Welcome to Great Wall’s waiting child forum. This forum is intended to provide current and updated information about Great Wall’s Waiting Child Program, provide adoption education resources and adoptive family stories for you to enjoy.

Last year we placed almost 160 children through the waiting child program. We are very happy to say many of our families are working on or inquiring about adopting again through this wonderful program.

Keep your immigration paperwork current!  If your I-171H/I-797C is expired, please consider renewing your paperwork.  If your immigration paperwork is not up to date when you are matched with a child, this could SIGNIFICANTLY delay your travel.  We have seen some families have to wait at least 4 extra months to travel for their child when trying to obtain a valid home study and clearance.

If you are not signed up with an agency or working on your dossier yet, it would be best to start this process as soon as possible.  I know some families are waiting for when they find their child to begin, however, it can take up to a year to complete a dossier and travel.  This is a long time for your child to wait! 

For both of the above circumstances, it is important to note that when I am looking for the best possible placement for any child, it is always in the child’s best interest to be able to come home as soon as possible.  Priority will always be given to families who are already logged-in AND have a current immigration approval or families who are in the dossier phase with an already completed home study. 

Keep your waiting child application current!  I know it may seem redundant to repeat the application every six months.  This is the best way for me to keep up with the needs you are willing to consider as well as to reiterate your continued interest in the program.  Older applications are not deleted; however priority is given to applications that are less than 6 months old.

Submitting an application does not guarantee we will find your child.  We know that submitting the application is one more way you are opening up your hearts and becoming vulnerable in this international adoption process.  Our hope is that we will find a family for every child and a child for every family.  However, this doesn’t always happen through the Waiting Child route, and not every family will find their child this way.  Please know we always keep every family in mind, and if there is a child who just may be your little one, we will certainly give you a call.

Greetings everyone,

The February 2010 Edition of our Angels of Hope Newsletter is now available online at:

http://www.gwca.org/files/wc_newsletter/february2010/

Enjoy and happy reading!

Sincerely,

Great Wall China Adoption

Many of our families have questions about the Waiting Child file review process.  Today, we would like to share the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

