Adoption Program
China Waiting Child
Profile of Children Available
The average child assignment made through the HIC China Child Waiting Program is as follows:
Age
Children are available from 8 months to 8 years old.
Gender
Boys and girls are available.
General Health
Children classified as “Special Needs” from China may have a minor condition such as low birth weight or other problems. Others may have conditions that require surgery such as cleft lip and palate, missing digits or hands, club feet, orthopedic problems, congenital heart disease, vision or hearing problems, and other conditions. Others may have permanent health considerations. Most orphanages and foster care programs have access to medical care, usually at the orphanage. Children usually receive regular check-ups and vaccinations as needed. Acute care is provided at area hospitals.
For definitions and brief information about conditions that affect some of the Special Needs children, click here.
Relinquishment
Nearly all children in China available for international adoption are abandoned, usually in or near the city or village of their birth. Typically, children are relinquished by their birth parents close to time of birth. These children are carefully left in public places where they are sure to be found, such as outside a police station or hospital. When found, the child is brought to an orphanage or police station where the child is taken into custody and cared for. If the police cannot locate the parents, the child will likely become eligible for international adoption. Because child abandonment is illegal, birth parents are careful not to leave any identifying information with the child.
Social Welfare Institutes
Social Welfare Institutes maintain guardianship of children until they are adopted. Some orphanages have foster care systems, while others provide only institutional care.
More than One Child at a Time
In rare instances twins or siblings are available for assignment. However, the CCAA does not support placing unrelated children at the same time. Therefore, adopting more than 1 child from China usually means going through the China adoption process twice.
Information Available About the Child
The China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) provides all families a basic medical report and photograph(s) of the children. The CCAA also provides a developmental report with basic information. Some children are found with a note identifying their name and birth date, which may or may not be indicated in the information provided by the orphanage. While abroad, sometimes families are able to meet orphanage workers or foster family members who cared for and know the child.
