When Tony or I talk about how many families have gotten to travel this year (so far 13 families have gotten notice to travel in 2012, including the 6 referenced below), or how long families are waiting for girl or boy referrals, this is where we get the information. If you read to the end you'll see there's some fun birthday info too!
I don't plan to share this every week -- it can be kind of boring -- but thought it might be interesting for others to see what kind of details we get. For more on what the abbreviations mean, see the FAQ page for more. (Note that our little guy is an ESWS child).
April 10, 2012
This weekly program update line is intended to provide a brief overview of recent activity in the Korea Program. All activity that directly affects you will not be posted here until you have been notified. Please remember to contact your social worker or specialist for more information specific to your own adoption process.
During the last week, April 2-6, the following happened in the Korea Program.
Referrals and Acceptances
There were 0 referral received.
Please note that referrals are not accepted by families the same week they are given out.
There were 0 referral received.
Please note that referrals are not accepted by families the same week they are given out.
There were 0 acceptances last week.
Travel Notifications
There were 6 travel notifications received last week.
There were 6 travel notifications received last week.
Emigration Permission Status
Currently the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare is processing the emigration permissions for children whose acceptance paperwork was sent to ESWS through February 10, 2011 with the exception of some cases through our Waiting International Child Program. It is not typical that SWS contacts CHSFS when emigration permission submissions are made, but we will certainly communicate with SWS families as we receive more information.
Currently the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare is processing the emigration permissions for children whose acceptance paperwork was sent to ESWS through February 10, 2011 with the exception of some cases through our Waiting International Child Program. It is not typical that SWS contacts CHSFS when emigration permission submissions are made, but we will certainly communicate with SWS families as we receive more information.
Families Waiting For Referrals
As of this update, there are 21 families waiting for girl referrals and 7 families waiting for boy referrals in the Regular (non-Heritage Program). Based on the current numbers of families waiting for referrals, new families coming into the Korea Program are being given the following timelines to wait for referrals. (This refers to the time expected to wait in order to be presented with a referral for the first time.)
As of this update, there are 21 families waiting for girl referrals and 7 families waiting for boy referrals in the Regular (non-Heritage Program). Based on the current numbers of families waiting for referrals, new families coming into the Korea Program are being given the following timelines to wait for referrals. (This refers to the time expected to wait in order to be presented with a referral for the first time.)
The following are the new current times to wait for referrals.
- Boy referral wait: 2-4 months
- Girl referral wait: 6-13 months
Heritage Families
There are currently 5 families waiting in the Heritage Program for referrals.
There are currently 5 families waiting in the Heritage Program for referrals.
For families matched with a child from ESWS
An update most recently consists of photographs and measurements. This is a great improvement compared to over a year ago when we were struggling even to receive this. These photographs and measurements are coming pretty regularly--about every 2-3 months. Sometimes, matched families from ESWS also receive a developmental checklist with notes as to the child’s habits, personality, etc. Some developmental checklists have additional handwritten notes by the social worker, others do not. The Korean worker is not required to make these additional notes and adds them at their own descretion.
An update most recently consists of photographs and measurements. This is a great improvement compared to over a year ago when we were struggling even to receive this. These photographs and measurements are coming pretty regularly--about every 2-3 months. Sometimes, matched families from ESWS also receive a developmental checklist with notes as to the child’s habits, personality, etc. Some developmental checklists have additional handwritten notes by the social worker, others do not. The Korean worker is not required to make these additional notes and adds them at their own descretion.
For families matched with a child from SWS
Because families currently matched and waiting for children from SWS are considered Waiting International Child Program cases, the updates come from SWS as tests are performed or as questions are submitted by the families. If more than 6-7 months passes from the time of acceptance, SWS does send a general update on the child. These updates include developmental and physical updates and usually a video of the child.
Because families currently matched and waiting for children from SWS are considered Waiting International Child Program cases, the updates come from SWS as tests are performed or as questions are submitted by the families. If more than 6-7 months passes from the time of acceptance, SWS does send a general update on the child. These updates include developmental and physical updates and usually a video of the child.
First Birthday Updates
A child’s first birthday is equally important in Korea as in the United States. Children in care have their first birthdays recognized and in almost all cases, a little celebration is held for the child. There is also a traditional “tohl jahbee” via which the child grabs an object from a collection of objects and the chosen object, per tradition, represents what the child will be when he/she grows up. Both SWS and ESWS provide one-year updates on the children, but it sometimes takes up to 4-5 weeks AFTER the first birthday for Children's Home to receive the update. There are a variety of reasons for the delay including scheduling of the celebration by the foster family, a later date coming in for the check-up, pictures that they want to develop before sending, etc. The update usually includes any details about the birthday celebration, what the child grabbed in the “tohl jahbee” and developmental updates. Sometimes photographs are also sent. We ask for your patience in waiting for these First Birthday Updates.
The tohl celebration is super fun! We had one for Iris when she turned one. She chose the money, which supposedly means she'll be wealthy. Daddy was very proud. Can't wait to hear what your little guy chooses!
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