1. What is the difference between the shared list and Great Wall’s list of children?  The shared list is accessible to all agencies with a Waiting Child program.  This means that multiple agencies are advocating for these children and trying to find their families.  The Great Wall list is only accessible to Great Wall.  We are the only agency seeking homes for these children.
2. Are the costs different for the Waiting Child program?  Great Wall’s agency fees are the same for all families.  If you are matched with a child prior to your dossier being submitted to China, the dossier registration and wiring fee is slightly less.  The CCAA does charge an additional fee for each family who proceeds with a Waiting Child.  This $100 fee will be assessed once we submit your paperwork to the CCAA.  You may also experience additional travel costs (see #13).  There are many organizations that offer grants and financial assistance for families who adopt special needs or older children.  Most states will have an adoption reimbursement program.  Also, Great Wall has a donation fund called “Every Child” to help sponsor some of our harder to place children.  The donations from this fund are applied towards the adoption expenses of some of our children. 
3. How can I gain access to see the list of children available?  Once you have submitted an application, you will be given a password to view our photo listing.  We do not post a listing of all of the children from the shared list due to the large number of children on this list.  Great Wall is also an active member on Rainbowkids.com.  All of the children from our agency list are posted on this site.
4. Does my home study have to approve me for special needs to be considered for a Waiting Child?  Not initially.  We do highly recommend you discuss your intentions with your social worker to ensure s/he would approve you for a special needs child once you were matched.  Some home study agencies will require additional training or classes for this approval.  Your home study must approve you for the parameters of your child prior to traveling to pick up your child.  Any updated or amended home studies must be submitted through the National Benefits Center and forwarded to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou. 
5. How long will it be until I receive a referral?  This depends solely on what you are open to.  The age, gender, and special needs of the children who are waiting for families changes on a continual basis.  The more open you are, the more likely it is we will be able to find your child.  We do not match children with families in any particular order.  Our ultimate goal is always to find the absolute best possible placement for the child.  The application does not guarantee we will find a match for your family through the waiting child program.  Not every family who submits an application will receive a call about a child.  Some families will receive their referral through the regular program before a good match is found in the Waiting Child program.
6. How does the matching process work?  My first and primary job function is to review children’s files who are currently on the list and search for families whose applications stated they would be ok with the child’s needs.  If there is a potential match, the family is contacted with additional information about the children.  The children you see posted on the photo listings are children whose needs do not match any family’s application.  I post their information in the hopes that a family may read about them and be willing to consider that child’s need.  Again, we do not match children with families in any particular order, but always match in the best interests of the child.
7. My doctor has additional questions.  Can we obtain this information? When a family reviews a file, they are provided with EVERYTHING that is currently available on that child.  There is no additional information readily available; however we can always ask the CCAA any questions your physician or family may have.  We then have to rely on the CCAA and the orphanage to provide this information.  We cannot guarantee additional information will be provided.  The length of time it will take to obtain updates depends on what the orphanage can and will provide.  If your doctor recommends additional testing or exams be completed, this nearly always impossible.  The orphanage is responsible for the cost of all exams, testing and care for the children.  They do not always have the means for extra medical information.  If we are asking for updated growth and development statements, sometimes we can receive this information in just a few days, but again, this depends on the CCAA and the orphanage.  It is important to keep in mind, however, that if the child is on the shared list, their file may be being reviewed by another family at another agency.  The child may have another family commit to them prior to getting our questions answered.
8. I see multiple children on your photo listing our family may be interested in learning about.  Can we review their files? Great Wall’s policy is to provide one family with only one child’s file at any given time.  We believe that each child deserves individual attention when their files are being considered.  If you are interested in multiple children, I would be happy to discuss each child’s information in more detail, and then you can let me know which child may be a better fit in your family.  We also provide a child’s file to only one family at a time.  If you are reviewing a child’s file, you are the ONLY Great Wall family with that child’s information.
9. What does “locking the file” mean? Locking the file is when you decide you would like to fully commit to bringing the child home and into your family.  I then open the child’s file, and type in your family’s name and log-in information.  Once I do this, it pulls the child’s file from the shared agency list and shifts their file to a list only I can see.  Once the child’s file is locked, we have 48 hours to submit the formal application for that child.  The formal application includes a letter of intent, parent information sheet, and family photos.  As long as we submit this information within the 48 hour timeframe, the child’s file permanently remains off of the shared list and in process for your family. 
10. I was reviewing a child’s file from the shared list, and now I am being told they are no longer available.  How does this happen?  The files of the children on the shared list are available at all times to all agencies.  We cannot pull a child’s file from the list until you are 100% committed to bringing that child home.  We have no way to know if a child’s file has been provided to another family from another agency.  It is possible that a family from another agency could agree to move forward before you do.  I watch the list continually when files are being reviewed and will let you know should the child’s file become unavailable.
11. I was reviewing a child’s file that became unavailable and is now available again.  How does that happen? The CCAA clearly states that agencies are not to lock a child’s file until a family has fully committed to the child.  We must agree to this code of conduct every time we log-in to the CCAA’s database.  Great Wall strictly adheres to this regulation.  However, some agencies will lock a child’s file while the family reviews the information.  The family may choose to not move forward, or is not able to make a decision and submit paperwork before the 48 hours is up.  If a letter of intent is not submitted, the child’s file comes unlocked and is available again on the shared agency list.
12. If I commit to a specific child, how long will it take to travel?  Most families will travel in 7-9 months.  This timeframe depends on where your dossier is at in the review process.  If your dossier is not yet submitted to the CCAA, this timeframe will begin once your dossier is logged-in. 
13. Do we travel alone or in a group? Most often, you will be with other families while you are in Beijing and Guangzhou (the beginning and end of your trip).  Because the children in the Waiting Child program are from all over China and families’ paperwork is processed at different times, it is possible your family will be the only one in province.  It is important to note that if you are the only family traveling in your child’s province, your fees will be higher, as fewer people are covering the cost of the guides and transportation.  For more information on this, please contact your Great Wall case manager.

Many children were added to the shared list last week, so this last week and a half has been very busy.  We are extremely excited to say that we have helped 25 children find their families so far this year! Let’s hope the number of children on their way home continues to grow!

For children on the shared agency list, families must be within 3 months of completing their dossier to be matched.  You must also have a Waiting Child application on file with GWCA in order to obtain more information about any of the children.  If you do not have an application on file, you may submit one at http://www.gwca.org/node/254.

Stephanie has worked to compile another small photo listing of children added to the shared list on 1/19.  Please note these children’s files were available at the time she compiled and posted the list.  As always with the shared list, children can become unavailable at any time.

To view the list, you may go to http://www.gwca.org/node/251 and log-in with your family’s individual password.  This was emailed to you when y our application was submitted.

