than 1,000 parents who adopted in 2014 or 2015 complete this year’s survey, we will randomly select one participant and donate $250 to the adoption organization of his or her choice!

Take our Adoption Cost & Timing Survey ►

National Adoption Month: We never outgrow the need for a family

Don't forget November is National Adoption Awareness Month. This year, the focus is on older youth adoption. Clearly, we never outgrow the need for family. In this spirit, special discounts are offered to help families either explore adopting an older child or better meet the needs of the child they are already parenting.

Click here to explore our discounted courses and webinars.

Grant Waiting: "We have seen her smile, heard her voice and felt her touch"

Our family knows Eden.  We have seen her smile, heard her voice, and felt her touch.  One of us used to sleep right next to her for years, bonded to her like a sister.  This is why, as a family, we have been raising funds toward an agency grant for Eden to help alleviate the costs of adoption for a yet-to-be-found family who will eventually bring her home and provide her with the love, stability, support and medical treatments she needs.

Over the summer, we had a yard sale and also sold things at local consignment stores.  Friends and family donated items they no longer needed for us to use for this purpose.  Thank you to all who gave and made this fundraiser possible and to my cousin Maria for all of her help.  Along with a few additional cash donations, we raised $550.  The money has been paid into an agency grant fund designated for Eden at Hopscotch Adoptions and will be provided to the family committed to adopting Eden after a successful registration trip.

Read more.

Time To Register For This Week's Webinar On Sensory Integration

New Webinar This Week: Thursday, November 5: Sensory Integration and Self-Regulation: Tips for Parenting Sensational Kids

Thursday, November 5, 2015: 7:00 PM Central

REGISTER NOW

Does your child struggle with sensory and/or self-regulation issues?

When you don't know how kids process incoming sensory data, or how it can overload or underwhelm them, it makes for challenging moments as a parent. When overwhelmed, kids can be prone to emotional outbursts. When under-stimulated, they may withdraw get distracted.

But once you realize what is happening and why, you can intercede to help your child balance things out.

Join Clinical Pediatric Psychologist Dan Griffith, Ph.D, as he provides real-life examples so you can:

• Identify different types of common sensory/regulatory difficulties
• Work through stresses these difficulties may have on your parent/child relationship
• Learn intervention strategies to help your family thrive

Click here to learn more and register.