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Adoption Policies & Practices
Program Updates
Bulgaria: Bulgaria is one of Lifeline’s newer
programs and we have just celebrated our first
successful adoption. We have many other families
in process with identified children and they are
anxiously waiting on their appointment to travel.
We are currently able to accept families desiring
to adopt a particular pre-identified waiting child
from our waiting child list. We can also accept
families that are desiring to submit a dossier for a
child that is special needs, older (above age 6)
and/or sibling group (provided that the policy and
qualifications of Bulgaria are met as well as the
requirements of your state of residence and
Lifeline’s requirements). Dossiers for healthy
younger children may be accepted on a case to
case
basis
with
the
adoptive
parents
understanding that the wait for a referral can be
very long and with the understanding that a
referral may never be given. Bulgaria is giving
preference for healthy younger children to
Bulgarian families and to families that have had
their dossiers in country for a healthy child since
2006 and 2007. Lifeline has a positive relationship
with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in Bulgaria. This
adoption authority is strong and consistent and is
committed to find home for these special needs
children. Currently Lifeline works with Dreams
Foundation and St. Konstantin and Elena
Foundation in the country of Bulgaria.
China: China continues to be Lifeline’s longest –
running international program, established in 2000.
Our in- country program facilitator, Lily, was born in
China and has a close working relationship with
both the CCCWA and the US Embassy in
Guangzhou, China. In addition to our incredible
facilitator, Lifeline has a dedicated travel team
member
in
each
providence
of
China
participating in the inter-country adoption
program. At this time, Lifeline continues to insure
that the process of adopting from China runs as
smoothly as possible for our adopting families.
While the wait for referrals has increased over the
past two years to the current 30-36 month wait
(from dossier submission), the program remains
stable and reliable. Our ever- growing Special
Needs program is becoming more popular each
day.Through the China Special Needs Program
families are able to adopt children, ages 1-14, with
medical special needs. The Special Needs process
is a much expedited program, with families
traveling approximately six months from either the
submission of your dossier or the identification of a
child. In March of 2008, Lifeline received approval
from the CCCWA to be a part of the exclusive
China adoption on-line process, giving us personal
access to the CCCWA. We are grateful to be
included in the group and appreciative of the
benefits membership in this group will provide to
our families. In May of 2011, Lifeline was granted
the privilege of working exclusively with the
Maoming Orphanage, This will allow us to work
long-term with this particular orphanage in many
unique ways. Our relationship with maoming will
benefit both the children in the orphanage and
also waiting adoptive families.
Congo: The Congo has been at the center of
what is deemed “Africa’s War”, a war conflict
lasting many years between the countries
bordering the Congo. Due to these numerous
African wars, much of the people of the Congo
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giving children a hope and a future
have been afflicted and struggle to provide their
basic needs. In 2010, there was a reported 1.7
million internally displaced persons and refugees
as a result of these wars. Because of this, Lifeline
saw the need of many of these orphans and was
led to start an adoption program in the hopes of
providing loving families for these children. Congo
is a new program to Lifeline, and we are currently
in the pilot stages of the program. We are working
on completing our first adoption that will happen
in the Summer of 2012. We currently have 3 pilot
families as well as many other families who have
also started the adoption process through Congo.
Even though this program is still in the pilot stages,
there has been much popularity within this
program. We are estimating that the adoption
process from start to finish will be between 15-18
months. Children of all ages are able to be
adopted ranging from under 1 years old to 14
years old. We are establishing very good
relationships
with
our
U.S.
Embassy,
the
Municipality, and the Ministry of Gender, Family,
and Child.
Costa Rica: In spite of its amazing natural beauty
and ability to draw tourists from around the world,
Costa Rica is a country with incredible needs.
There are many thousands of children within its
borders who have been abandoned or orphaned
through traumatic circumstances. Presently, these
precious children are in need of permanent, loving
homes. Lifeline is looking to find exceptional
parents for these needy children. The Patronato
Nacional de la Infancia (PANI) is the Costa Rican
child welfare authority and oversees all adoptions
from Costa Rica. The Costa Rica Program is
designed for older children (at least age 6 or 7),
sibling groups (one child could be age 5 or under),
and children that have one or more medical
special needs (all ages). Both boys and girls are
available for adoption through this program.
