Resources and References

Please note this is intended only as an informational tool for families adopting internationally, CHN does not advocate, endorse, or guarantee the services or accuracy of this list.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Along with and overview of resources, materials, and immigration benefits available to prospective adoptive parents of foreign born orphans, you will be able to obtain and download form I-600A- Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition along with other required INS Forms and worksheets. The website is http://uscis.gov. Click on Inter-Country Adoption. Local address is Milwaukee Sub Office, 310 Knapp St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Call 1(800) 870-3676 to have forms mailed to you. Call the Application Support Center at 1(800)375-5283 for how, where, and when to complete the fingerprint requirements.

U.S. Department of State: Provides extensive information about the adoptive processes in various countries and the U.S. legal requirements to bring a child adopted abroad to the United States. The Office of Children’s Issues in the Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information describing the adoptive process in numerous countries. Phone # is 1(262)312-9700. Web site: http://travel.state.gov/int’ladoption.html

 National Center for Health Statistics- Division of Data Services: national reference to obtain certified copies from Vital Records including birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates. Ph: 301/458-4636 or web site: www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm. Passport applications are obtained through the US State department. The WI Vital Records ph#: 608/266-1371. Address: WI Vital Records

1 West Wilson St., P.O. Box 309 , Madison, WI 53071-0309 .

Wisconsin Secretary of State: Most international dossier documents will require state authentication provided by this office. The address is Secretary of State- Certification Desk, P.O. Box 7848, Madison, WI 53707-7848. Ph# 608/ 266-5503.

E-mail: http://badger.state.wi.us/agencies/sos/index.html. You can download the Authentication and Apostille Processing Policy including the Certification Request Form.

Division of Children and Family Services/ Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services- provides state based information Handbook for Families Thinking About International Adoption. To obtain contact: Ph: 608/266-9358.

Division of Children and Family Services

International Adoptions

P.O. Box 8916 , Madison, WI 53708

Or e-mail @ www.dhfs.state.wi.us

 National Adoption Information Clearinghouse (NAIC): Established by congress to provide the general public with easily accessible information on all aspects of adoption. Address: NAIC- P.O. Box 1182, Washington, DC 20013-1182.

Phone #: 1/888/ 251-0075. web: http://www.calib.com/naic

Joint Council on International Children’s Services: JCISC is an affiliation of licensed, not for profit welfare agencies that provide inter-country adoption relief efforts. They advocate for homeless children around the world, disseminate information related to children’s issues, promotes legislation and procedures that better meet the needs of children, and establishes guidelines and standards of practice. 1320 19 th St., NW, Suite 200, Washington DC, 20036, phone #: 202/ 429-0400. http: www.jcics.org

Adoption Resource Center of Wisconsin: Excellent local resource offers extensive variety of programs including information and referral services, recruitment for waiting, children, training, education, and support for families and professionals, advocacy for children and families, and post adoption services. Address: 6682 West Greenfield Ave., Suite 310, Milwaukee, WI, 53214-4960. Phone# 414/475-1246 or 1(800)762-8063. Internet: www.wiadopt.org.

 International Adoption Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin: New program offering pre-adoption medical recovery review, arrival medical evaluation, and post adopt and follow up evaluation. For an appointment call the Child Development Center at 414/ 266-2928. Review of pre-adoption materials call 414/266-2945.

Address: Child Development Center, Department of Pediatrics, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53226.

 Families with Children from China (F.C.C.): The purpose of this group is to provide pre and post adoption support, information, and socialization for families who have adopted from China. Local contact in Milwaukee is Pat Thrams.

Ph# 262/593-2118, the international website: http://www.fwcc.org/welcome.html or local website at: http://ma-fcc.org.

 (FRUA) Families for Russian & Ukrainian Adoption- WI : Programs offered include pre and post adoptive education, support, and social connections. Some other activities include orphanage support, social/cultural events, mentor programs, play groups, etc. Web sites: www.frua.org and www.frua.org/wi Ph: 414/423-1481.

 ( LAAF) Latin American Adoptive Families of Wisconsin: A non-profit support group with the goal to provide support, guidance, and information for families who have or are wishing to adopt from Latin America. Other activities include play groups, social / cultural events, and sponsoring projects in Latin America.

For information email At: Latin_America_Adopt_WI-owner@yahoogroups.com or home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Latin_America_Adopt_WI/

Licensed, not for profit International Adoption Agencies CHN has partnerships and/ or long, respected relationships with:

 World Association for Children and Parents (WACAP)

315 S. Second St., Renton, WA 98055

Ph: 206/ 575-4550 Web : www.wacap.org

 Children’s Home Society and Family Services (CHSFS )

1605 Eustis St. , St. Paul, MN 55108

Ph: 800/952-9302 Web: www.childrenshomeadopt.org

 Maine Adoption Placement Services (MAPS)

277 Congress St. , Portland, ME 04101

Ph: 207/775-4101 Web: www.mapsadopt.org

 Adoption Alliance

2121 S. Oneida St. Suite 420 Denver, CO 80224

Ph: 303/584-9900 Web: www.adoptall.com,

 Resources for Living: Beautiful art cards representing the art of orphans from several countries. A great gift with proceeds dedicated to programs assisting these special children. Address: 17 North Chatsworth Ave., #5L, Larchmont, NY 10538

Ph: 914/833-3753