Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Books ,articles, laws and centers for adoption

ARTICLES

Adopting Older Children ( Snehankur Team ) Thinking of Adopting ?...and thinking, and thinking, and thinking? (Dr. Ali Khwaja) For Prospective Parents : Sorting it out - Attachment & Bonding (Dr. Meera Oke, Centre for Human Growth & Development) Parent Preparation (Ms. Mary Paul) Alternative Parenting : A Child Development Perspective (Dr. Vinita Bhargava, PhD.) Adoption Hurdles (Mrs. Bharati Das Gupta, Times Of India 4th September 2006) Adopt Another Law (Mr. Gaurang Mehta, Times of India 14th November 2006) Adoption : A Guide for Medical Professionals Adoption made simple Child Adoption Leave Adoption a Life Long Bond ( HIndi | English )

BOOKS Parenting through Adoption - Nilima Mehta Adoption - Issues, Laws and Procedures - Madhavi Hegde Karandikar, For Bal Asha Trust, Bombay (Published with support from CRY) Adoption and Childcare - Dr. Vilas Ainapure, M.D, D.C.H The Penguin Guide to Adoption in India - Dr. Aloma Lobo and Jayapriya Vasudevan Child Adoption & Thereafter - Indian Council for Child Welfare, Tamil Nadu On Their Own - Amita Dhanda & Geeta Ramaswamy (July 2005) Adoption in India : Policies & Experiences - Dr. Vinita Bhargava

WEBSITES We acknowledge their support for developing the informational sections of this website Central Adoption Resource Authority Atmaja- Association for Adoptive Parents, West Bengal Catalysts for Social Action, Pune: National Association of Adoptive Families- Adoption Guidance Book Karmayog-Adoption http://sudatta.org/

INDIAN LEGISLATIONS HAMA - Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956. Hindus, including Sikhs, Jains & Buddhists can adopt under this Act. GAWA - is Guardians And Wards Act, 1890. Foreigners and non-Hindus can resort to this Act for the purpose of guardianship. Under Juvenile Justice(Care & Protection of Children) Act(2000 amended in 2006), a child of either sex can be given in adoption by the court to a person irrespective of his/her marital status and number of biological or adopted children. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Inter-country Adoption

List of Documents for Adoption Process

The list of documents required for Adoption process is below. You can download the formats and templates from the list of attachments below 1) Completed Application form (Download application form below)

2) Completed Medical certificate(Original) for both parents (example reference template below)

3) Completed Questionnaire by both parents (example reference template below)

4) Copy of Birth Certificate / School leaving Certificate / Election identity / Passports to establish the identity of both parents

5) Copy of Marriage certificate. 6) Original Reference Letters from 2 friends and 1 relative vouching for suitability of the family to adopt a child and how long have they known the family (example reference template below)

7) Original Recent HIV test (Eliza) reports for both parents

8) If applicable, a report from gynecologist indicating for how many days the couple is taking fertility treatment(Original)

9) Income documents Copy of recent payslip and income tax return certificates (If employed) Copy of Income tax returns documents and ( if self employed or in business) 10) Copies of Bank statement, Investments, Insurance policies, and property documents to show financial stability

11) Copies of Municipal tax receipts / electricity bills / Ration Card to provide proof of address

12) 4 Colored full size post card photographs(parents together) and 10 passport size photograph (Individual)of the adoptive parents.

13) An undertaking affidavit from the nearest younger relative of adoptive parents to take care of the child in case of any mishap to adoptive parents (example reference template below)

14) A Police verfication certificate to confirm that there are no criminal records against the adoptive parents(Original)

What is Adoption ? Adoption is a process by which a child who has been abandoned or relinquished is given to a safe, secure & loving family through a legal process.