Costa Rica is a choice country for the following
reasons: Newly re-opened “Hague-certified”
program; high quality orphanage care; detailed
medical and developmental information on
available orphaned children; children in orphans
receive counseling services and advocacy; a well
established government child welfare agency
oversees the “transition” process; and children
reside with the adoptive parents throughout the
family’s in-country stay.
Dominican Republic: The Dominican Republic has
the second largest economy in the Caribbean
and Central American region and it is known for its
great biological diversity and great tourist
attractions. Nevertheless, despite all the country
has to offer; unemployment and government
corruption still exists as major problems for
thousands of Dominican families. Many families
often have to struggle to survive and provide for
the basic necessities of their children. As a result,
parents find themselves in positions where they are
not adequately able to take care of their children.
These children often end up in orphanages or
worse on the streets, having to fend for
themselves. These children are in desperate need
of becoming a part of loving permanent homes!
According to CONANI, the Dominican Republic’s
Central Authority that is responsible for the
administrative phase of international adoptions,
children as young as 18 months old and as old as
17 years old can be eligible for adoption, as well
as sibling groups.
The children who are considered for adoption may
or may not have special needs; however CONANI
considers any child age 4 and older as “special
needs” solely on the basis that the child is older
and has likely experienced the effects of
institutionalization. If you choose to adopt from the
Dominican Republic, we would be more than
happy to partner with you through this journey!
Lifeline has an excellent in-country team in the
Dominican Republic and has established, quality
relationships with local persons of contact through
the Central Authority, CONANI. Additionally,
Lifeline’s own missionary family, the Little’s, will be
living in the Dominican Republic and be working
directly with orphan care.
Ethiopia: Lifeline recently launched this program to
help the 5 million orphans in Ethiopia find loving,
Christian homes. Sadly, the beautiful country of
Ethiopia has been devastated by war, drought,
and illness; leaving millions of children as orphans.
Adopting a child from Ethiopia is an excellent way
to add to your family and provide a child with a
loving home.
Lifeline Children's Services is
a non-profit, state licensed
agency placing children
both domestically and
internationally into loving
Christian homes as well as
ministering to expectant
mothers in need.
“Lifeline Children’s Services exists to
provide a hope and a future for
Caption describing picture or
graphic.
children around the world by bringing
families together through the mission
of adoption.”
2104 Rocky Ridge Road ● Birmingham, AL 35216 ● lifelineadoption.org ● (205) 967-0811
Haiti:
Even
before
the
devastating
earthquake in January 2010, Haiti was
considered one of the poorest countries in
the world, and the poorest nation in the
western hemisphere. Almost 3 out of every 4
adults in the country are unemployed. Due
to years of an unstable political and
economic climate, there are thousands of
precious children who need loving Christian
homes. Children as young as two months old
are referred and sibling groups are available
(older children and special needs children
are also available). Currently the children
from Haiti are primarily special needs. The
orphanage we work with is well maintained
and staffed. The qualifications for families
are unique in many aspects for other
countries, but on occasion special provision
can be made.
Hungary: Hungary is one of Lifeline’s newer
programs and in December of 2010
celebrated our first successful adoption from
this country. Hungary is a program where
you have to be approved to adopt children
ages 0 to 8. This is standard for the country
of Hungary. Even though our program is still
new, we have seen the adoption authority
offer to Lifeline ages as young as three.
Sibling groups as well as children who are
healthy to minor special needs are available
for adoption. Your child may have lived in a
foster home or orphanage prior to their
adoption, and when your child is adopted,
your child must be the youngest child in your
home at the time of the adoption. A referral
will be given prior to travel, but there is not a
waiting child list to choose from. We work
closely with our facilitator to locate the child
that matches what you are potentially
looking for. Hungary is a great country with a
lot to offer a family who is pursuing adoption.
One of the most exciting aspects about the
country of Hungary is the pictures, video,
and thorough medical report that you
receive as part of the referral process.
Lifeline anticipates much growth in this
country in the months to come.
“Children really are a blessing from the
Lord”
Peru:
Peru is one of Lifeline’s longest
established Latin American programs. Over
the years, we have had much success in
bringing precious children home from Peru.
