What You Need to Know

There are many beautiful babies, toddlers, and older children from all over the world who need stable, loving homes.

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, India and Korea. We have a pilot program in Nepal and a networking program with Wide Horizons for Children in Ethiopia. Barker also has Waiting Children Programs in our China, India and Colombia programs.

Eligibility

The following are general applicant guidelines for all Barker Foundation placement programs:

• Applicants are in good physical and mental health.
• If applicants are married and wish to adopt an infant, they are not actively involved in infertility treatment at the time they make application to adopt
• A parent will stay home with the child full time for at least six weeks following the child’s arrival in the United States. Whenever possible, Barker encourages parents to take at least three months leave.

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.

The Wait

Although there are many infants and children from other countries who need families, the wait to adopt a child varies depending on the country. Please see the detailed information on individual country programs to get a sense of what the wait might be when you begin the adoption process.

Because the wait can be an anxious time, Barker staff is available to provide you with support and information.

Waiting Parents Meetings also are helpful and provide support, resources and the opportunity to meet other adopting families during the waiting period. These meetings are held approximately every 6 weeks and focus on particular country programs. Often there are guest speakers such as medical professionals and adoptive families who are happy to share their experience and journey to adopt their child.

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 after they arrive home with their child.

There are visits with the family and child that usually last for a period of six months. During this time, we ask you to submit medical updates on your child and progress reports. The reports from our visits will be sent to the child’s country and can be used to go through the re-adoption process 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, or speak with our international program staff at 301/644-9664.