Why adopt? Adoption is a wonderful option to expand your family. On one hand, you have orphaned children; on the other, you have infertile couples who long for a child. The needs of both the child and the prospective parents can be fulfilled through adoption. It is not just childless couples that go in for adoption. Some couples feel that they would like to offer a secure and loving home to an orphan. Others may want a child of a particular sex, or they may be too old to have achild, or a biological child may have a high risk of having genetic problems. Single parents also have the option to adopt. Just because a child carries its parents' genes does not necessarily make it superior in any way. Both heredity and environment work in tandem to shape the development of a child. Adoptive parents often have more control over the variables, in the sense that they choose when to adopt, the sex of the child and they can check whether the child is physically and mentally normal before they take a final decision. Biological parents do not have this luxury.

Who can adopt ? The adoptive parents should have a reasonable & regular source of income which can support the needs of a child within a family. Neither of the parents should have a major illness that would come in the way of parenting. Neither of the parents should have a criminal record. The composite age of the adoptive couple should not exceed 90 years. Single parents upto 45 years can adopt too.

Process of Adoption Stage I - Application Prospective adoptive parent(s) should register themselves with state adoption cell or Adoption Coordinating Agency. Get all the information that you need to make up your mind, clarify your doubts and then register with one agency. Please do not register with several agencies in the hope of getting a "better" choice or a faster placements. All adoption agencies have a networking system to co-ordinate with each other to locate a suitable child for you. Prepare the documents that you need to complete as part of the formalities in the process of adoption. To register with Snehankur Adoption center, please fill this form or contact snehankur@snehalaya.org.

Stage II - Documentation and Home Study A home study will be conducted by the social worker of the Agency. To allay the fears and apprehensions of the prospective adoptive parent(s), pre-adoptive counseling sessions will be provided as required. This study is conducted to assess the ability of a couple to parent a child, not born to them. Documents relating to financial and health status of the prospective parent(s) will be part of the Home Study Report. Prospective adoptive parents should create and complete the necessary documentation as per this list below. Home Visit is also intended for per -adoption counselling. Use the meetings with the social worker to clarify all your apprehensions and to freely discuss your expectations.

Stage III - Identification of the adoptive child After a Home Study has been accepted and approved, a suitable child admitted and legally free for adoption will be identified for the parent(s). This seems to be the most difficult part of the process, because once you have made a decision to adopt, you would like it to be completed as early as possible. This may take even upto six months, depending on the availability of children. It would be an appropriate analogy to draw here, that just as nature has provided time between conception and the birth of a baby, so does the adoption process includes this period of waiting to allow a couple to get emotionally prepared for parenthood. The agency will take care to match a child meeting the description, if any, desired by the parent(s). In case of placement of older children (above the age of 6), both written and verbal consent of the child will be obtained.

Stage IV - Foster Care Once a successful matching has been, the social worker will arrange for you to see the child that has been identified for you. This is the moment you have been waiting for with mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety. Adoptive parents can get an independent medical report about the child before acceptance. It is important to get a complete medical re-examination done with a doctor of your choice to reassure yourself of the child's health. The social worker will help you file all the relevant papers in court before you can take the child home in pre-adoptive foster care. The foster care agreement will be signed between the adoptive parents and Snehankur. Snehankur and the parents will together file a petition in the Court/JJB for obtaining the necessary orders under the relevant Act. Till the court hearing is completed and orders are issued, the child will be under foster care with the parents, with the agency still being the legal guardian of the child

Stage V - Adoption Deed The social worker will assist you with all legal formalities and you may be required to attend court for a hearing. Once the court completes all the hearings, the court will issue an order, approving the adoption of the child by the family The court order will be registered to complete the adoption process . In cities like Ahmednagar there is no family court to hear adoption cases. Hence it could take upto an year to get the court order. We realize this causes a few inconveniences like having to wait for a passport for the child. But the institution has limited means to expedite matters. Documents related to the adoption will include the court decree of Adoption deed and the child's birth affidavit. With these documents, adoptive parents will be legal guardians of the child

