The Barker Foundation is now providing to prospective adoptive families the opportunity to participate in our Domestic and International Programs through a concurrent adoption process. This specific format will allow families to choose two program paths to apply to and follow at the same time, if appropriate for their adoption plans and the particular programs being considered.

In the past, Barker policy required adoptive families to identify the one program they would like to pursue, either within the Domestic or International Program areas. However, in the current adoption environment where wait times for many programs have increased, The Barker Foundation wants to help families to maximize their options in the adoption process in every way possible. At the same time, we will continue to maintain the highest quality of services, support and education to the children and families we serve.

The following program combinations allow for adoptive parents to participate in the concurrent adoption process:

• China and Domestic
• China and Ethiopia
• Ethiopia and Domestic
• Korea and China
• Korea and Domestic

Barker’s pre-adoption groups provide the necessary cross-training that will prepare families considering either one specific program or the concurrent adoption process. Barker staff works with families every step of the way to ensure that necessary paper work and specific criteria are met depending on the chosen programs.

With the concurrent adoption format, when the placement of a first child occurs, Barker staff and the family will discuss the situation and the option of proceeding with a second adoption.

It is important to note that timing is a critical factor in the continuation of the concurrent process. With some of our international programs, a specific country might have very strict requirements regarding the time that must elapse between the first and second adoption processes. The Barker Foundation must abide by these country requirements.

As always, the best interest of all parties will be examined in light of all the pertinent facts, information and timing. In most instances, families will have the opportunity to update their home study in preparation for a second adoption process or they will have the option of withdrawing from the concurrent process. Staff will provide families with assistance, in-depth information and professionalism throughout the adoption process.

For detailed information on the specific concurrent programs, the processes and associated fees, please contact:

• Cecilia Racine,  LCSW-C, Director of Domestic Programs
• Tina Ji, LLM,  Director of International Programs
• Angela Willmore, MSW, LGSW, Korea Program Coordinator