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Comment by Sheelagh Cabalda on September 20, 2011 at 8:48pm

congratulations, penny! . . . & what a wonderful time to go to the philippines . . . they start prepping for christmas now! no doubt it will be a most memorable trip!

Comment by Penny Diamond on September 20, 2011 at 8:24pm

There hasn't been much activity on this site recently.  I usually write on a different group called "The Big Wait" on AV.  I wanted to let the few members of this group know that my husband and I received a referral last month, for a little girl.  OF COURSE we accepted, and so we are working on the final paperwork to bring her home to us.  We are just so happy, and SO GLAD we did not drop out of the program.  The very morning we got our referral, we had the discussion of quitting again!  Anyway, our estimated travel to the Philippines is some time in December, if everything gets processed per usual routine.

 

Comment by Michelle Dettman on June 29, 2011 at 6:53pm

As my mom is from the Philippines, it has been difficult to grow up watching the poverty and orphan population there.  Now - as we do adoption domestically here in the U.S., I very much feel led to help more in the Philippines.  Can you please share with me how my ministry and organization can help?  We have many families who would love to adopt.  www.adoptionanswer.com

Comment by Sheelagh Cabalda on June 9, 2011 at 11:13am

Penny -- Does your agency have a liaison to ICAB? I understand that it can be difficult for an agency to communicate directly with ICAB when there is no liaison on behalf of the agency playing that critical role.

Comment by Sheelagh Cabalda on June 6, 2011 at 1:34pm

Yes, I've been aware of similar timeframes: The most recent information we have is that ICAB is currently finishing up matching non-Filipino families whose dossiers were approved in the third and fourth quarters of 2008.  However, they have begun matching some non-Filipino families from early 2009 as well.  The first families matched in each quarter tend to be those who are open to older children, sibling groups, children with a variety of health needs, and children about whom little background information is known.  In addition, they are currently working on matching Filipino families whose dossiers were approved in the first half of 2009.  The estimated wait for a young child (i.e. 2 – 5 years old) who is healthy will be 24 to 30 months for non-Filipino families.  ICAB is working on bringing that time frame down; this is why they instituted the moratorium on dossier submission from the biggest agencies in 2011.  However, it may be some time before we see the positive effect of this moratorium on the wait time.

 

Penny, you woudn't be the first couple I know to drop out of a confusing, long wait. An acquaintance of mine was in the process of adopting a baby from Ethiopia and pulled out due to frustrations. However, I do have a friend who waited for over three years to adopt her second daughter from China.  I guess you and your husband have to do what's comfortable for you.

Comment by Penny Diamond on June 6, 2011 at 1:24pm

Sheelagh.  the director of our program just returned from the Philippines, and a meeting with ICAB.  According to our social worker's email, they are still matching from 2008, and will be until the end of this year.   I sent her an email back to clarify, because we were LAST told that we should get a referral THIS year, but NOW it seems it will be in 2012.  If we have to wait an additional year, my husband and I are dropping out of the program. I just can't do it anymore!!! They have changed things so many times I feel like we are being scammed.

Comment by Sheelagh Cabalda on June 6, 2011 at 9:34am

Thanks so much, Penny, for your response. From the information that PSB has provided, the waits seem to have become a little longer (you're right), especially with the changes in government. I'd very much like to think that the program will not close. Though my last trip to the Philippines was eight years ago, I am well aware of the poverty there and its impact especially on children. Sending hopeful energy your way.

Comment by Penny Diamond on June 3, 2011 at 8:51am

Sheelagh I joined this AV for support too.  That's whats so good about this site:)  I'm glad to see someone else on the Philippine group, since it's a little empty. 

  We have been having similar issues with our agency and communication.  There is really very little communication unless they need update on paperwork.  There is a generic email they send out every few months, giving numbers of referrals, or how many are still waiting, or who brought children home, but honestly, just numbers, nothing more.  And lately, there have been  no referrals, which makes me wonder if we really have all the information on what is going on with this program.  The wait time has increased quite a bit since we were approved, as well as the number of applicants that can be accepted per agency into the program.  The age of children available has also changed, to 3 years and up only.  Those things all concern me.  My worst nightmare is to be waiting 4 years and then have the program close, and have to start all over somewhere else.  We were assured what a great program this was 3 years ago, and I cannot believe we are still waiting.  We are honestly considering dropping out of the program and just starting over domestic.  Makes me a little sick.

Comment by Sheelagh Cabalda on June 1, 2011 at 7:25pm

Thanks so much, Penny, for responding. I understand . . . I think I decided to join for communal support . . . to be honest.  I hope that's okay? We recently had a heart-to-heart with our agency as we were quite miffed that the only time they seemed to communicate with us was when another fee was due. Given the fees, we'd expected more service/support on our end. While we'd expected to develop a relationship with our social worker who's visited our home five times already, we hadn't known that she was contracted only when our homestudy needed to be updated -- so that meant on for a month, then off again.  Hope this makes sense. Moving forward, we agreed with our agency contact to be more communicative as concerns arise . . . & they agreed to be more forthcoming. In the meantime, I continue to blog my way through the wait.

Comment by Penny Diamond on June 1, 2011 at 4:24pm

Sheelagh, my husband and i were ICAB approved May 6 2009 and are still waiting for  a special needs child (toddler)  from the Philippines. We are not of Filipino heritage, but the wait time has increased for everyone.  We were originally told 12-18 month wait and you can see that is no longer the case:(   The waiting is the worst. We are trying to enjoy our sleep and quiet time too, but it's hard when you just really want to have a noisy little one around!!!

 

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