Colombia provides a unique opportunity for select adoptable children, aged 10-15, to participate in sponsored vacation trips to host families in the US. The aim is to foster connections between the children and prospective adoptive families in the US, potentially leading to a lifelong family bond created by adoption. During these trips, children stay with a "host" family—individuals or couples considering adoption—and immerse themselves in the host family’s life while sharing in various vacation activities.
This unique program not only offers children residing in institutions or foster care in the care of the Colombian government welfare system (ICBF) an enriching experience they might otherwise miss but also exposes them to the dynamics of a healthy family life. For host parents it provides an opportunity to assess compatibility with older children and explore the potential for adoption. Should the host family decide to adopt, the process may be expedited. This approach allows prospective parents and children to familiarize themselves with each other before committing to adoption, facilitating a smoother transition into family life.
If you are interested in adopting an older child or sibling group from Colombia after hosting the child, then this program is for you! It is imperative that you pre-qualify through International Adoption Net (IAN) to ensure that you meet Colombia's requirements for adoption before committing your time, money and emotions to hosting a child that you may or may not qualify to adopt.
IAN’s program is geared toward adoption between the child and host family, which is why we pre-qualify applicants for adoption prior to hosting. Here are some basics of the requirements.
The vacation program occurs in the US and applicants must currently live in the US.
At least one person in the marriage must be a US Citizen which is also required of single applicants as well.
There should be no more than 59 years age difference between the child and oldest host/adoptive parent.
PAPs must demonstrate the means to support the physical and educational needs of the child.
Anyone using psychotropic medication (such as for anxiety or anti-depression, etc.) with a history of psychiatric conditions, or with a chronic or debilitating illness or criminal history should please speak with us first.
All the children must be legally free for adoption before joining the program. From a potential adoption standpoint this significantly reduces the chance of risk in not being able to adopt the child after bonding during the vacation. If the host parents decide to adopt the child, the child also has the right to decide about being adopted by their host parent/s. Usually all parties are in agreement.
The children are interviewed prior to selection in the program, to learn about his/her life, interests and dreams of the future. This supplements what we will learn about the child through review of his/her documents and conversation with his/her social worker/psychologist. Host families will be provided with information from these interviews and a translated copy of the child’s report containing information about the child, their history, any diagnoses, interests, behaviors and needs.
Individual children ages 10-15, and some sibling groups who meet ICBF criteria, are authorized to participate in the program. It is not possible to host a single child or sibling group who are under the age of 10.
The children are usually medically healthy with mild or correctable other special characteristics such as school delays, history of trauma, mild behavior challenges, ADHD, etc.
Based on prior hosting programs, IAN Hosting Program service fee is estimated to be $2700 plus $600 for each additional sibling being hosted.
The Colombian government, participating organizations, and host families co-share in the cost for hosting, and fees for 2024 will be announced soon.
Tentative dates are July 14, 2024 to August 4, 2024 and will be finalized shortly. If you’d like to receive notice when dates and fees have been finalized, please email us at kcarmody@internationaladoptionnet.org.
Address
5600 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Suite #250,
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Phone
303-691-0808
Fax
303-703-8250
Email
info@internationaladoptionnet.org
Hours of Operation
Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
