Hi everyone,
I hope that you are well!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Rob and Laurie - they've received their final travel
approval to adopt their daughter! She will be coming home shortly!
Exciting news from the waiting child program!
We have two pieces of good news from the waiting child program this
month. First, we are very pleased to have hired Rebecca "Becki" Buck as
our Waiting Child Matching Coordinator. Becki has over 10 years of
experience matching children and families from the U.S. foster care
system. We're very excited that she's lending her expertise with
children with special needs to the China program! Second, we were very
excited to receive referrals of 8 waiting children in August. These are
designated referrals, which means that the children were referred only
to Welcome House. Two of the children have been matched and we are
seeking families for 6 others. Becki is putting together write-ups
about each of the children right now. I'll forward them around in a
separate email as soon as they're ready. Stay tuned!
U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou slightly changes visa process for children
At the end of August we received notification from the U.S. Consulate in
Guangzhou regarding a slight modification in the visa issuance process
for children. In the past, families' paperwork was submitted to the
Consulate one day and then the families went to the Consulate the
following day for the oath-taking ceremony and to pick up the visas.
Beginning on October 1, 2009 the process will include one extra day.
Families' paperwork will be submitted the first day, families will go to
the Consulate the second day for the oath-taking ceremony, and then on
the afternoon of the third day the guides will pick up the children's
visas. This will mean that families will need to stay in Guangzhou for
one extra day.
Important notice for families finalizing or refinalizing their adoption
in Bucks County
In August we heard from the Orphans Court of Bucks County that they now
want to see a home study update that is less than one year old at the
time of the adoption hearing. Because so many families have been having
home study updates completed in order to maintain CIS approval, this
change may not affect every family. However, once your child is home
and you notify us of your intention to (re)finalize your adoption in
Bucks County, we will check your records to determine whether you will
need another home study update. (Please note: It is not required that
you (re)finalize your adoption in Bucks County. You may do so either in
your county/state of residence or in Bucks County.)
CCAA's website updated
I apologize that I am late sharing this information with you this month;
the website was updated while I was out of the office. CCAA's website
has been updated to reflect that families whose dossiers were registered
on or before October 31, 2007 have been reviewed. Congratulations to
our 10/9/07 dossier group - their dossiers have now been approved!
Also, families whose dossiers have been registered on or before March
24, 2006 have received referrals.
International Day
Don't forget that this Sunday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. is PSBI's annual
International Day celebration. There will be international performers
(many of them are new this year!), food from around the world (including
the U.S.), face painting, moon bounce, rides, crafts for the children,
bingo, a seeing eye dog training demonstration and lots more. The cost
is $20 per carload. For more information go to
www.pearlsbuck.org/internationalday.
As always, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me
or your Adoption Coordinator.
Take care,
Heather