Lifeline has worked hard to establish
excellent in country contacts and strong
relationships with the Central Adoption
Authority in Peru so that the process will be
easier on our families who are adopting. Due
to the extreme poverty conditions and high
birth rates in Peru, there are thousands of
children in who have been abandoned by
their families or live on the streets. The
number of children who are in need of a
permanent home is staggering and Lifeline is
very committed to seeing that these children
are matched with loving, Christian families.
Peruvian adoption is an excellent way for
couples and single parents alike to add to
their families and provide a child with the
forever love and care that they deserve.
Taiwan: Taiwan continues to be a great
option for families who are looking to adopt
a waiting child with special needs. Lifeline
has established a wonderful working
relationship with Cathwel in Taiwan. In
addition to the amazing communication we
have with the staff at Cathwel, we have a
dedicated Taiwan team at Lifeline who will
assist you with your adoption. Although the
Taiwan program does
have
unique
characteristics that other countries may not
have, we have been encouraged by the
opportunities that have been presented to
our families in this program. Taiwan is
becoming an exciting option for families
who may not qualify for our Lifeline China
program and who desire to adopt a child
from Asia. Through our Taiwan Special Needs
Program, we have many children who are
waiting that range in age from 6 months to
13 years. Our waiting children are primarily
boys and sibling sets are also available
through this program. As the Taiwan
program grows, we constantly strive to make
this program an even better option
for our families. We are excited about the
beautiful children who are available through
our Taiwan program and helping you with
your journey to your child. To learn more
about our Lifeline Taiwan program, please
visit our website.
Uganda: This East Africa country brims with
natural
beauty
that
extends
to
the
approximately 2.3 million orphans looking for a
forever family. Lifeline launched its adoption
ministry in Uganda in the summer of 2008 with a
vision to help find loving, Christian homes for
these amazing children who otherwise might
never experience the love and care from
having a family of their own. Adopting a child
from Uganda is a wonderful way to add a
member to your family and provide a child a
loving home
Ukraine: In June of 2011, the president of
Ukraine signed a law stating that no children
under the age of 5 could be adopted from
Ukraine. The requirement is that children have
to be registered with the central adoption
authority, the SDA (State Department for
Adoptions and Protection of the Rights of the
Child), for one year and be five years of age
before they are eligible to be adopted. The
amendment to the family code exempts
children with certain special needs, relative
adoptions, and sibling adoptions. The Ukrainian
government is in the process of updating the
definition of special needs. This process, by law,
should be completed by October 11, 2011. The
SDA was previously functioning under the
Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports, and it is
currently transitioning to function under the
Ministry of Social Policy. This switch from one
ministry to the other began in July of 2011. The
good news is that while this transition is taking
place, the SDA is functioning as the adoption
authority in Ukraine and adoptions are taking
place. We will most likely see the SDA have a
name change as well once the full transition is
complete. There has not been a time frame
given as to the completion of the transition.
Even through transition, Lifeline continues to
have success with adoption and is excited
about the future of Ukraine adoptions. Our
commitment to see children five years of age
and older adopted is strong. Our ten year
program in Ukraine remains committed to see
that these children find forever families.
For more information on all of our adoption
programs please visit our website at:
www.lifelineadoption.org or contact
our
International Director at (205)967-0811.
Lifeline’s Complaint Policy
Lifeline Children’s Services permits any birth parent, prospective adoptive parent or adoptive
parent to lodge, directly with Lifeline, a hand-written or typed, signed and dated complaint
about any of the services or activities of Lifeline (including its use of supervised providers) that he
or she believes raise an issue of compliance with the Convention, the IAA, or the regulations
implementing the IAA, and advises such individuals of the additional procedures available to
them if they are dissatisfied with the agency’s response to their complaint.
Lifeline responds in writing to complaints received within thirty days of receipt, and provides
expedited review of such complaints that are time sensitive or that involve allegations of fraud.
Lifeline maintains a record of each complaint received and steps taken to investigate and
respond to it and makes this record available to the accrediting entity or the Secretary upon
request.
For I know the plans I have for
you," declares the LORD, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a
future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Page 2
Lifeline does not take any action to discourage a client or prospective client from, or retaliate
against a client or prospective client for: making a complaint; expressing a grievance; providing
information in writing or interviews to an accrediting entity on Lifeline Children’s Services’
performance; or questioning the conduct of or expressing an opinion about Lifeline Children’s
Services.