If you have any difficulties, please contact Stephanie at stephanie@gwca.org.

As always with the shared list, children are coming and going constantly!  Stephanie is still calling people and looking for potential matches, but as always there are children whose needs are outside of any family’s parameters.

Please note these children are on the shared agency list, so we cannot guarantee they will still be waiting for their families after sending this email.  Also, if you are not already a GW client, you must be able to submit the formal application and contract within 24 hours.  If you do not have a log-in date, you must be able to complete a dossier within 3 months. 

 If you would like information on any of the children below, please email Stephanie at stephanie@gwca.org.

1. Z was born July, 2009 and has severe hypospadias.  He likes doing passive gymnastic exercises with the help of auntie. Whenever he sees caretakers taking a milk bottle and passing by without feeding him he will cry ceaselessly, likes taking bath, sitting in bathtub and he is very lovely and enjoyable.
2. J was born June, 2009 and has an abnormal brain CT (widening of outer space in brain).  She is extroverted and cute and restless, likes noisy environments, likes to listen to music and watch TV.  She is a bit afraid strangers, she will show the angry expression when being cuddled by strangers, likes having bath, she is quiet when having bath, likes to be cuddled, has quick response, is full of energy, sometimes she is impatient and especially likes watching TV, she is close to the caretaker.
3. D was born March, 2009 and had an abnormal brain CT (Anterior interhemispheric cistern widened) and is small for his age.  He has normal intellectual development. He has a quick reaction and is a busy boy. Now he can roll over and raise his head up. He can sit for a while with support. He can raise his head up but his body still leans forward a little bit. He does not like to be confined to the crib and always cries for people to hold him up and play with him.
4. J was born March, 2009 and has cleft palate and is post-operative for CHD (Congenital VSD; Secondary severe PH; Congenital overriding aorta).  At 6 months, he could keep  head raise and look around, tell the difference between familiar and stranger, turn head when being called, understand facial expression, love to be teased and go out to play
5. H was born February, 2009 and has abnormal contractures in the joints in her wrists and ankles. She can smile and laugh aloud, express her feeling with crying, utter tiny vowels and guttural sounds, can shout loudly and murmur, sound directed at people and objects, grasp and hold the toys put into her hands for a while, look attentively at her own small hands when lying on bed, want to eat the food she sees.
6. Y was born February, 2009 and has bilateral microtia. He loves outdoors, and to look around with his big eyes.  He turns to find caretakers during playing the hide and seek.  He would play with caretaker, if cover a handkerchief on his face, he would take it down and smile, rely on the caretaker very much.
7. Y was born November, 2008 and has bilateral clubbed feet and a corrected VSD.  He would put a toy into his mouth to chew, drink milk or water while holding the bottle. He likes being cuddled and played with. He knows his acquaintances and is not afraid of being with strangers.
8. L was born October, 2008 and has bilateral clubbed feet and hands.  She has had surgery on her feet, but will probably need more intervention.  At 10 moths old, she mimicked people’s sound. We gave her physical therapy and she gets more flexible and soft hands. Now, she can call the names of the people she knows and the names of the things. She can hold things with both hands. She sits on her own well.
9. H was born September, 2008, has a cleft palate, post-operative for cleft lip, 2 underdeveloped toes and underdeveloped/fused fingers on both hands.  His development has been on target.  He knows the meaning of no, is interested in his environment and wants to see and touch everything.
10. W was born August, 2008 and is pre-operative for bilateral III degree cleft lip and palate.  He likes the best to stand by the toy shelf and play, touching this toy and knocking the other. He likes to throw the toys on the shelf off on the ground with a big smile. He likes to play hide and seek. When the grandma takes the blanket off his face, he will be very happy and excited, making sound vocal sound. if the grandma shows an unhappy face, he will purse his lips, as if going to cry.
11. Z was born in August, 2008 and is post-operative for spina bifida.  It is noted he has continence issues as well.  He would smile at you when you approach him. If you do not cuddle him, he would cry, if you talk to him, he would babble. He is able to roll over from supine to prone position and hold up his head while lying prone. He would crawl towards and grasp bright color toys to play.
12. T was born August, 2008 and had an abnormal hearing test (Left ear: 90 dBSPL; right ear: 60dBSPL).  at 5-6 months, he could support to raise upper body, has the facial expression of fear and angry, could turn over and know his name, make vocal sound; at 7-8 months, transfer toy between both hands, sit steadily alone and walk freely in baby carrier; at 9-11 months, walk by supporting of object, catch toys and rob from others. He is active and restless, loves cat toy.
13. E was born June, 2008 and has a hearing impairment (not sure if he is deaf). He is a smart boy. He always put his feet in adult’s shoes to walk, forces every clothes he sees on his head. Toy cars, guns and barbells are his favorite “partners” and can share with other children. When he is unhappy then we bring him to the amusement park, various toys will make him excited and don’t want to leave.
14. Z was born May, 2008 and has severe malnutrition.  When he was abandoned at 3 months old, he only weighed 5.5 lbs.  At 13 months, he weighed close to 10 pounds.  He would sleep quietly or stare at something when he is full. He also rolls over in his crib. When a caregiver changes his diaper, he looks at you and smiles as well as waving his arms. He enjoys being cuddled and is able to locate the direction of sounds when called. He stretches out his hands for bright color toys.
15. H was born March, 2008 and has bilateral microtia (noted with normal hearing).  Now he could go up and down stairs, understand the meaning of adult completely; say hello to familiar and use gesture to express his need; he is able to speak “good, no ” and etc. The foster mother proud of him for he often makes her laugh. He loves to go out to park and play
16. D was born February, 2008 and has no left eye.  He also has scars on either side of his neck.  The congenital absent of left eyeball didn’t affect his normal life, now he can walk freely, or take a walk pushing a cart. Understand the adults’ words, greet familiar people actively, nod or shake the head consciously, or clap hands to show his opinion. Sometimes he would kiss the family members unwittingly, he is adorable, fond of playing in the park and able to get along with the neighbor’s kids.
17. G was born March, 2008 and has albinism.  She has normal intelligence development. Her reports were completed when she was 18  months old.  She is able to crawl, raise head when lying on stomach, sit alone still, slide in baby carrier; eyes follow the moving things, play with familiar, smile when being teased and turn back when being called. She is timid and shy.

