We Are ON DECK PEOPLE!!!!! That means we are OFFICIALLY in the top ten and can start freaking out every single time the phone rings. Seriously people. Don't call me. I can't handle the stress! ;)

For all the juicy details, you can read the official letter below:
Dear James & Kelly,

I’m sure that your family is increasingly anxious and excited to receive your much anticipated referral. This email will answer many important questions you may have about the referral process, travel, and other important details relating to completing your adoption. I cannot overemphasize the importance of the following details, so please take the time to read through all of the information contained below.

Estimated Referral Timeframe

While there are many unknowns in the referral process, and this email gives no dates or guarantees, America World anticipates that your family could receive a referral within the next one to three months. Referrals arrive sporadically throughout the month. For this reason, families with the same DTE date frequently do not receive referrals at the same time. America World issues referrals as soon as a child’s paperwork is completed.

*This estimated timeframe does not apply to families who request to wait on a sibling set referral. Families requesting to wait on a young sibling referral will not receive an estimated wait time due to the lack of history and consistency in receiving these types of referrals. Please note that families requesting siblings ages 0-4 years could experience an unknown extended wait time.

Child Request Verification

Often families change their child request during the waiting stage. At this time, America World asks families to verify their current child request age and gender by emailing their family coordinator. If your family’s child request has changed since the dossier application letter, it is mandatory to inform your family coordinator to ensure your family receives a referral within your request. If your family’s new request is outside of your previous home study approval, you will need to contact your social worker to obtain a home study update with the appropriate approval. USCIS will also need to receive a homestudy update.

Families requesting to adopt siblings need to verify with their family coordinator whether they wish to wait on the siblings requested, or are open to a single child. If open to a single child, please specify the gender and age range. If waiting on siblings please re-verify your specific request and note we are unable to estimate wait times for these requests.

Referral Procedures

Though we do not know the exact timing of your referral, I would like to ensure that you are informed of America World’s referral procedures. When referrals arrive in our office, Family Coordinators first review and enter the children’s information into our database, and then make the much anticipated referral call! We desire to devote all of our time and attention to processing the referrals so that phone calls can be made as quickly as possible after taking care of certain paperwork pieces.

**Please email your Family Coordinator to verify contact information and phone call preferences, in advance, so that we are able to get in touch with you the day your referral arrives.



Referral Contents

While referral calls are being made, the America World staff works quickly to assemble the referral email that your family will receive shortly after your referral call. Each email includes the following:

Child’s Referral Information (Profile, Medical, Picture(s))
America World Acceptance/Rejection Statement
Referral Family Service Plan Agreement
Document Return Checklist
International Doctors Information


Should the child referred to you have any minor medical conditions, your Family Coordinator will relay this information to you during the referral call.


Acceptance Letters

Another aspect of the referral process to be familiar with is the Acceptance Letter timeframe; acceptance or rejection letters are due no later than a week after your referral call. It is recommended to get these letters into AWAA as soon as possible, as we cannot begin to process court dates and other pieces until this documentation is received. Our goal is to unite your family with your child as soon as possible. The sooner we receive acceptances, the sooner our agency will receive court dates.

Please know that if your family needs more time to review your child’s medical, you may certainly take that time. However, this may delay the timing of your family’s court date, which in turn could result in traveling at a later date.

The Acceptance Letter requires the signature of both parents. If you or your spouse is frequently out of town, you may want to look into obtaining “Power of Attorney” so that you can sign for your spouse in the event he or she is out of town.

Payment

At the time of your referral, there are three payments due: your final America World Program Fee, the post placement administrative fee ($385), and the 2nd half of the International program fee ($3750). The amount of your final program fee can be found on your America World Agreement which was signed when you were accepted into the Ethiopia Program. Your Family Coordinator will relay this information to you in your referral call.

You may pay these fees through the following methods:
Eternal Family Funds
Personal check
Personal credit card
Certain Grants


IMPORTANT: Please note the following concerning payments:

Shaohannah’s Hope Grants

Ø Shaohannah’s Hope requests that their grants be used to defray the cost of family’s in-country travel. Therefore, grants issued by Shaohannah’s Hope cannot be applied towards your final program fee.

Adoption Tax Credit

Ø Due to IRS tax regulations for the adoption tax credit, only payments made by check or personal credit card will be included on your tax receipt.

Tax-Deductible Donations

Ø Per IRS regulations, a family must register and qualify for America World’s Eternal Family Fund in order to receive tax-deductible donations towards their adoption from family and friends. Donations can be used towards any fees paid directly to America World – including program fees and in-country travel. However, all donations must be received prior to your family passing court. Only donations through the Eternal Family Fund are tax-deductible to the donor through America World. Please refer to our website for more information about the Eternal Family Fund, including eligibility guidelines (http://www.awaa.org/programs/eternalfamily.aspx)

Referral and Court Timeline


After America World has received a family’s acceptance letter, we will move forward to request a court date. Families will be notified of this court date roughly 2-5 weeks later. Currently court dates can range approximately 4-8 weeks after the referral has been officially accepted. Roughly 50% of families will pass court on the first issued date, while 50% of the cases will require a second court date for successful completion of court. Second court dates can be issued 1 to 8 weeks after an initial court date. Once a family has successfully passed court it can take 2-4 weeks to process post court paperwork. Once this paperwork is completed families can anticipate traveling 4-8 weeks later.

USCIS Renewals- Fingerprints & I-171H/797C

Families’ USCIS fingerprints, I-171H and homestudy must all be valid through the duration of your travel. Your USICS approval is set to expire on: 06/03/11 and your fingerprints are set to expire on: 02/24/11. Please contact your social worker to check on the expiration of your homestudy. If you have since updated these documents and this date does not correctly represent your new expiration date please let your family coordinator know. It is recommended that updates are completed roughly two months prior to expiration.

Your family will need to have completed any necessary fingerprints/I-171H/I-797C renewals and submit copies of these approvals to your Family Coordinator by the time that your family passes court. If your family’s proof of renewal is not received by this timeframe, your family’s travel may be delayed.


v As a reminder, USCIS fingerprints are valid for 15 months and I-171H/797C forms are valid for 18 months. You can reference your most recent I-171H/797C form for your expiration dates or contact your Family Coordinator if you have further questions on renewals or expiration dates.


We have seen time and time again how God’s timing for families’ referrals is perfect. He has chosen a child who is just right for your family. His hands are guiding the referral process, and I hope that very thought overwhelms you with peace as you continue waiting. Please let your Family Coordinator know if you have any questions or concerns regarding the referral process.


Blessings,

Ethiopia Program Staff