Lifeline will provide information on the Hague Complaint Registry when the Department of State
makes it available.
* A full text version of the Complaint Policy will be reviewed and signed by all prospective adoptive parents at
the time the adoption services contract is signed.
2104 Rocky Ridge Road ● Birmingham, AL 35216 ● lifelineadoption.org ● (205) 967-0811
Citizenship and Immigration Services
Post-Adoption Services
Families applying to adopt internationally
will need to submit an I-800A or 600A
(Advance Processing for Orphan Petition)
to the National Benefits Center. There is
an application fee and a fee to process
biometric fingerprinting. Anyone 17 years
old or older; currently living in the home
must
be
fingerprinted
for
CIS.
Lifeline is committed to helping families
have a successful adoption experience
from the time an application is received,
to long after the family has come home.
Lifeline
seeks
to
demonstrate
this
commitment by providing post-adoption
services and support for families. Lifeline
has a full-time social worker committed to
providing post-adoption services and
organizing post-adoption support efforts.
Families with a current CIS approval that
will expire before travel may receive one
free extension of their approval by filing a
new I-800A or I-600a before the first
expires. The CIS approval (I-171H or I797C) is valid for 15 months from the
approval date.
Lifeline recommends that families in the
Southeast utilize the resources of the
International
Adoption
Clinic
in
Birmingham. The IAC is an interdisciplinary
clinic that has a pediatrician, a family
therapist, and a developmental therapist
on staff, who have all adopted
internationally, to serve the initial and
ongoing medical, developmental, and
emotional needs of the adoptive parents
and their children.
For more information visit:
http://www.uscis.gov.
Lifeline
Involving
Families
Everywhere
LIFE Groups are
made up of
adoptive families
who desire to
advocate for
adoption in their
local area.
Parent Education
As part of your home study and Lifeline’s Pre-Adoption Education,
we want to take time to make sure that certain areas are covered in
your home study pertaining to international adoption and the
children you are seeking to adopt. This training is meant to give you
a comprehensive look at international adoption and the country
specific information you should expect. Your dossier will not be
completed and forwarded to the appropriate entities until you have
completed all required training and discussed it thoroughly with your
social worker.
Lifeline is incorporating training designed by the National Council for
Adoption to better equip adoptive parents for the adoption journey.
This training will cover: an overview of the Hague Convention on
Intercountry Adoption, the intercountry adoption process, general
characteristics and needs of children adopted internationally,
explanation of the referral process, multiculturalism and the child’s
transition into the home, post-adoption and post-placement
reporting.
Along with the NCFA parent training, there will be consultations with
your Lifeline social worker on issues such as institutionalization and
bonding and assimilation issues; a survey on adopting trans-racially;
required reading on medical information, attachment disorder, and
country specific information. All Lifeline families will attend in person
or online the pre-adoption seminar through the UAB International
Adoption Clinic.
Lifeline is dedicated to educating adoptive parents as much as
possible. This education is crucial to the success of the adoption
both for the adoptive family and most importantly, the child.
Things to consider in choosing a
country:
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Page 3
Overall adoption timeframes
Age of child at adoption
Length of stay in country
Overall Cost
2104 Rocky Ridge Road ● Birmingham, AL 35216 ● lifelineadoption.org ● (205) 967-0811
More Information on Agency Fees
Each payment under the category of
“Agency Fees” is applied to work and/or
expenses that have already or will be
incurred, cannot be avoided, and
therefore, will be non-refundable*. This
basic schedule of “Agency Fees” will not
change during the term of this agreement
and will be the only fee collected by
Lifeline
Children's
Services
unless
extraordinary expenses are incurred. Such
extraordinary expenses would include a
home study update fee ($350) or a readoption paperwork fee ($50/per child)
should the adoptive parents choose to
readopt. All agency fee payments should
be made payable to “Lifeline Children's
Services.” Payments to Lifeline can also
be made by credit card there will be a
fee of 3% on all charges over $1000.
As it is Lifeline’s desire to place children
into loving forever families, there are
circumstances in which fees are reduced
or waived. The application fee of $250 will
be waived for families who are returning to
Lifeline for a subsequent adoption. As a
Christian adoption agency, Lifeline does
offer reduced agency fees to church
pastors and ministers with parachurch
organizations. A ministerial discount of up
to $1000 may be granted from Lifeline.