Great Wall would like to thank all of the families that joined us in Dallas for our Waiting Child Event!  You helped make it a success! 

For those who were unable to make it, please enjoy these photos of our precious waiting children that have found homes with Great Wall families.

Stephanie Crouch, our Waiting Child Manager, has been working around the clock looking through the children’s files and searching for families!  If you would like information on any of the children below, please email Stephanie at stephanie@gwca.org.  Please note that you must be a current GW client and either have a LID, or be within 3 months of dossier completion.  You must also have a WC application on file.

1. Z is 8 months old and has unilateral III degree cleft lip and palate, uncorrected.  His medical reports were completed when he was 3.5 months old.  He would smile when teased and could visually follow moving toys.
2. S is 9 months old and has unilateral III degree cleft lip and palate, uncorrected.  His medical reports were completed when he was 1 month old, and his developmental ones at 4 months.  At 4 months he could locate a sound, hold his head up and grab toys.
3. D is 10 months old and had a seizure when he was 2 months old.  A brain CT scan showed an abnormality.  At 6 months old, he was reported to have on target development.  He could roll over and sit with support, and loved toys that make sound.  He loved to be held and played with.
4. J is 9 months old.  He has cleft palate and is post-operative for Congenital VSD; Secondary severe PH; Congenital overriding aorta.  At 6 months old, he loved to jump while being held, babbled and smiled when teased.
5. M is 11 months old and has an underdeveloped right arm.  At 2 months old, his vision development was perfect; he can follow walking people visually. his hearing development was also perfect; can show a smiling face occasionally when someone talk to him or tease him.
6. R is 11 months old and has unilateral III degree cleft lip and palate, uncorrected.  His reports were completed when he was 5 months old.  He could roll over and he liked musical and bright color toys.
7. L is 11 months old and is blind.  Her reports were done when she was 2 months old.  She was developmentally on target.
8. Y is 14 months old and has clubbed feet and post-operative VSD.  At 10 months old, he could tear papers, use thumbs and index fingers deftly, bang toys together, make ah-ah sounds, and respond with his facial expressions. He likes being cuddled and played with.
9. S is 15 months old and has post-operative cleft lip and a cleft palate.  His reports were done at 10 months.  He likes communicating with others and playing games, he likes to play freely by climbing on the floor, at present he likes to be cuddled and likes the toys with music.
10. H is 16 months old and has syndactyly of his fingers, underdevelopment of two toes, cleft palate and is post-operative for cleft lip.  He was also slightly anemic.  At 11 months old, he knows the meaning of bu, and is interested in the environment around, and wants to see everything.

