The process of establishing a maternity home offering pre-natal care, counseling and housing to birth mothers and the implementation of a foster care system are very near completion in one region. Similar projects are in the planning stages in our second region. While reading the information below, keep in mind that these are general guidelines. Older children are available, as well as sibling groups. Some children, younger than 6 months, will begin to become available, however, we feel that this will not become the norm until the new adoption law and process, as well as social programs, are more firmly in place.
Socioeconomic factors are the primary reason that children are available for adoption by foreigners.
All children are tested for HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis, prior to being offered to a family and again approximately 2 months prior to being united with their family. Families are provided photos, a video, medical report and developmental screening test at the time of referral. Medical reports and developments screening tests are completed by and based upon an examination by an independent Romanian pediatrician. Video tapes are made in accordance with general guidelines set by specialists who work with internationally adopted children, such as Dr. Dana Johnson and Dr. Jane Aronson. It is more important that the adoptive mother's age be within the guidelines than the adoptive father's.