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International Adoption
- Prospective client requests an information packet, which includes an international adoption application. Clients may or may not meet personally with SWAF staff member prior to application.
- Application is returned.
- Contract packet is mailed to client.
- Clients are assigned to a specific case manager who will personally oversee their adoption. They will always work with the same staff member.
- After contract packet is returned to SWAF, client receives all necessary paperwork, including step-by-step directions for completion of immigration, foreign country, and home study paperwork, all of which is specifically tailored to SWAF agency programs.
- As client complete the paperwork process, extensive pre-adoption information is provided via seminars for local clients and videotape for clients residing outside of the St. Louis area. Clients are required to take fifteen to eighteen hours of adoption/parenting training via internet classes in accordance with the requirement of the US State Department.
- Translated, appropriate paperwork is forwarded to the foreign country/city of choice.
- The client’s paperwork is processed by the foreign country officials and dossier is registered in the client's selected city.
- The foreign country approves the paperwork and issues an invitation for the parent(s) to travel to meet their prospective child. Russia requires that the adoptive parent(s) travel two times. The first time to personally meet their child and submit an official application to adopt him or her. Ukraine adoption process may be completed in a single trip.
- Two of the SWAF Directors, who are Russian-born, trained American physicians, are available to assist the parents in evaluating the health of their prospective child. Additionally, the doctors are available to speak directly with the foreign doctors, in their native language, regarding the health of the prospective child.
- Eight to twelve weeks after the initial trip, the prospective parents will be invited to return to Russia to finalize their adoption.
- Upon arrival in the foreign country, SWAF staff meets the family and assists them through the adoption process. Full paperwork and translation assistance is provided to the adopting family, including all paperwork processes required by the American Embassy.
- SWAF assists with all necessary post-adoption procedures.
- SWAF is available for support to adoptive family for as long as necessary.
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