The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important holidays in the Chinese calendar. It is a celebration of family and referred to as “Family Reunion Day.” Falling on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is a Chinese celebration of abundance and togetherness. This year the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is celebrated today, September 25th, 2007. This is considered the ideal time when the moon’s orbit is at its lowest angle to the horizon, making the moon appear at its fullest and brightest.

To the Chinese, this festival is similar to the American Thanksgiving holiday, celebrating a bountiful harvest. Compared to many Chinese festivals that are inundated with vibrant colors and sounds, the Mid-Autumn festival remains more subdued. It is traditionally celebrated outdoors under the moonlight where people eat moon cakes and gaze at the moon.
Traditionally, Chinese family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon. On this day people will look up at the full silver moon, drinking wine to celebrate their happy life or thinking of their relatives and friends far from home, and extending all of their best wishes to them. Family members throughout the world are united under one moon.

Effective August 6, 2007, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala will require a second DNA test, to verify that the adopted child for whom an immigrant visa is being requested is the same child matched at the beginning of the adoption process with the birth parent. The Embassy is taking this step in response to concerns about the unregulated adoption process in that country. The Embassy already requires one DNA match between a relinquishing parent and prospective adoptive child as part of the immigrant visa process for Guatemalan children adopted by American citizens. This new procedure will apply to adoption cases finalized by Guatemalan authorities and submitted to the Embassy on or after August 6th.

The United States supports the highest standards of practice in international adoption. Due to concerns about the Guatemalan adoption process, the U.S. government must apply an extraordinary level of scrutiny to adoption cases there. This second DNA test will confirm that the child applying for the visa is the same child originally matched with the birth mother who voluntarily consented to the adoption. The first DNA matching test typically occurs a number of months before the adoption process is completed and the visa is issued.

We support the efforts of the Government of Guatemala to reform its adoption process to meet its obligations as a member of the Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention. The Hague Permanent Bureau’s international advisory group of experts, including U.S. representatives, are providing technical assistance to the Government of Guatemala as it works toward implementation of a Hague Convention-compliant adoption process.

What are the steps that need to be followed in order to get certified to adopt.

By: Leslie Zindulka LCSW-R

While it is difficult to make a general statement about such a diverse group as adopted teenagers, it can be said that adopted persons generally lead normal healthy lives that are no different from the lives of non- adopted persons. They may; however have experiences that are unique to being adopted, and these issues may have an impact on their lives at varying times. The teen years can be stressful for anyone, but they may be particularly stressful for an adopted teen because of the issues that must be faced during this period of development. The two most common are loss and unresolved grief and identity and self-esteem. Dealing with the loss of the birth family, coupled with a search for self, are two processes that can contribute to shaping the psychological development of adopted persons.
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By: Leslie Zindulka LCSW-R

Why would anyone put a child up for adoption and deal with all the emotional and legal issues rather than just getting an abortion, which is quick, and permanent?

Parenthood, adoption, and abortion are all options for an unplanned pregnancy. When you first learn that you are pregnant, you will need to consider your options and make an informed choice. You may feel that one option is clearly best for you, or the decision may be a difficult or confusing one. The bottom line is that only you have the right to choose the option that is best for you.
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By: Leslie Zindulka LCSW-R

An adoptive parent profile has many names. It is often referred to as a parent profile, an adoption profile, adoption dossier, adoption portfolio or a family resume.

Profiles generally include statistical history about yourself, such as age, educational and employment background, your interests and hobbies and your family. They usually have one or more photographs and sometimes a separate letter to a prospective birth parent. Simply put, it is a document that gives background and current information about a person who would like to adopt a child. If adopting via an agency, they will often have a specific format for you to follow. When adopting independently, you may be as creative and original as you like.
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By: Leslie Zindulka LCSW-R

One may question, is it fair or right for an adult adoptee to expect his/her adoptive parents to now associate in family gatherings with his/her biological family?

There is not enough research on the outcomes of openness for those involved in adoption. That said, I guess this is a matter of choice with no right or wrong answer for how to feel. There are different degrees of openness ranging from mediated sharing via an attorney or adoption agency to fully disclosed adoptions, involving direct contact between adoptive family and birthparent. We cannot assume that all adopted people want open contact. Remember no one type of adoption fits every person’s wants and needs.
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By: Leslie Zindulka LCSW-R

First 2-4 Weeks: Things to do when arriving home

• Get a health examination from an International Adoption Pediatrician.
• Get an accurate psychosocial-educational evaluation done in their native language.
• (In New York) New Entrant Chapter 53 Screening arranged by public school staff.

Determining School Readiness: Are They Ready To Start School?

• Cognitive Readiness - ability to learn skills and be available for learning.
• Social Readiness - capacity to function socially and participate cooperatively with peers.

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By: Leslie Zindulka LCSW-R

If you already have children, either biological, adopted or both, they will be included in the home study process. Their involvement will vary based on their age, but all children will need to meet the social worker. Children’s input is usually quite important in the overall assessment of the prospective adoptive individual and or couple.
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