October 2007

In This Issue:

Connect with local WHFC families

Program News - Families needed!

Meet our featured waiting child & learn about our subsidy programs

Upcoming meetings & events in your area

How can WHFC assist you in your Adoption Journey?

Adoption News for Families Across the United States

Welcome to fall; a time for planning and preparing for the future. Wherever you are in your journey - from contemplating adoption to researching country programs - WHFC's Placement Services staff are available to help you navigate your next steps. Please plan to meet us and hear from local WHFC families at an upcoming Adoption Information meeting scheduled in Florida, Colorado, Illinois and more.

WHFC's adoption programs remain strong; we will place almost 700 children with their forever families across the US this year. Additionally, WHFC is please to announce we have completed our application to become a fully accredited provider under the Hague accreditation, a multilateral treaty strengthening protections for children adopted internationally. The U.S. is preparing to ratify the Convention in 2008.

As you consider your own personal journey to adoption, know that WHFC is your partner in this life-changing, but exciting and rewarding process of building a family. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions you may have.

Maryanne Ludwig
Director of Placement Services
Wide Horizons For Children

REFERENCE FAMILIES

Connect with WHFC families in your area. Learn more about their experiences with adoption.

PROGRAM NEWS — FAMILIES NEEDED

ETHIOPIA - View photos from our recent family reception welcoming our Ethiopia representative and guests. Seeking families for toddlers, school-aged children and sibling groups.
KAZAKHSTAN - Invitation to travel in 5-6 months. Families especially needed for children over age 18 months who are open to adopting a child of either gender.
RUSSIA - WHFC is accepting applications while we await re-accreditation. Please contact our program team for details.
UKRAINE - Invitation to travel in 4-6 months. Families especially needed for children over 14 months.

For the most up-to-date information on all of our adoption programs, visit our website.

HORIZON KIDS: WHFC's WAITING CHILDREN

Wide Horizons For Children's Horizon Kids initiative finds parents for children who have been waiting for an adoptive family. Our waiting children are not specific to one country, instead there are waiting children in nearly every country in which we work.

Meet This Month's Featured Child

Juan Carlo is a cheerful and attentive little boy who is Hep B positive, but otherwise is in good health. He is good at sharing and particularly enjoys physical activities, singing, dancing and drawing. He is learning English and appears to be motivated to succeed. He is well-behaved in school and relates well with his peers. Please contact Amanda Halpern, Horizon Kids Coordinator at 781.419.0371 or ahalpern@whfc.org.

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UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Wide Horizons For Children offers a variety of meetings and events throughout the year in all of our regions and online.

Adoption Information Meetings

Learn more about the adoption process and our programs. Meet some of our staff and families at these introductory sessions.

Denver, CO
Tues, Oct 16, 6:00-8:00 PM
Orlando, FL
Thurs, Nov 29, TBA
Evanston, IL
Mon, Nov 5, 7:00-9:00 PM
Frankfort, IL
Tues, Nov 6, 7:00-9:00 PM
Rockville, MD
Wed, Oct 10, 7:00-9:00 PM
Rochester, NY
Thurs, Nov 1, 6:30-8:30 PM
Mon, Nov 5, 6:00-8:00 PM
Vienna, VA
Thurs, Oct 11, 7:00-9:00 PM

View the complete schedule and register for a meeting.

Program Introduction Presentations

Learn about the children, program highlights, fees, adoption process and more. Choose to view our online presentation (also referred to as a webinar or web-based seminar), which are available anytime you are, and include a 12-20 minute program overview. Or you may participate in a live teleconference, which allows you to hear about program details from WHFC staff and families, and participate in a live Q&A session. These 30 minute sessions require advance registration, and are conducted via the telephone and internet.

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THE ADOPTION JOURNEY

WHFC constantly strives to meet the needs of prospective families seeking information about adoption. Please help us better understand what is important to you by answering the following questions in our brief survey. All responses are collected anonymously.

1. Rank the value of each of the following resources in your information gathering
2. Rank the following areas of concern to you
3. In what state do you reside?
4. Which of the following best represents your time frame for beginning the adoption process?

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