Our latest call in session.

I wanted to tone down this post a bit and try not to be so negative. We still believe in our agency and this program. So on that note hear is the latest with updates & concerns for the Russia program. This call was a difficult call for the families who have not submitted their dossier as of yet. This is a very different program now then it was from just 1 year ago even, 6 months ago.

WHFC has observed in last two years:
Deterioration of relationship between US and Russia.
Increased Nationalism and desire to keep children in Russia.
Increased foster care and adoption by Russian Citizens- including financial incentives and growing lines of Russia waiting to foster or adopt.
Decreased number of children leaving Russia though International Adoption.

Increased waiting times for referral- Several families are already waiting 8 months for referral- including us! Anticipate waiting times may increase to 12 months (or longer) for some families. Wait times may vary between 6-12 months for families requesting a single child under the age of 2 years.

Increased waiting times between two trips: Current average 3-8 months between two trips. Micro-level scrutiny of adoptive families by judge. Multiple rounds of documents requested prior to assigning court date.

WHFC has told us that the current program fees are not covering the costs to run and maintain WHFC’s Russia Program and they are currently evaluating the finances of the program. A substantial fee increase that will affect all families without referral is likely in the near future.

The Russian government is still referring 2-3 children each month to WHFC families.
2-3 WHFC families are bringing home children each month.