We are pleased to provide you with information about our agency and about each of the countries with which we have active adoption programs.

Adoption is a journey and can be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll have. Before embarking on any journey, it is best to carefully plan and prepare for the journey in order to minimize the unknowns and maximize the odds for a more favorable outcome. We have found that families who carefully prepare themselves for an international adoption and become a partner and an active participant in the process are the families that are most satisfied and most well suited for building their family through adoption. Adoptive parents lower their risks of being disappointed by being prepared and starting early in the process to identify what their expectations are now and for the future. It is helpful to be informed about living conditions in third world countries, to take into consideration the deprivation an Institutionalized child has suffered and to contemplate best case as well as worst case scenarios. Because the majority of children will have been Institutionalized and because of the unknown factors inherent in inter-country adoption, Rainbow House International believes it is impossible to fully represent a child as healthy although it is our experience that the majority of children are regarded as having the potential for good health.

Rainbow House International is committed to parent preparation, education and support. We believe that well informed families are better equipped to meet the challenges of parenthood. Rainbow House International views the adoptive family as a partner in the adoption process.

Rainbow House International is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization. We have been assisting families with their international adoption since 1984 and have placed over 1400 children. The mission statement of the organization is to assist needy children throughout the world through aid, assistance and adoption. We have developed an expertise in this field and are strong advocates for children both nationally and internationally. We are a full service agency licensed by the States of New Mexico and Colorado. We are able to provide direct social services to families residing in these states and can assist families in all fifty states with an international placement providing the family is working with a licensed agency in their state for direct social services.

We are ready to help guide you step by step through each stage of the process. Because we have developed adoption resources and programs in many countries we are able to assist most families. At Rainbow House we have a staff specialist for each of our foreign programs who is able to assist, guide and support you in your preparation for adoption. Additionally, we work with a host of foreign specialists who will assist and guide you in the foreign country as you complete your processing. They will be attentive to your needs and those of your child.

At Rainbow House International we believe in fully disclosing known and unknown risks in our effort to help a family fully prepare for this journey. Adoption is frequently subject to changes beyond the control of the agency and it is important that families be made aware of this from the start. Patience, flexibility, and the ability to handle stress are important qualities for prospective parents to have and undoubtedly will be utilized in pursuit of an international adoption and will continue to be an asset in parenting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CHILDREN AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION

Families generally want to know what age children Rainbow House International is referring. Generally the children range in age from infant, which we define as a child under 12 months of age at time of referral, to about 8 years of age. The majority of children referred are under 24 months of age and come from institutions. We consider any child who has been institutionalized to have special needs. Any family adopting a child who has been institutionalized, from any country in the world, should expect that the child will have developmental delays which may be short term or long term, temporary or permanent, physical as well as emotional delays. Many of the children are under nourished or have suffered from malnutrition. Some may have also been born with low birth weights or prematurely. Although most parents hope for the best and the most optimal outcome, they need to be aware that it is impossible to determine or guess what the final outcome will be for any child. Children with identifiable physical challenges, such as cleft lip/palate, missing limbs, eye sight problems, burns, etc. will only be referred to families who have indicated an openness to such conditions.

Rainbow House International will only place one child at a time unless the children are siblings. We make every effort to keep siblings together and do place more than one child at a time when siblings are the case. Our policy on placing one child at a time comes from experience. Children who have been institutionalized and culturally uprooted need their special time and place in the family. Children with delays require much patience and attention. The delays are not only physical but may also be emotional, developmental, psychological or with language. The adoptive family should be prepared to devote much time and attention to help their child feel safe and secure in their new culture and family.

Although Rainbow House International does not have a formal requirement that one parent remain at home to care for the child after placement, we strongly urge families to consider the option or possibility of having one of the parents take time off to care for the child. Our children are coming from less than optimal circumstances and benefit from loving, nurturing, consistent one on one care. In addition to helping the child develop security this promotes bonding and helps the child close developmental gaps.

