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.