A good thing

The NSN line is processed by the CCAA and is basically the same process for applicants irregardless of country of residence or agency of representation.

The Waiting Child programme is different for each country, even state or province and for each agency. As I've discussed, our agency receives files from the CCAA of children with special needs who are available for adoption. Staff at our agency review those files, review files for their waiting parents, and match them up with the perspective that each child deserves to be placed with the family who can best meet their needs. As impatient as I am, I think that's a pretty good, objective and informed way to do it.

In the US, as far as I can determine, most agencies post the children they have on websites for prospective parents to view. If a family is interested in a child, the process of applying for that child varies from agency to agency. Some serve families on a first come first dibs basis wherein the family who calls about a specific child first has first shot at reviewing the file and ultimately requesting to adopt that child. Some agencies only release information to one family at a time, others provide the information to multiple families at once, and I assume take the first request to adopt.

I can't imagine the competition involved! Imagine knowing you need to be quick on the draw to review and request files. Worse, imagine knowing you had to make a speedy decision to proceed with an application as not to lose the opportunity to another family. Not to mention the initial pressure in reviewing the files - I've seen a few of the publically displayed lists, and they are tough to view. There's a reason I'm not allowed to look in the kitten room at the SPCA, I want to bring them all home.

During our switch to SN, we had much discussion with each other, then with our social worker and with our agency contact as to what type of child we feel equipped to accept into our family and home. There are a lot of factors to consider and the final profiles developed came through complicated thought and decisions. I'm happy for this protection from impulse. Recently, our agency annonced they have yet to match a 4 year old girl with severe to profound hearing loss. My first instinct was to call them and yell "WE'LL TAKE HER!". Truth is, they wouldn't give her to us. She's out of the age range we are allowed to accept. Her needs exceed those we agreed we could accept. At four, if she's been without formal training for language, she likely has no language and is nearing the upper limit of the critical period for language development. That spells out likely life long language impairment and consequential cognitive impairment which would mean restricted potential for independence in adulthood. That's not only a lifelong committement for Steve and I but also a committment made on behalf of Jack, Elliot and Paxten to take care of and protect a sibling for the rest of their lives. Not a committment that can or should be made through an emotionally impulsive decision.

So, as impatient as I am to be matched, I'm glad the process is one that gives me confidence that we'll ultimately be matched with a child who needs us and for whom we can provide enough love, support and attention to allow her to reach her potential.

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