What is the IGIVE challenge? It is a collection of all of your favorite spots to shop on-line [think Amazon.com, A Pea in the Pod, HSN, QVC, PrintRunner and MORE] - and just by becoming a new member, IGIVE will give $1 to Beacon House Adoption!! If you choose to make a purchase from any of the retailers an additional $5 is donated just by making your first purchase.
IGIVE has truly been original in their thinking and execution of aiding various charities and non profits. We all shop on-line at some point - so why not do it today, between noon and midnight? Donations to your charity are worth it!
Use this link to become a new member, then check out the stores - over 700 of them! Looking to order new business cards, a baby shower gift, or something for your home, the IGIVE stores consist of all of your major on-line stores. We think it is great they have all come together and are doing their part in supporting non profits and charities all over the world!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
International Adoption Seminars & Webinars
As we have been talking about, international adoption is a great choice. Of course, before you make your decision, you definitely need to gather all the information you can. A great option for this, is not only reading, but also webinars.
What is a webinars? A webinar is a seminar on-line. The beauty of this is you are able to go around the world and gather knowledge, insight, and advice from various professionals without the expense and stress of travel. No need to take off days from work to attend, simply go to the host website - and viola!! There you are. No registration needed.
Another perk to webinars is you can jot down questions, and then shoot the host an email [usually found under contact on the same website you are viewing the webinar]. The host will respond usually within a couple of hours. No waiting in line and feeling rushed to ask your questions, and you can also have a bit of time to develop your thoughts and convey them clearly in your email.
At Beacon House we do offer on-line seminars on international adoption on Thursdays at 2pm and 5pm CST. There are also several good options out there for additional information information and sites that provide webinars - just ensure the people or agency giving advice IS accredited - and legal. :)
What is a webinars? A webinar is a seminar on-line. The beauty of this is you are able to go around the world and gather knowledge, insight, and advice from various professionals without the expense and stress of travel. No need to take off days from work to attend, simply go to the host website - and viola!! There you are. No registration needed.
Another perk to webinars is you can jot down questions, and then shoot the host an email [usually found under contact on the same website you are viewing the webinar]. The host will respond usually within a couple of hours. No waiting in line and feeling rushed to ask your questions, and you can also have a bit of time to develop your thoughts and convey them clearly in your email.
At Beacon House we do offer on-line seminars on international adoption on Thursdays at 2pm and 5pm CST. There are also several good options out there for additional information information and sites that provide webinars - just ensure the people or agency giving advice IS accredited - and legal. :)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
So you are ready for International adoption .... now what??
Call us a bit biased, but we believe that the spirit of adoption is an amazing gift! Adoption, international or domestic, is a time of excitedment, joy, and anxiety - so remember the reason and spirit of which you are doing this.
Continuing our talk about international adoption, once you, as the adoptive parent have chosen a location from which to adopt, you need to find an accredited and licensed agency. Some people do choose the agency first, and that is OK, too. Keep in mind YOU ARE the client and YOUR comfort level is of utmost importance. You need to feel, and know, the agency which you are dealing with is what you are looking for.
Calling the state in which the agency is located, to ensure their licensing is smart move. You are about to start an incredible journey, and knowing the agency is ligit is a necessity.
Licensing differs from accreditation, in that being an accredited agency means, their business standards are up to par. They are ran in excellence, and have the record to prove it. Another reason to look for an accredited agency is an accredited international adoption agency will also has high standards of proven service to the adoptive parents, and the children. There are different accrediting agencies that can issue this certification, and each sets it's own standards.
The agency will be able to answer all of your questions, and most of all, they are able to complete things as promptly as possible [if they are good!], and also helping you to feel at ease, in the know, and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Continuing our talk about international adoption, once you, as the adoptive parent have chosen a location from which to adopt, you need to find an accredited and licensed agency. Some people do choose the agency first, and that is OK, too. Keep in mind YOU ARE the client and YOUR comfort level is of utmost importance. You need to feel, and know, the agency which you are dealing with is what you are looking for.
Calling the state in which the agency is located, to ensure their licensing is smart move. You are about to start an incredible journey, and knowing the agency is ligit is a necessity.
Licensing differs from accreditation, in that being an accredited agency means, their business standards are up to par. They are ran in excellence, and have the record to prove it. Another reason to look for an accredited agency is an accredited international adoption agency will also has high standards of proven service to the adoptive parents, and the children. There are different accrediting agencies that can issue this certification, and each sets it's own standards.
The agency will be able to answer all of your questions, and most of all, they are able to complete things as promptly as possible [if they are good!], and also helping you to feel at ease, in the know, and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
starting an international adoption
Another key factor to international adoption is being familiar with the laws & procedures of the adopting country. The challenge here is in many countries, the laws often change, and not necessarily in order to make it easier for adoptive parents.
If people were totally honest about international adoption – and a lot are, Yes, there is a lot of paper work involved. Sometimes as Americans may not completely understand why certain things and processes are asked of us, but knowing this ahead of time helps adoptive parents to be better prepared for their family addition to arrive, and working with an agency that is experienced, accredited, and personal relieves much of the anxiety.
Once the decision to adopt internationally is made, you must meet certain minimum standards, as defined by the U.S. Government. This is generally initiated by the filing of an I-600A at your local USCIS office. For further information, see www.uscis.gov.
This is just the beginning of learning more about the first choice one makes when considering adoption [Domestic or International?] at the Beacon House Blog.
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