Philippines

WHAT IS THE PHILIPPINES “SPECIAL HOME FIND” PROGRAM?

Special Home Find is a process to find families for children in the Philippines who either: 1) have a special need, or 2) are over 9 years old, or 3) are part of a sibling group of 2 or more generally older children. Families who apply for these children may be either brand new or those who have already submitted an application to the Philippines. Singles and married couples over 27 years old may apply.  More detailed family requirements are available on Hand In Hand's Philippines Program Summary, and below, but exceptions to some of the family guidelines may be considered for the Special Home Find Program.

PHILIPPINE ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS
Effective November 1, 2009, foreign adoption agencies should no longer accept families for the Philippine program who have the following medical and psychological issues as they will no longer be accepted by ICAB:

List of unacceptable medical issues:

1. Diabetes Mellitus
2. Obese (BMI of PAPs should be 35 and below)
3. Cancer
4. Kidney transplant and any major transplant (heart, lung, liver)
5. Pacemaker/stroke/myocardial infarction
6. Multiple sclerosis and other degenerative muscular disorder
7. Autoimmune disorders
8. Risk factors that will impede care for the child (e.g. blind, deaf, wheelchair bound)
9. Hepa C

List of unacceptable psychological issues:
1. Psychiatric disorders
2. Mood disorders/major depressive disorders
3. Anxiety disorders
4. Substance use disorders
5. Sexual disorders

Other requirements:
•At least 27 years old
•At least a high school diploma
•A minimum annual income of $40,000
•Married at least three years (or one year plus multiple years of cohabitation)
•No more than two divorce histories
•A reference letter from a pastor or priest who has known you 5 or more years

Single applicants may be considered for children ages 9 – 15.

From the Inter-Country Adoption Board:

Effective February 4, 2013, PAPs with Diabetes Mellitus are not automatically disqualified as PAPs, only those with "Complicated Diabetes" and/or "Metabolic Syndrome" are disqualified from the Philippine program. Other unacceptable medical conditions previously issued by the Board remain the same.

On the psychological requirements, some personality disorders have been added as unacceptable psychological conditions effecting in automatic disqualification. Other unacceptable psychological conditions earlier issued remain.


HOW TO ADOPT A SPECIAL HOME FIND CHILD

See written information about children who are waiting for families by asking for a comprehensive list from indiana@hihiadopt.org or by seeing it on the Hand In Hand Facebook page, website, or e-newsletter.

•When you see a child you want to learn more about, ask a Hand In Hand office to send you more complete information, including a photo.

•Understand that the Philippine government has shared the children’s information with several agencies around the world all at the same time, so it is possible that other families are considering the same child at the same time.

•Be sure you meet the eligibility requirements for adoption from the Philippines by checking the Philippines page on our website at www.hihiadopt.org .

•Identify a child you would like to adopt and inform a Hand In Hand office. We will then confer with the Intercountry Adoption Board (ICAB) in the Philippines to confirm the child is still waiting to be matched and then ask to have that child placed on hold for you.

•If you are not already a Hand In Hand family, then you will submit an application, fee agreement and application fee to Hand In Hand. We will then work with you to complete a home study, immigration approval, and a dossier. The dossier will be submitted to ICAB in the Philippines where they will expedite its review.

•ICAB will review your dossier and the case study and recommendation written on the child by the child-caring agency to determine whether they agree it is a good match. Occasionally ICAB will ask for more information from the family or share updated information on the child with the family to ensure the family is still interested.

•Once ICAB approves and formally matches you to the child, we will assist you with the remaining immigration process and prepare you for your travel.

•Travel is required. The trip is one week long. Both parents are strongly encouraged to travel.

• The process may take up to one year to complete.

•Philippine children are brought home under guardianship and later adopted in the US after a six-month post placement period in which three post placement reports will be completed.