Along with this, grants of up to $1000 are
sometimes available for special needs
children
who are harder to place. You can speak
with a Lifeline representative at (205) 9670811 to find out more information about
available adoption grants. The Executive
Director retains the right to assess individual
cases and determine if fees will be
reduced or waived.
Lifeline Children's Services provides an
estimate of typical expenses associated
with adoption. Lifeline Children's Services
discloses all known charges to clients.
However, actual costs may vary and
unknown charges can arise. All state to
state costs within the U.S. cannot be
estimated. Costs for dossier preparation
will vary. Official charges for the adoption
process in the child’s country of origin are
set by each province and are subject to
change. Travel fares from the U.S. to the
child’s country of origin will vary. The InCountry Travel Package within each
program is also subject to change. These
estimates are provided for planning
purposes only and Lifeline Children's
Services is not responsible for any
variances that may actually be incurred
beyond our control.
* See Refund Policy
Refund Policy (see insert for country specific fee information)
Application Fee – Nonrefundable or transferable under any circumstances
Initial Program Fee – 70% refundable if family withdraws 4 weeks or less after agreement date. 50% refundable if family withdraws between 4 to 8 weeks
after agreement date. No refund will be issued after 8 weeks.
Home Study Fee – This fee is not refundable since it is collected after the completion of the home study; however, it will not be duplicated if a family
decides to switch programs.
Second Program Fee (Dossier fee) – This fee is not refundable but fully transferable to another Lifeline Children's Services, Inc. program.
Final Program Fee (Travel Fee) – Nonrefundable if family travels and if family withdraws before traveling it is at the discretion of the international director
whether the fee can be transferred to another program.
Post Adoption Fee – Nonrefundable unless family moves into a state in which Lifeline Children's Services, Inc. or one of its affiliates is not licensed to conduct
home studies, at that time the fee will be refunded by 50%.
REFUND NOTE: If a family fails to properly disclose information or in any way puts the agency and its
interests at risk, Lifeline Children's Services, Inc. retains the right to terminate adoption process
without providing any refund. If there are special circumstances that require a family to withdraw
temporarily or suspend their adoption, Lifeline Children's Services, Inc. will apply 100% of the family’s
previously paid fees to the reactivated adoption if it takes place within 2 years of the
withdrawal/suspension. If more than six months have elapsed the family will need to comply with all
fees at the then current rates. The Executive Director retains the right to assess individual cases and
determine refunds for atypical cases. Obviously many of the expenditures that occur are outside
of the services of Lifeline Children's Services, Inc. and are all non-refundable once paid unless the
client personally arranges that with the individual entities. Any funds, to which the client may be
entitled due to overpayment, will be returned to the client within 60 days of the completion of the
delivery of services.
2104 Rocky Ridge Road ● Birmingham, AL 35216 ● lifelineadoption.org ● (205) 967-0811
Page 4
2104 Rocky Ridge Road ● Birmingham, AL 35216 ● lifelineadoption.org ● (205) 967-0811
Humanitarian Aid Programs
Lifeline Children's Services, Inc. desires to help orphans
from around the world, not only through adoption, but
also through humanitarian aid efforts. Such efforts
include donations to orphanages for food, clothing,
equipment, toys, and other needs that the orphanage
may have. There are humanitarian aid fees built into
Lifeline’s agency fees.
In Lifeline’s Uganda program, $500 agency fee includes a
humanitarian donation to the orphanage of the child. This
money is used to meet the needs of the children in their
care.
In Lifeline’s Peru program, agency fees include a $750
(per child) donation to New Life Children’s Home
located outside of Lima, Peru. This donation is used to
sponsor one child for 6 months in the Children’s Home.
The New Life Children’s Home is licensed by and works
with the Ministry for Women and Social Development
(MIMDES) and National Secretariat of Adoption to
provide child care for Peruvian orphans.
In Ethiopia $1500 is donated to Eyes That See. This
donation is calculated in the agency fees and is sent to
Eyes that See after dossier is sent to country.
There is a humanitarian aid donation built into Lifeline’s
Haiti program. Monthly donations are provided to
Maison des Enfants de Dieu and are used to sponsor one
child from the time of referral through the duration of the
time the child is in the care of Maison. We are so excited
to have the opportunity to be able to provide support
for this wonderful children’s home that provides such
excellent care for the children who live there.