Stage VI - Follow up visits Once the adoption process is completed, Snehankur conducts follow-up visits and post adoption counseling by the social worker till the child is adjusted in the new environment. The follow up could be upto one year or as directed by the Court/JJB. Copies of the follow-up reports will be sent to the District Social Welfare Officer/concerned State Government Department, concerned Scrutiny Agency and the Court/JJB from where the order was obtained. The social worker will keep in touch with you and visit you for follow-ups as per the stipulation of the court and the agency's rules. This is mostly to help the parents as required. Even after the legal follow-up period is over, you can feel free to approach Snehankur for any advice or assistance. --

Adoption centers in Maharashtra (http://www.cara.nic.in/ipas_list_maharashtra.htm) Maharashtra S.No Particulars Validity of Recognition Phone No. Fax No. E-mail Address 1 Bal Anand World Children Welfare Trust India Sai Krupa, 93, Ghatla Village, Chembur Mumbai-400071, Maharashtra 23/01/2008 22/01/2011 91-022-25208395 / 25202262 91-22-25204914 balanand@vsnl.net mmbalanand@hotmail.com

2 Children of the World (India) Trust 401, Arun Chambers, 4th Floor, Tardeo Mumbai - 400 034, Maharashtra 13.03.2008 12.03.2011 91-022-23520249 022-66602196 91-022-23520032 cwb@bom5.vsnl.net.in cwb@vsnl.com child@mtnl.net.in

3 Holy Cross Home For Babies C/o Holy Cross Convent Camp Road, Amaravati (Camp) - 444602 Maharashtra 11.05.2010 10.05.2013 91-0721-2663861 91-0721-2663861 h.babies@rediffmail.com

4 SOFOSH Society of Friends of The Sassoon Hospitals Postal Address: P.O Box 94, G.P.O., Pune-411001, Maharashtra 29/10/2010 28/10/2013 91-020-26124660 091-020-26128219 sofosh@vsnl.net

5 M/s Bal Vikas (Shishu Welfare Trust of India) 102, Shishu Bhavan, Velantine Comples, Off. Gen. Arun Kumar Vaidya Marg, Malad (East), Mumbai - 400097, Maharashtra 24/09/2009 23/09/2012 022-28422802 022-28422714 balvikas@vsnl.com

6 St. Catherine's Home Veera Desai Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai - 400 058, Maharashtra 26.08.2010 25.08.2013 91-022-26762312 / 26766906 91-022-26763021 stcath@mtnl.net.in stcath@vsnl.net

7 The Hindu Women's Welfare Society Shraddhanand Mahilashram Shraddhanand Road, Maheshwari, Udyan, Matunga, Mumbai-400019, Maharashtra 13.03.2008 12.03.2011 91-022-24012252 / 24010715 91-022-24031207 hwws@rediffmail.com

8 Bhartiya Samaj Seva Kendra "Bertha Varada" Plot No.373, 6th Lane, North Main Road, Koregaon Park, Pune-411001 24/05/2010 to 23/05/2013 91-020-26128002 020-26055332 91-020-6125716 bssk@bsskindia.org

9 Shejar Chhaya P.P Paradise, B/206-207, Second Floor, Main Ambadi Road Junction, Vasai Road (w), Dist. Thane, Maharashtra 401202 22/09/2009 21/09/2012 91-250-2341196 2349380 91-250-23051337 shejarchhaya@rediffmail.com

10 Maharashtra State Women's Council Asha Sadan, Asha Sadan Marg, Umerkhadi Mumbai-400009, Maharashtra 02/02/2009 01/02/2012 91-022-23715477 23740397 91-22-23701281 m.s.w.c.ashasadan@mtnl.net,in

11 Bal Asha Trust 401, Charlie-Ville, A Road, Churchgate, Mumbai-400020, Maharashtra 15/03/2010 14/03/2012 91-022-24926526 91-22-24944090 adoption@vsnl.com balasha@vsnl.com

12 Shree Manav Seva Sangh 255-257, Sion Road, Sion (West), Mumbai - 400022, Maharashtra. 29/12/2010 to 31/03/2012 91-022-24071553 24092266 91-022-24092266 smss@vsnl.com sevasangh@gmail.com shrimanva24@yahoo.com