This may be a good time for families to learn more about the ethnic composition of the country from which they intend to adopt. There are many different ethnic groups in Russia and several in Romania and at least two in Ecuador and as a result, the children represent a broad range of physical features.

COUNTRIES

Rainbow House International works in many countries throughout the world. We have direct programs in Eastern Europe, Asia, Central America and South America. Please refer to International Programs for specific information about each of our programs including the requirements, fees, children available, and time frames for a referral. Children who have lived in an orphanage most often have institutionalized delays due to lack of individual stimulation or one on one attention. It has been most families' experience that the children usually catch up after a period of time in their new home, although there is never a way to absolutely predict or guarantee what the outcome will be for any child. Families must be aware that background or medical information may be scanty, conflicting, inaccurate or lacking.

CAN I CHOOSE THE SEX OF THE CHILD?

Rainbow House International expects that families without children who are requesting a child under 18 months of age be open to a child of either sex. Families who have a child of one gender may request a child of the opposite gender. Some countries will only place a child of the same sex with single parents.

WHO CAN ADOPT?

Rainbow House International works with both single and married applicants. However, most foreign countries have their own policy with regard to marital status, and age requirements. Please refer to the International Programs for specifics.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

The first step of the adoption process is to receive adoption preparation training and complete a home study by a licensed child placement agency in your state of residence. For families residing in New Mexico or Colorado, Rainbow House International will provide these services. Time frames for completion of this phase of the process varies from agency to agency. Rainbow House is generally able to complete this phase in less than two months with the cooperation of the adoptive family.

The second phase of the process is to prepare a dossier for the foreign country. Rainbow House International will provide a detailed outline. Most families are able to complete the dossier in one to three weeks.

The third phase of the process is having Rainbow House International submit the dossier to the foreign country and the family waits for a child referral. Rainbow House International is generally able to refer a child in less than four months but time frames vary by country. Please refer to the International Programs for specifics. Factors that affect the length of time for a child referral include the following: the number of families on the waiting list, the age of child that is being requested, the special needs a family may be willing to consider, vacation times in the foreign country and a given country's expediency in making referrals available.

The final phase of the referral is receiving the child. The majority of countries require the family to travel to complete the adoption. Families must wait for official clearance to travel. In the majority of cases families will travel within two months of being officially referred the child. Refer to the enclosed country chart for time guidelines. In countries where the child is being escorted, the process time varies generally between two to six months. Time lines are affected by visa and country clearances as well as the laws, courts and judges in the foreign country. The foreign country has the final authority to accept or decline a family, permit or deny an adoption. There are no guarantees. International adoption is subject to changes made by foreign governments over which we have no control.

DIRECT SERVICE AGENCY, INTERNATIONAL PLACEMENT AGENCY AND ADOPTION PREPARATION

Rainbow House International is able to place children with families in all fifty states provided that the family is working with a licensed child placement agency in their state of residence, which we refer to as the DIRECT SERVICE AGENCY. We are not able to accept home studies from independent practitioners. Rainbow House International is considered the INTERNATIONAL PLACEMENT AGENCY. As the international placement agency, Rainbow House International identifies the child and refers all information which has been made available about the child to the prospective family. At the time a child is referred to a family Rainbow House will provide the family with a list of doctors in the United States whose speciality is international adoption. Each of the specialists on the list have a wealth of experience in international adoption and have vast experience screening and reviewing information on children coming from the foreign countries. We ask that the family, in addition to their own family doctor, have one of the specialists review their information and make recommendations.

