General Information:

• This program is open to all provinces except Quebec.
  
• The Children’s Bridge is offering this program in partnership with Canadian Advocates for the Adoption of Children (CAFAC- www.cafac.ca) who has been facilitating adoptions from Ethiopia since 1995.
  
• Adoption is finalized in Ethiopia prior to travel.
  

Considerations:

• Poverty and HIV/AIDS are the main reason that there are children waiting for families.
  
• Children waiting for families range in age from a few months to 10 years.
  
• All children reside in a foster home that is run by CAFAC.
  
• Both boys and girls (mostly boys) are waiting for families and families should be open to either gender. Also waiting for families are sibling groups, older children and children with special needs.
  
• Health information is provided with referral and potentially a history of the child and some familial information as well. The children are screened for HIV, Hep B, tuberculosis and venereal disease.
  
• Must complete post placement reports annually until child reaches the age of 18.
  

Requirements:

• The Ethiopian Government prefers if there is no more then 43 years between the ages of the adoptive parent and infants. No age limits for older children.
  
• Single female applicants are accepted.
  
• Must have no emotional disabilities (Bi-polar, depression, schizophrenia, etc.) and no criminal record.
  
• Must be married for 3 years, or show that you have been cohabitating for 3 years prior to marriage.
  
• Must be in good physical health and in sound financial condition
  
• At least one of a couple MUST be a Canadian citizen.
  

Process:

• Completion of a home study and approval in province.
  
• Dossier authenticated and sent to Ethiopia.
  
• Family matched to waiting child, adoption finalized, and wait for Canadian Visa to be issued.
  
• Once child’s Visa is issued, family may travel to Ethiopia.
  
• 3, 6 and 12 month supervision of child by their Adoption Practitioner is required and further post placement reports completed annually by the family until the child reaches 18 years of age.
  

Timelines:

• Home study completion varies (average time 3 – 4 months).
  
• Approval in province takes between 4 and 12 weeks.
  
• Referral received approximately 12 months after file received in Ethiopia.
  
• Issuance of Visa approximately 4-6 months after approval of placement is received in Ethiopia.
  
• Stay in Ethiopia is approximately 10 days and families will travel with a CAFAC rep and possibly other families.