childwelfareinrussia_101011ppt：childwelfareinrussia_101011.pptVIP

Child Welfare in Russia Lanny Endicott Adoptions Some Adoption Numbers Over the past two decades the US has been the major recipient of Russian children Only China and Ethiopia have sent more In the recent 5 years adoption of Russian children has declined – 5,878 (2004) to 1,586 (2009) Over 60,000 Russian children have been adopted by American families US Adoption of Russian Children 2009—1,586 2008—1,861 2007—2,310 2006—3,706 2005—4,639 2004—5,878 (BICIS Immigration Statistics) Profile of Adopted Children 46% - female 4% - under 1 year 75% - 1 – 4 years of age As US adoption rate has declined, Russian adoption rate of Russian children has increased nearly proportionally (Boris Altshuler – Right of the Child) Russians families experience nearly an 80% failure rate in adoptions (Katya Celeno – Orphans Tree) Or, 8500 adoptive families returned their children (Altshuler – Right of the Child) Russian Adoption Rules Parental age: no age restriction for adoptive parents – except that prospective single parents must be 16 years older than the child being adopted Family status: no rules about length of marriage or number of children in the household Singles are permitted to adopt Travel: usually two trips are required – though many families make three – one parent can make the first trip, both required for the second Estimated cost: $30,000 to $40,000 Estimated time: from completion of application to adoption referral (6 to 18 months) – may be shorter for a boy Orphan Care There are some 650, 000 children in the child welfare system 165,000 living in orphanages 300,000 living in guardianships 150,000 are adopted but still considered orphans until they turn 18 400,000 in kinship and foster homes 90% of orphans considered “social orphans” –with at least one parent living (Altshuler) Orphanage Categories “Parental Orphans”: parents leave their children with the state to get