It is important for families to carefully screen a prospective DIRECT SERVICE AGENCY prior to committing to the agency for services. The agency should have international adoption experience, should be prepared to offer pre-placement training on adoptive issues, conduct a thorough home study which meets state requirements as well as U.S. Immigration requirements, and be willing to provide post placement supervision and support. Criteria for selecting an agency so often is dependent on " the cheapest." The family may not take into consideration that cheap may result in the family being short changed on service and preparation. Rainbow House International has prepared an outline of Adoptive Issues about which we expect adoptive parents to be knowledgeable. This Training Sheet is attached with this application. We expect the social worker to provide information and resources about each of the listed issues. The adoptive issues training sheet must be signed by both the adoptive parents and their social worker and returned to Rainbow House International affirming their familiarity and preparation on each of the issues. Adoptive Families also have an obligation to research information about international adoption and acquaint themselves with the issues and changes that are ongoing in this field. It is also very helpful to begin to identify resources in the community that can provide services should they be needed. Helpful resources should include speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, sensory integration therapists, early childhood intervention programs, physical therapists and therapists specializing in attachment and behavioral problems, good pre-schools and well staffed child care centers.

POST PLACEMENT SERVICES

Rainbow House International requires that the family participate in post placement supervision in all cases. The countries with which we work require official social work reports to be sent back addressing the adjustment between the child and the family. Our experience has been that everyone benefits from post placement services initiated early. Families who experience initial difficulties with adjustment benefit from early intervention services and families who have minimal adjustment issues are eager to compare and share their child's developmental gains. It is important for the prospective family to ascertain that their direct service agency will be willing and able to provide post placement support and prepare reports in accordance with the foreign country's guidelines.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Rainbow House International requires that any adoptive family that we work with have health insurance that will provide coverage for the adoptive child upon placement.

DOCUMENTS AND U.S. IMMIGRATION

If a family is seriously considering adoption, they should begin to gather important documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, death or divorce certificates if this applicable, employment letters and make appointments to have current medical exams.

This is also a good time to obtain an I-600A packet from your local I.N.S. office and get the I-600A form completed and turned in to I.N.S. and additionally arrange to have finger prints taken and submitted for all adults living in the home. The preliminary process can take many months to complete and can hold up the adoptive process. By initiating the process early, the family can save frustration later. 

1. Applicants submit a preliminary application (one is attached for your convenience). If the agency feels it is likely that a child could be referred timely, and that you preliminarily meet the requirements of the country(ies) you've expressed an interest in, a formal application will be sent to you. If we cannot assist you we will notify you.
2. The applicant files the U.S.I.N.S. advance processing paperwork (I-600A, including fingerprint cards for every adult over age 18, living in the home.)
3. Applicants submit a formal application and all supporting documents.*
4. Applicants attend an all day orientation session (held every few months).**
5. The adoptive family will attend and complete adoptive issues and preparation classes. These classes are scheduled on weekends and generally consist of two or three all day classes.
6. Following the completion of the Adoptive Issues classes, a social worker is assigned and the home study process is initiated, after which the home study is written.***
7. Depending on the country from which a child is to be referred, the home study may be forwarded to the appropriate cooperating and/or foreign agency. The foreign agency has the right to accept or decline any family.
8. If Rainbow House feels it appropriate, a child referral is made. You need to be aware that we do not approve every applicant.
9. Your child arrives home.
10. Post-placement supervision begins once a child is placed in the home. Time lines are in accordance with the foreign country requirements. The adoption shall not finalize before completion of the post placement supervision and without the recommendation of the agency in cases where the child has not been legally adopted in the foreign country.

**Attendance at an all-day orientation is required. You will be invited to this meeting after your Formal Application is received and staffed. During this meeting you will be given the most current information on our various programs and have a chance to ask questions about the procedure. You will be given information on preparing your International Dossier and your U.S. Visa Petition (required for all foreign born children to enter the U.S.). Be prepared to bring your certified documents (a copy of each) to the orientation. Therefore, obtain these documents now, if you haven't already done so.

*** The Adoption Issues Classes and the Home Study are major adoption requirements. No adoption can occur without an approved, current Rainbow House International Home Study and completion of the issues classes.

