Spence-Chapin Colombia Programme
SPENCE-CHAPIN BEGAN WORKING IN COLOMBIA IN 1994, when we were approved by ICBF (Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar), the Family Welfare Institute that oversees adoption in Colombia. We are pleased to offer several options for families wanting to adopt from Colombia. First, Spence-Chapin works directly with ICBF for the placement of children in governmental care. In addition, our agency works with Los Chiquitines, a small private orphanage, to find homes for children. Spence-Chapin also participates in the Kidsave Summer Miracles program through which prospective families can host a child 7-14 years old for a summer experience and either pursue adoption or advocate with families in their community to identify an adoptive family for the child. Colombia is located in northwestern South America and is defined by lush rainforests, urban areas, sprawling plains and mountainous regions. It is one of the largest and most populous countries in South America, making it both ethnically and culturally diverse.
Program Requirements and Specifics
- Married couples where one person is 38 or younger are eligible for a child up to 35 months. Colombia considers the age of parent responsible for daily care and child-rearing when determining the age of the child for which a couple is eligible.
- Couples between 39 to 41-years-old eligible to adopt a child 36-59 months.
- Couples between 42 to 44-years-old eligible to adopt a child 60-83 months.
- Couples over 44-years-old eligible for child at least 7-years-old.
- Single men and women eligible for older and waiting children.
- Couples must have lived together for at least 2 years.
- Applicants who have physical health issues that impair their daily lives or impact their life span are not eligible.
- Applicants will undergo a psychological study and are not eligible if they are diagnosed with a mental illness.
- Applicants cannot have a criminal background, including any arrests or convictions. Minor legal infractions in the distant past will be looked at on a case by case basis.
Children in Need of Homes
Both boys and girls ranging in age from newborns to teenagers are in need of homes. Sibling groups, particularly of older children, and children of all ages with special needs are also available. Children are primarily cared for in institutions, and there is occasionally foster care available for older children.
Timing and Travel: From Application to Homecoming
- Timing: The current wait for a referral after your dossier is sent to Colombia is up to four years for children up to 35 months. The wait for referral is shorter for older and waiting children (including sibling groups) and for families of Colombian heritage.
- Referral: At the time of referral, you will receive a photograph and medical report on the child who has been matched with your family.
- Travel: Both members of a couple will travel to Colombia soon after acceptance of referral and you will be escorted throughout the entire process in country. You must stay in Colombia for 4 to 6 weeks, but one parent can leave after 1 to 2 weeks when the adoption is finalized. You should plan to travel to the region where your child lives and to end your trip in Bogotá.
- Post Adoption: Upon returning home, your child will be an automatic citizen of the U.S. and you will receive a certificate of citizenship in the mail. Colombia requires reports three months after your child comes home and every six months after that for two years. These reports must be written by the social worker based on an office visit with your family. For out-of-state families, the local agency provides these. We will also provide you with information about our Adoption Resource Center, which is available to you free for one year and will continue to offer on-going support services throughout the lifetime of your family.
Families Outside of the NY/NY Metro Area
Spence-Chapin welcomes families from all areas of the country to adopt through our program in Colombia. Families outside the NY/NJ metro area will work with an agency in their local area in addition to Spence-Chapin. Networking benefits families by allowing them to work with Spence-Chapin's well-established international programs while accessing direct service from a social worker in their area. Spence-Chapin collaborates with other reputable adoption agencies to help families complete an adoption. For more information about networking and a list of Spence-Chapin Network Agencies, click on the link or contact our International Inquiry Coordinator at 212-400-8150.
Humanitarian Aid to Colombia
Spence-Chapin has a commitment to the children in Colombia who may not find permanent homes through adoption. Spence-Chapin helps to support the maternity shelter at Los Chiquitines, an orphanage located in Cali, Colombia. At this residence, Colombian birth mothers are provided with prenatal care and counseling as they make plans for their child's future. The maternity shelter also offers job training for mothers preparing to enter the workforce. We additionally help to fund a youth soccer program at Los Chiquitines and have provided many other donations to this orphanage during our longstanding partnership. Spence-Chapin is excited to be focusing on Colombia as the location for our newest Granny Program to be opened in 2009!
To learn more about our humanitarian aid programs and how you can support them, please view our Helping Children Abroad page.
Cost Guidelines
There are four categories of fees and expenses that adoptive families should anticipate when considering an international adoption. For an explanation of these, please refer to the Understanding Fees and Expenses page. Included in these fees is a separate foreign country program fee which varies. For Colombia it is $3,255.