African-American Infant Adoption FAQ
1. What's the ethnic background of children WACAP places through the
AAI program?
The children are primarily African American or biracial (African
American and Caucasian). The AAI program has also placed children of
mixed race from all ethnic backgrounds. To participate in this program,
you must be open to adopting an African-American child. The program
doesn't allow gender choice; you must be open to either a boy or a girl.
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2. How long does it take to adopt a child through this
program?
You may be matched with an African-American or biracial child in as
quickly as a week or as long as eight months.
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3. How is a family matched with a child?
The birth mother or birth family chooses the adoptive family. If they
prefer not to choose, we will make an appropriate match.
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4. Are the children healthy?
The children are typically in good health. Sometimes, there may be a
concern about genetic history, lack of prenatal care or varying degrees
of prenatal drug or alcohol use.
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5. How old are the children at placement?
Most children are just a few days old at the time of placement, but can
be up to six months old if the birth mother parented her child for a
while.
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6. Does WACAP have problems with birth parents coming
back for their children?
In WACAP's history there have been no problems with birth parents coming
back into a child's life after placement. We take proper care to see
that parental rights are relinquished in accordance with the laws in the
placing agency's state.
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7. Does WACAP do open or closed adoptions?
WACAP primarily does semi-open adoptions. We ask that you be willing to
accept some degree of openness. This includes sending nonidentifying
pictures and letters through the placing agencies after the placement.
You may choose to meet the birth mother at the time of placement, if she
agrees. Anything beyond that is up to each family.
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8. Why does the fee for the placing agency vary so much?
Fees depend on the cost of living in the birth mother's state, as well
as the amount and length of services provided to the birth mother. The
fees include ICPC costs and legal fees for terminating parental rights.
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9. Do I have to travel to pick up the child?
Families usually travel to the state where the child is located for
placement. Only one placing agency that we work with offers an escort at
the time of placement.
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Singles or couples, including nontraditional couples, may adopt. Singles
tend to wait longer. The preferred age range
is 25 to 50.