What if we already had a home study?

The State of New Mexico requires that a study be no more than 12 months old at the time of referral, so a previous study may not be current. Sometimes we can update a study done by another agency, if it was done within the past twelve months. For the purpose of an update, only studies done by licensed agencies are considered, not those done by individuals. There may be a reduction of the home study fee if we are updating a study, rather than writing a totally new study. However, our staff must review the study before any determination of fee reduction is made. The international agencies we work with have explicit requirements for the studies which we must meet; until we review the study, we cannot tell how involved the update will be. Studies older than 2 years require a complete new homestudy.

1. Applicants submit a preliminary application (one is attached for your convenience). If the agency feels it is likely that a child could be referred timely, and that you preliminarily meet the requirements of the country(ies) you've indicated, a formal application will be sent to you. If we cannot assist you we will notify you.
2. If a family is certain that they are going to proceed with an international adoption they will need to go to U.S.I.N.S. as soon as possible and file the orange, I-600A form. I.N.S. is located at 4730 Paris St. Denver, Colorado. The family should make a photocopy of this form for their records. The family should also be prepared to bring along one photocopy of the following items: Birth certificates, Marriage certificates, Divorce certificates, Death Certificates if applicable, Letters of Employment, Money order for the following amount: $405 for the I-600A form plus an additional $25 for each adult living in the home that will need to be fingerprinted. The amount is a total of $455 if there are two adoptive parents and no other adults living in the home.
3. Applicants submit a formal application and all supporting documents.*
4. A social worker is assigned and the parent preparation and home study process is initiated, after which the home study is written.**
5. If Rainbow House feels it appropriate, a child referral is made. However, any prospective family must be aware that the foreign country has the final authority to accept or decline them as a prospective adoptive family.
6. Your child arrives home.
7. Post-placement supervision begins once a child is placed in the home. Time lines are in accordance with the foreign country requirements. The adoption shall not finalize before completion of the post placement supervision and without the recommendation of the agency in cases where the child has not been legally adopted in the foreign country.

** The Parent Preparation Issues and the Home Study are major adoption requirements. No adoption can occur without an approved, current Rainbow House International Home Study and completion of the parent preparation certification.

1. Applicants submit a preliminary application (one is attached for your convenience). If the agency feels it is likely that a child could be referred timely, and that you preliminarily meet the requirements of the country(ies) you've expressed an interest in, a formal application will be sent to you. If we cannot assist you we will notify you.
2. The applicant files the U.S.I.N.S. advance processing paperwork (I-600A, including fingerprint cards for every adult over age 18, living in the home.)
3. Applicants submit a formal application and all supporting documents.*
4. The adoptive family will complete adoptive issues and parent preparation certificate.**
5. Home study will be reviewed by Rainbow House International.
6. The family prepares the foreign Dossier and forwards it to Rainbow House International, who then will review and approve it and then forward it to the foreign country. The foreign agency has the right to accept or decline any family.
7. If Rainbow House feels it appropriate, a child referral is made. You need to be aware that we do not approve every applicant.
8. Your child arrives home.
9. Post-placement supervision begins once a child is placed in the home. Time lines are in accordance with the foreign country requirements. The adoption shall not finalize before completion of the post placement supervision and without the recommendation of the agency in cases where the child has not been legally adopted in the foreign country.

** The Parent Preparation Issues and the Home Study are major adoption requirements. No adoption can occur without an approved home study and proof of completion of parent preparation issues as outlined in the parent preparation certification.

What if we already had a home study?