13 M/S Matru Sewa Sangh North Ambazari Road Sitabuldi, Nagpur, Maharashtra. 19/09/2008 to 18/09/2011 91-0712-2523596 / 2522393 91-0712-2523596 matrusewa@yahoo.com

14 M/S Indian Association For Promotion of Adoption & Child Welfare, Flat No.7, Kanara Brotherhood Co-operative Housing Society, Mogul Lane, Matunga (W) Mumbai-400016 Maharashtra. 01/06/2009 to 31/05/2012 91-022-24307076 / 24374938 91-022-24374938 iapa@vsnl.com iapa@vsnl.net

15 Family Service Centre Eucharistic Congress, Building No.3, 5 Convent Street Mumbai - 400001, Maharashtra. 02/02/2009 to 01/02/2012 91-022-22021432 91-022-22828862 director@fscmumbai.org familyservice2001@yahoo.com

16 M/s Bal Vikas Mahila Mandal C/o Swa-Adhr Mahila Vastigrah Sudarshan Colony, India Nagar, Latur-413531, Maharashtra. 20/02/2008 to 19/02/2011 91-02382-27620 27005 91-02382-228723 bvmm_latur@yahoo.com

17 M/s Renuka Mahajan Trust Svy. No. 121, Near Saibaba Mandir, Pune - Alandi Road, Wadmukhwadi, P.O. Charholi, Tal. Haveli, Dist. Pune - 412 105, Maharashtra 12/12/2008 to 11/12/2011 020-32662982 / 020-32528187 / Mob:9860015966/ 9860645661 rsg_94@yahoo.co.in rmt1994@yahoo.com

18 M/s Priya-Darshani Shishu Griha Shri Sadguru Balmik Swamy Seva Sangh Sanchalit 691/1B, Old Bhavsar Hospital, Adinath Nagar, Near Century Enka Colony Gate No.2 Bhosari, Pune -39 24/12/2008 to 23/12/2011 91-020-27123391 020-27122630 priyadarshaniadoption@yahoo.com priyadarshinishisu@vsnl.net

19 M/s Mahila Seva Mandal Kusumbai Matichand Mahila Seva Gram 25/20, Karve Road, Pune - 411004, Maharashtra. 25.01.2005 to 24.01.2008 91-020-25440490

25439671 / 25436851 91-020-25652536 d.v.tikekar@vsnl.com mahilasevamandalpune@rediffmail.com

20. Vivekanand Balsadan Kamptee Seth Daga Dharmashala, Opp. Rly. Station, P.O. Kamptee-441002, Dist. Nagpur, Maharashtra 19.09.2008 to 18.09.2011 07109-288632 91-07109-288632 vivekanandbalsadan@yahoo.com vivekanandbalsadan@rediffmail.com

21. Vatsalya Trust Plot No. 1285 Near Kanjur Police Station, Kanjur Marg, (East) Mumbai-400042 07.09.2010 to 06.09.2013 022-25782958 / 022-25794798 / 022-25784810 022-25784820 vatsalyatrust@inidatimes.com info@vatsalyatrust.org

22. Missionaries of Charity, Church Road, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai-400056, Maharashtra 15.10.2010 to 14.10.2013 91-022-26184068 / 26102843 corrine.queira.soza@gmail.com

23. Ashirwad (Adoption Centre) Indian Children Welfare Trust, 1044, Jaganade Chowk, KDK College Road, Nandawan, Nagpur, Maharashtra 24.09.2009 to 23.09.2012 0712-3299710 / 2715697 ashirwadicwt_india@yahoo.co.in

24. Balwant Krtar Anand Foundation (Preet Mandir) Anand Corner, 18, Dr. Coyaji Road, Pune-411001, Maharashtra The recognition of Preet Mandir, Pune for undertaking Inter-country Adoption is revoked with w.e.f 20.05.2010 020-26361027 / 26360081 / 26330602 020-26361969 / 26361481 preetmandir2@vsnl.net preetindianadoption@vsnl.net