Stephanie Crouch, our Waiting Child Manager, has been working around the clock looking through the children’s files and searching for families!  If you would like information on any of the children below, please email Stephanie at stephanie@gwca.org.  Please note that you must be a current GW client and either have a LID, or be within 3 months of dossier completion.  You must also have a WC application on file.

 These are all girls:

1. 11 months old, “O” type change of both lower limbs, sclerotin of bilateral humeri, ulnar bones and radial bones have no obvious interruption and destruction; diagnosis: Congenital contractural deformity of joints of limbs, absence of partial autonomous activities.  This affects both her legs and arms.
2. 15 months old, diagnosis: abnormal brain CT.  On target development
3. 22 months old, abnormal brain CT (right brain smaller).  Delay in language, all others normal.
4. 22 months old, albinism
5. 23 months old, post-operative imperforate anus
6. 24 months, Hepatitis B, severe esotropia (crossed-eyes), mild syndactyly of 4th and 5th fingers on both hands
7. 2.5 years old, mild cerebral palsy, mild developmental delays
8. almost 3 years, Postoperative repair cleft lip, cleft gum, postoperative left conjunctiva tumor
9. 3 ½ years, post-operative spina bifida, incontinence (surgery done before abandonment-no records)

Great Wall China Adoption has posted another Photolisting of children from the shared agency list to our password protected site.  You may use your individual password to view the listing at http://www.gwca.org/node/251.  If you are interested in learning more about any of these children, please email Stephanie Crouch at stephanie@gwca.org!

Please note to view this site, you must have submitted a Waiting Child application and have received your unique password. 

Thank you!

We have been so fortunate to help unite families with precious waiting children who are in such need for a family to love. Today, more and more families are asking themselves when they will be able to welcome the children they long for into their loving homes.  We want to encourage those families who are frustrated with the current wait time in China to open your hearts to a waiting child.  You know never know what kind of blessing awaits you.

Exploring your options is easy. Just complete our Waiting Child Application (http://www.gwca.org/node/254) to gain access to our complete agency list of children currently waiting for homes.  There is no cost to apply, and you may just find the little angel you have been dreaming of.

• Scott is 2 years old.  He was born with cleft lip and palate, bilateral radial clubbed hands, missing thumbs and Hepatitis B.  He has had surgery to correct his lip as well as one of his clubbed hands.  He is being cared for by Love Without Boundaries and is reportedly developing well.  His original reports were written when he was 12 months old. At that time, he could raise his head lying on the stomach and roll over lying on his back. He could locate the direction of voice, visually follow a moving toy and people, look for the dropped toy, distinguish between acquaintance and strangers, laugh aloud, and understand the facial expression of adults.
   
• Ben is 4 years old and post-operative for spina bifida.  He also has a clubbed foot.  He attends the Sisters Pre-school held by Half the Sky. He is raised by a grandma and his teachers together. He can walk and go up or go down stairs on his own. He adjusted well with new school environment and got along very well with other children. He plays blocks with other children, learns singing songs and plays performances. He has excellent expressive ability. He loves to watch TV and read stories. He is an active and outgoing boy. Teachers and children all love him very much.
   
• Gage is 4 years old.  He is diagnosed with a drooping eyelid, mild scoliosis, clubbed foot, deformities of fingers and toes and undescended testicles.  He is an active boy and likes to communicate with others. His speech and express ability is normal. He has certain self-care ability. His personality is outgoing. Currently, his developments in all areas are good.
   
• Jeanie is 8 years old and is post-operative for spina bifida. She also has a clubbed foot and an extra toe.  She is an outgoing and generous little girl who is said to have very high self-esteem. Though she has incontinence due to her spina bifida and cannot go to public school, she teaches herself by learning from her older foster brother and sister. She can imitate drawing, recite children’s songs, write her own name, read and write some Chinese characters frequently used, and do addition and deduction with numerals 1-10. She is described as encouraging and empathetic.  Jeanie has a $1000 Every Child grant available towards her adoption expenses.
   

To find out more about the children available, contact our Waiting Child Manager, Stephanie Crouch, at stephanie@gwca.org or 512.323.9595 x 3053.

Remember, there is no cost to apply.  Your application will be valid for 6 months. If your application was submitted more than 6 months ago, we now ask that you please fill out a new application.  Applications older than 6 months will no longer be considered.  This will help us assess your continued interest in the program as well as keep us up to date on the needs your family feels comfortable accepting.