The State of New Mexico requires that a study be no more than 12 months old at the time of referral, so a previous study may not be current. Sometimes we can update a study done by another agency, if it was done within the past twelve months. For the purpose of an update, only studies done by licensed agencies are considered, not those done by individuals. There may be a reduction of the home study fee if we are updating a study, rather than writing a totally new study. However, our staff must review the study before any determination of fee reduction is made. The international agencies we work with have explicit requirements for the studies which we must meet; until we review the study, we cannot tell how involved the update will be. Studies older than 2 years require a complete new homestudy.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST

The costs for an international adoption are for services which are provided in connection with the adoption and are staggered throughout the process and paid in stages. Rainbow House International is a nonprofit, licensed child placement agency. Our adoption work is entirely financed through adoption fees and donations. Contact RHI for current applications fees. All fees are subject to change and are charged at the rate that is current at the time the service is rendered. Listed below is an overview of the fees associated with an international adoption.

The application fees are payable when the application is submitted to Rainbow House International. The Dossier processing fee is payable when the dossier is submitted to RHI. When RHI performs the home study the first half of the fee is due at the first interview and the balance is due at the final interview. The home study review fee is due when the out-of-state home study is submitted for review. The international service fee is paid in two parts. The first half when a dossier is submitted and the balance upon acceptance of a child referral.

DIRECT SERVICE AGENCY FEE

You should anticipate that your Direct Service Agency will assess fees in connection with their services which should include providing education about adoption and parenting issues, preparing an adoption home study and providing post placement services and reports.

RAINBOW HOUSE INTERNATIONAL SERVICE FEE

Rainbow House International charges a fee for a preliminary application, a formal application, dossier registration & translation, and an international placement fee. When Rainbow House International is the Direct Service Agency as well as the International Placement Agency a fee is assessed for processing & adoption issues classes, the home study, and post placement supervision services. If Rainbow House is the Direct Service Agency assisting a family with an adoption in cooperation with an out of state agency there may be a fee for ICPC processing.

Refer to the International Programs for specific international Service fees.

OTHER FEES

A family adopting internationally will need to apply to U.S.I.N.S. (U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service) for pre approval. U.S.I.N.S. will assess a fee to process either the I-600A or the I-600. Refer to the Fee Sheet for the current fees. In addition, the family will be assessed a fee by either the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate that processes the child's visa. Refer to the Fee Sheet for the current fees.

A family will need to prepare a dossier for all foreign countries except Korea. In most cases each document will need to be notarized and either certified or apostilled. Fees vary by state as to these charges.

TRAVEL FEES

The adoptive family should anticipate fees for round-trip airfares to the foreign country, including any additional travel expenses which may be required in the foreign country, hotel or family stay costs, food and other ground expenses.

See International Programs for fees if the child is being escorted from a country that permits escorting.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

HOMESTUDY GUIDELINES
In order to do an international adoption the adoptive family must have a homestudy prepared by a licensed agency in their state of residence that complies with both state and federal laws. The Adoption Homestudy covers the following topics:

Description of Applicants

Motivation for Adoption

Adoptive Preparedness

• Expectations of Child's Adjustment
• Understanding of Separation, Loss and Grieving

Attitudes regarding

• Discipline
• Transcultural/Tranracial Issues
• Heritage
• Identity Formation
• Adoption and Birth Families

Adoptive Parent(s) Experience with

• Stress
• Crisis
• Unknown Situations or Sudden Changes
• Previous Counseling/Therapy

Marriage/Divorce/Significant Relationships

Description of Home and Community

• Expectations in Child Rearing
• Experience with Children

Employment and Financial Assessment

References, Verifications and Recommendation 

AID & ASSISTANCE

Rainbow House International is committed to assisting needy children throughout the world. We have many ongoing projects targeted at improving the lives of children, regardless of their possibility to be adopted.

Rainbow House International is an NGO (non-government organization) in Bangladesh and has established a home to care for u p to 20 orphan children in a family setting.

Rainbow House International implemented several early intervention projects in orphanages for infants and toddlers designed to encourage speech and language development.

Rainbow House International and our families have made significant contributions to orphanages of shoes, medicines, toys, early manipulative items for fine motor development, cribs, high chairs, clothing and vitamins. These items are in constant need of replacement.