Raul Needs a Family

Dear Friends,

Please help us find a forever family for this little guy. Please also forward and post as appropriate. Let us all work together this New Year to make this happen. Thank you!
Abandoned by his mother in Albania, Raul, along with his older sister, Antonela, was taken in by his grandmother. For the first year of Raul’s life, she struggled to care for her grandchildren with her own health and family problems. Slowly, however, she began to realize that something was “not right.” A friend directed her to a clinic for help. Clinic staff could see immediately that both children had health problems and that their grandmother had reached the end of her ability to care for them.
Soon Raul and Antonela were placed in a group home. Antonela was diagnosed with thalassemia and Raul with cerebral palsy. He was 13 months old. Group Home staff, house parents, and other volunteers began to work with Raul, as he was unable to even sit up by himself. With consistent care, he began to slowly progress. It took almost two years, but with a special donation from a volunteer and cooperation between the Pediatric Hospital and adoption agency, Raul began to receive weekly physical therapy. In a country where services for those with physical disabilities are only beginning to develop, this was a huge success!

In the last three years, Raul has made great progress. He is able to sit up independently, to army crawl, to pull himself up and walk leaning on furniture, to feed himself, and to communicate his needs/wants with gestures. He has also learned to propel himself in a wheelchair. Now, through a generous gift of a specialized walker, Raul is learning to walk. He continues to need assistance and support, but he clearly loves to be up and walking like everyone else!

Raul’s grandmother continued to faithfully visit him and his sister. Their mother has not made any contact in a long time. So, with their grandmother’s permission, the children were made available for adoption. Antonela’s miracle happened last December when she went home to Michigan with her new family.

Everyone who meets him falls in love with this little boy, thanks to his endearing personality and bright smile. Everyone involved in Raul’s care sees his great potential. Raul is waiting for a chance to reach that potential; waiting to have his greatest need filled; waiting for a family of his own.
Although Raul is thriving in the group home, he continues to wait for a special family to take him home. This month Raul may be transferred to an orphanage and be deemed "unadoptable." Please help us find a forever family for Raul.
Because many organizations are working together on behalf of Raul, we are hopeful that the international adoption fees involved will be covered by donations and grants. Also Antonela's adoptive family is open to speaking to anyone interested in their daughter's brother and to learn more about their positive adoption experiences in Albania.
Best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year. Thank you for assisting us to find Raul his family.
Adoption STAR, Inc.

Albania Policies and Requirements
The following policies are based on the regulations, policies, and requirements set forth by the Albania Adoption Committee (AAC), Albania’s adoption authority.
Please note that these policies and requirements are subject to change at any point in the adoption process.
For Parents
1. Age of Parents: No less than 18 years between parent and child. Maximum age difference is 45 years. Families with parents over the age of 50 will not qualify for registration with AAC. However, in the case of older children or COP children the Committee may allow an exception.
2. Marriage (divorce): Length of marriage at application varies. No more than one previous divorce per spouse preferred.
3. Children in Family: AAC does not specifically limit the number of children that a family may already have when they apply to adopt. However, families without children are given priority in the referral process. Families with children already in the home will need to provide financial statements showing their ability to provide for additional children.
4. Single Applicants: Single adoptive applicants must be a minimum of 25 years of age.
5. Income: Family must meet USCIS guidelines for income.
6. Health of Parents: AAC is reluctant to accept an applicant with a significant medical, physiological, or psychiatric condition. If a client currently has a significant medical condition, a letter or recommendation, which describes the illness and whether the illness limits the client in any way, must be provided by the doctor who treats the client.
7. Crime history / substance abuse history: Applicants with criminal history or history of alcohol and/or substance abuse will not be accepted to the registry by AAC.
8. Gender Specification: Childless couples are not permitted to specify the sex of the child but rather must be willing to accept either sex.
9. Adoption of more than one child: Adoption of more than one unrelated child at the same time is not permitted. AAC does not allow for the adoption of a child who is pre-identified with the exception of children who are listed as special needs on the COP database with Bethany International.
10. Previous adoption / birth: Arrival of children should not be too close together; there must be a full year's difference in time of arrival of children in the family, whether by birth or adoption.
11. Travel Requirements: Both parents must travel to complete the adoption process as the adoption is finalized in Albania. One parent may leave after court if necessary. Expected length of stay is 45+ days if one trip. If two trips, first trip is 21+ days, and second trip 14-21 days.
12. Educational Requirements: HS diploma.
13. Cultural: Families will encourage activities and cultural events that promote positive Albanian heritage to the families and adopted children.
14. Post Adoption Report. The family must agree to provide six (6) Post Adoption reports. These reports are to be received in our office within two (2) weeks of arrival, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months and completed by your home study agency. At least six (6) to eight (8) pictures MUST accompany all reports. Pictures MUST include one (1) of the entire family. This is required by the Albanian Adoption Committee.
15. Risk Statement: if for any reason it is necessary to break the adoption, Bethany Christian Services, Inc. will assist to seek the best interest of the child and place the child with another suitable family. Bethany will notify the Albanian Adoption Committee of this action/decision. Bethany will not take legal guardianship.
For Children Available for International Adoption
1. Age of Kids Available: Only children who are legally considered orphans by the governments of Albania and the United States will be considered for adoption. They must be under the age of 16 years. Though Bethany Albania does have an orphanage with children ages 0-6 years, children referred to families may come from any of the orphanages in Albania.
2. Abandonment: All children must be first available to the Albanian people over a period of six (6) months, after being placed on the Committee's list for adoption. After this six (6) month period, they may be available for international adoption.
3. Special Needs: Children with medical/developmental needs will be processed in the same manner as all other children.


Zachary Fried
Intake Worker

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Adoption STAR, Inc.
A NYS Authorized and Florida Licensed Non-Profit Adoption Agency
Hague Accredited Adoption Service Provider
STAR stands for Support, Training, Advocacy and Resources

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Williamsville, NY 14221
Phone 716-639-3900
Fax 716-639-3700

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Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
Phone 954-566-6055
Fax 954-566-6255

E-Mail zachary@adoptionstar.com
Website http://www.adoptionstar.com/

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