In Congo $500 goes to Mamma Jeanne Orphange, to
help support children there.
For the countries of China, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine,
Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Taiwan, the $250
humanitarian aid fee will be designated for (un)adopted
projects. (un)adopted is the orphan care ministry of
Lifeline. To learn more about (un)adopted projects, please
visit www.unadopted.org or contact our (un)adopted
coordinator at (205) 967-0811.
Lifeline Commitments
Against Child-buying
Lifeline’s role in adoption is to find families
for children and not children for families.
Acting with the rights and welfare of
children in mind, Lifeline is committed to
act in such a way to ensure the
prohibition of child buying and child
trafficking. Lifeline takes all actions
possible to ensure that intercountry
adoption takes place in the best interests
of the child. As a part of this, Lifeline has
procedures in place to prevent the
abduction, exploitation, sale, or trafficking
of children.
Lifeline prohibits all employees and
agents from giving money or other
consideration, directly or indirectly, to a
child's parent(s), other individual(s), or an
entity as payment for the child or as an
inducement to release the child.
Contributions that are permitted or
required by the child’s country of origin
will not be remitted as payment for the
child or as an inducement to release the
child under any circumstances.
Page 5
Reasonable payments may be
remitted for activities related to the
adoption proceedings, pre-birth
and birth medical costs, the care of
Page 4
the child, the care of the birth
mother
while
pregnant
and
immediately following birth of the
child, or the provision of child
welfare and child protection
services generally.
Every
employee
of
Lifeline
Children’s
Services
signs
a
statement agreeing to never
engage in the practice of child
trafficking. He or she understands
that giving money as payment for a
child or as an inducement to
release the child will result in
immediate termination.
Safeguarding your
information:
Lifeline ensures that
personal data
gathered or
transmitted in
connection with an
adoption is used only
for the purposes for
which the information
was gathered and
safeguards sensitive
individual
information.
2104 Rocky Ridge Road ● Birmingham, AL 35216 ● lifelineadoption.org ● (205) 967-0811
Against Preferential Treatment
Lifeline prohibits the giving of preferential
treatment to Lifeline board members,
contributors,
volunteers,
employees,
agents, consultants, or independent
contractors
with
respect
to
the
placement of children for adoption. In
order to prevent preferential treatment,
Lifeline has the following safeguards in
place:
1.
2.
Alabama Minimum Standards
does not allow Lifeline to perform
a home study assessment for any
Lifeline
employees,
officials,
board members, volunteers or
relatives of the aforementioned
or anyone else who has direct
affiliation with the agency.
Lifeline does not accept any
charitable contributions from
prospective adoptive parent(s)
while in any part of the adoption
process in which a determination
of a child’s placement or an
assessment of the prospective
adoptive parent(s) by Lifeline
staff is made.
3.
4.
Lifeline’s Development Director
and development staff only
disclose
information
on
charitable
contributions
to
Lifeline’s Executive Director and
bookkeeping staff. Information
on charitable contributions will
not be disclosed to any Lifeline
employee who directly or
indirectly provides adoption
services.
If there is suspicion that
preferential treatment has been
given to any prospective
adoptive
parent(s),
an
investigation will be conducted
by the Executive Director,
International Program Director
and the Supervisor.
Giving
preferential treatment to any
prospective adoptive parent(s)
is grounds for dismissal.
Note on Charitable Donations
Lifeline will not accept donations from any
international adoption client who has applied,
but not received the approval of the agency
and other regulatory bodies (CIS). However,
once the family has been approved by the
agency and all applicable regulatory agencies
then the family may make donations. For families
who are adopting children with medical special
needs, they may not make any donations until
their letter of intent has been received by the
child’s country of origin and a pre-approval
(written or verbal) has been received from the
country’s regulatory body.
This distinction is
made since Lifeline retains the judgment for
applicable placement of children with special
needs. Families may not make donations until all
applicable judgment calls have been made by
Lifeline on their behalf.
Page 6
2104 Rocky Ridge Road ● Birmingham, AL 35216 ● lifelineadoption.org ● (205) 967-0811
More Information
We invite you to further explore how you
can become a part of Lifeline’s ministry to
orphans around the world. In order to
provide you with a better understanding
of Lifeline and its services, the following
information is also available upon request:
1.
