Small World would like to extend a special"THANK YOU" to all of our families and friends who attended our Summer Family Reunion Picnic! We enjoyed the time with you and all of us at Small World are already looking forward to next year's event!
Dana, Yelena, Katia, Mary Ellen, Tamatha and Susan
This FREE open forum seminar will allow you to ask questions to the Executive Director, Case Managers and to the Supervisor of Social Service. You will be able to take material with you and also talk to other adoptive families.
These seminars will be held in the Small World Office at 14272 Manchester Road • Manchester, MO 63011 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
August 25, 2010
September 29, 2010
An RSVP is appreciated. 636-207-9229 or staff@swaf.com
RUSSIA
Small World was granted NGO status in August of 2006. The NGO (Non Governmental Organization) status is a new requirement for all non-profit organizations working in Russia. Many of the regions in which Small World has programs do not require the accreditation of agencies, thus SWAF is continuing to send families to Russia. Currently, the time from contract to travel to adopt averages from 9 to 15 months.
The Executive Director of the foreign country is a Russian born pediatrician who continues to play a large role in assisting families to select children. She assists the families by speaking directly to orphanage and pediatrician staff about children offered to Small World clients. She reviews pictures, and video the prospective adoptive families obtain on their first trip. While families are in the orphanage, Small World’s Directors are available to speak directly to the doctors for answers to questions while the adopting parents are in the Russian orphanage. Many of the doctors with whom the Foundation works attended medical school in St. Petersburg with SWAF's Executive Director of Foreign Country.
UKRAINE
Currently, the time to adopt is approximately 12 months. SWAF's Coordinator of the Ukraine program is available 24/7 to assist our families. He speaks fluent English and has been assisting SWAF families since 1997.
The Ukraine program has gone through a tremendous transformation over the past few years, due to the reorganization of international adoption services within the foreign country. The good news for SWAF is that we continue to have the same Ukraine Coordinator, Serge Zevlever, who has assisted hundreds of SWAF families since 1997. Serge is very knowledgeable of the country, the laws, and international adoption processes. When a family chooses to adopt from Ukraine, domestic SWAF staff assists you through your home study process. Then, families work directly with Serge and his foreign country staff in dossier preparation and travel. When in Ukraine, families have 24/7 availability to contact Serge and/or his staff.
Another benefit of the Ukraine program is for families who have one parent unable to travel or adopt due to medical reasons. These families are allowed to have one parent adopt a child in the Ukraine with the intention of the other parent adopting the child when back in the United States.
Sibling groups are especially available through Ukrainian Adoption. In addition, there is currently a resurgence of children available for international adoption through Ukraine. For this reason, SWAF is offering a reduction in adoption fees in order to save more orphan children. This reduction of fees is available for the adoption of just one child, and siblings are available for a minimal additional cost. Please call SWAF for more details.
Small World attended the CAFFA Conference in Chicago. While our staff was there they were able to gather helpful information that will benefit our SWAF families.
If you know of an upcoming conference, please do not hesitate to notify our office.
Small World does not endorse, represent or support any organizations whose information we may include in our website. Such information is provided as a service to our audience in their search for resources associated with adoption.
