Non-Hague Training
Prospective adoptive Parents who are seeking to adopt a child from a country that is not participating in participating in the Hague Adoption Convention must complete 10 hours of training. IFS requires the following training in non-Convention cases. For a list of convention countries, see Hague Convention Countries.
Reality Check: Common Health and Developmental Issues of Internationally Adopted Children created in collaboration with University of Alabama-Birmingham, International Adoption clinic.
Educates prospective adoptive parents about the risks, needs and developmental issues of institutionalized children using real-life examples in addition to proven research. Provides extensive information and resources lists on topics such as fetal alcohol, attachment, behavioral issues, as well as, common medical and health concerns as they relate to adopted children (4 hours of training)
Includes a worksheet that must be completed and submitted to the family’s IFS Program Director.
Click to begin download: Reality Check.
Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adopted Children
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service) published this guide for parent considering an international adoption. This manual includes procedures that apply to children adopted from countries that do not participate in the Hague Convention (non-Convention countries). (2 hours)
Parents must write and sign a statement indicating that they each have read and understand the contents of this manual.
Click to begin download: USCIS M-249 Adoptions.
With Eyes Wide Open: A Preparation Guide to International Adoption offered by AdoptionLearningPartners.org
Helps parents prepare to adopt an international child and offers creative methods to reconstruct the years families have missed with the child. Leads parents through exercises that help them imagine their child’s life during the first years; research and prepare for the challenges of transitioning; and, think about and plan one’s parenting style. Nineteen chapters; self-study format. (4 hours of training)
Copy of Adoption Learning Partners certificate of training completion must be submitted to the family’s IFS Program Director