In this section:

HEADQUARTERS

The Barker Foundation
7979 Old Georgetown Road
First Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-664-9664

1-800-673-8489

__________

SATELLITE OFFICES

2957 Monticello Drive
Falls Church, VA 22042
703-536-1827

1066 - 30th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20007
202-298-7724

International Adoption Programs

Barker's experience with international adoption spans three decades and includes the placement of children from Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe. In 1998, Barker's existing international program was augmented by the addition of the American Adoption Agency, another Washington, DC-based agency, who had established international programs, including one in India, for many years.

Barker currently has international adoption programs in China, Colombia, Guatemala, India, and Korea.

Eligibility

Because there are many infants and children from other countries who need families, Barker is able to work with people who wish to adopt from overseas. Waits vary depending on the country. At the time that children come home to their adoptive family, the adoptive parents will have either a final decree of adoption issued by the child's country of origin or a pre-adoption guardianship.

The Children

The children are generally in good health. The quality of health care and the availability of information vary widely depending on the particular country and/or institution. For example, in Colombia or Korea, where birth mothers typically spend the last months of the pregnancy in a maternity home, the birth history and some social history is often available to the adoptive parents.

Travel

With detailed guidance and advice from Barker, most parents adopting internationally travel abroad to meet their child. We furnish information on places to stay and advice on travel arrangements.  The trip provides parents with a valuable opportunity to see the place that has been their child's home and to begin to develop an appreciation for their child's heritage. During their stay in the country most families retain the services of a guide and translator who provides information and assistance. Barker can provide information on guides who frequently serve adopting families in the countries where we work. 

After Placement

Barker continues to support the new family and maintains contact through visits with the family, usually for a period of six months. We ask that you submit medical and progress reports during this time. The reports from our visits will be sent to the child's country and can be used to readopt the child in the family's state of residence. After adoption, if the family lives in the area, they generally remain part of the Barker community. The family may take advantage of educational and social activities with other adoptive parents and their children. It is particularly valuable for children to have contact with other children adopted from the same country.

To learn even more, check out the answers to Frequently Asked Questions about International Adoption.

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