2.
the number of Lifeline’s adoption
placements per year for the prior
three calendar years, and the
number and percentage of those
placements that remain intact, are
disrupted, or have been dissolved as
of the time the information is
provided
We hope this information will be both helpful
and informative and we look forward to
serving you and your family! You can also
access this information on our website at:
http://lifelineadoption.org/adoption/internati
onal/hague-accreditation/
Adoption Tax Credit
Lifeline has the opportunity to help
assist waiting children from several
different
countries
find
forever
families. For a full list of the countries
Lifeline works with that have a
waiting children list and the children
that are waiting please visit our
website
at:
http://lifelineadoption.org/allnews/waiting-children-it-only-takesone/
Page 7
the number of children eligible for
adoption and awaiting an adoptive
placement
referral
via
Lifeline.
the number of parents who apply to
adopt on a yearly basis, based on
data for the prior three calendar
years;
and
Waiting Children:
.
3.
In 2002 the Congress passed parts of
President Bush’s tax incentive package.
One of the laws that passed was the
increase of the Tax Adoption Credit from
$5,000 to $10,000 with a 5 year carry
forward. The law was co-sponsored by
one of Alabama’s US Congressmen,
Spencer Bachus, who came to celebrate
the signing on the lawn at Lifeline. For
2006, the tax credit was $10,960.
Beginning in 2010, the maximum credit
allowed for an adoption of a child is
$13,170. The credit begins to phase out if
you have modified adjusted gross income
of $182,180 or more and is completely
phased out if you have modified adjusted
gross income of $222,180 or more.
2104 Rocky Ridge Road ● Birmingham, AL 35216 ● lifelineadoption.org ● (205) 967-0811
Adoption Tax Credit:
Families with a gross
income of less than
$182,180 may be eligible
for an adoption tax credit
of up to $13.170 that has
a 5 year carry-forward. A
tax credit offsets a
taxpayer’s tax liability.
Final Thoughts
Orphan statistics:
More than 143 million orphans
Financing Adoption
For many families, the expenses
related to adopting internationally
can be one of the greatest hurdles.
We have provided some resources
on our website with information on
how your family can put together
the finances necessary for your
adoption expenses. Information on
tax benefits, employee adoption
assistance benefits, as well as,
information on adoption grants and
low interest adoption loans can be
found
at:
worldwide...every 14 seconds an AIDS
death leaves another child
orphaned...more than 800,000 children
pass through America foster care
system each year
(From Cry of the Orphan)
For more info: www.unadopted.org
http://lifelineadoption.org/resource
s/financing-adoption/
Adoption Risks
Children really are a
blessing from the Lord.
To see if an international
adoption informational
meeting is coming to your
area, visit:
http://lifelineadoption.org
/invest/visit/info-meetings/
International adoption is unpredictable
at best. There may be circumstances
that are out of Lifeline’s control that
can prevent a successful adoption.
These circumstances may include, but
are not limited to, changes in the laws
of the child’s country of origin, changes
in the laws of the United States,
changes in the adoption process or
other intercountry diplomatic issues.
Should there be changes during your
adoption process that prevents a
successful adoption, Lifeline cannot
guarantee that the family will receive a
refund for payments made during the
process.
There are certain health and medical
risks that adoptive families will assume
in pursuing international adoption.
Children adopted internationally will
certainly have some type of mental,
physical and emotional developmental
delays. Depending upon the country or
particular region in the country,
medical Information will be limited.
Lifeline’s in-country facilitators will do
whatever is possible to obtain accurate
and up-to-date medical information,
but we can make no guarantees.
Keys to a Great Adoption Experience
There are many outside factors that
affect your adoption experience and
each family will have a different
experience. Lifeline does not make
any guarantees concerning how long
it will take to complete an adoption.
Flexibility and patience throughout
the entire process are going to be
very important in having a good
adoption experience.
Lifeline’s
international staff will do everything
possible to make the experience as
Page 8
seamless as possible. We consider it a
great privilege to be able to serve
families and it is our desire to advocate
for the family until their family is
complete.
2104 Rocky Ridge Road ● Birmingham, AL 35216 ● lifelineadoption.org ● (205) 967-0811