Introduction Child Profiles Medical Glossary Medical Checklist Family Info Sheet CCAA Family Info Worksheet Medical Resources Amazing Stories Waiting Children Waiting Child Program Basic Steps Things to Consider Frequently Asked Questions

• Info Mtg/Conf Call
• Information Packet
• References
• Application

Things to Consider…

Adopting a child with a pre-identified medical condition(s) or an older child could be one of the most important and life-changing decisions you will ever make. Therefore, we highly encourage you to do comprehensive research on the special need(s) you are considering and thoroughly contemplate the issues that may be related to adopting an older child. Families should also consult with medical professionals, as well as their social worker, before making their final decision to accept a child in the Waiting Child Program.

Ask yourself:

• Why have you decided to consider a child with special needs? How does the rest of your family feel about this? If a shortened timeline is your main motivation to consider the Waiting Child Program, this probably isn’t the best program for your family.

• What do you understand about the special need(s) you are open to? What research have you done and with whom have you consulted? Have you spoken to an adult who has a similar condition or a family who has adopted a child with similar condition? Do you have medical specialists available to review the file of a child with special needs on short notice and to treat your Waiting Child once he or she returns home?

• What impact do you think a child with special needs will have on your family? Do you have the time and financial resources for surgeries and therapy?

• Have you considered that there may be undiagnosed medical conditions with your Waiting Child that may not be known until after the adoption?

• How have you prepared to adopt an older child who may have spent several months or years of his/her life in an orphanage?

• If you have other children, how will you prepare them for this new child? What about appearance or emotional issues, etc.?

• When considering what age range you desire, have you thought about the ages of children currently in your home? CCAI has no stipulations regarding “virtual twinning” or breaking birth order, but how might this work in your family?

• Do you know what your medical insurance policy will cover for a pre-existing condition? Think about surgery, therapy, co-pays, etc.

• What resources are available in your area, i.e. blind and deaf schools, support groups for limb differences, or cleft lip and palate clinics, etc.?

• What kind of a support system would you have for this adoption?

• Remember, submission of a Medical Conditions Checklist ( MCC ) does not guarantee a child referral in the Waiting Child Program. CCAI may not receive the file of a child who matches your MCC . If you have submitted a dossier to the CCAA and do not accept a Waiting Child, the CCAA will still match your family in the traditional adoption program.