The following are common policies and procedures that are requested from Holt by our families and social workers. For other policies and procedures contact us!
General Eligibility Requirements
Parent eligibility varies greatly from country to country and the needs of our specific children. The best way to learn which countries you are eligible to adopt from is to call us! We can walk you through all the details, and help determine which country program may be best for your family. Holt does not discriminate based upon race, religion, age, or marital status. However, some countries have limitations based on some of those factors.
International Adoption Service Agreement (IASA) and Client Complaint/Grievance Procedure
Click here for the full IASA and the Client Complaint and Grievance Procedure.
One Year Separation Between Placements
Because Holt believes that it is very important to allow time for the child and family to adjust after the addition of each new child or children, at least one year should separate the arrival of children into the family. Children coming from overseas, in particular, have suffered at least two losses of caretakers and experienced shifts and transitions in personal relationships and cultural patterns. Constancy, consistency and parental availability over many months are essential if they are to make a successful adjustment into the family.
Parent(s) are required to notify Holt immediately when they learn of pregnancy or assignment of a child from elsewhere. The family’s adoption process with Holt will be discontinued if less than one year separates the arrival of the children into the family. Exceptions to this policy will be made in only rare instances and when the following conditions exist:
- Placement is approved by overseas placing program
- It is anticipated that both children are young and reasonably healthy
- The family can demonstrate available extended family and/or supportive network
- A thorough assessment is conducted by the direct service worker and placement is recommended
- Approved by the Vice President of Adoption Services
Discipline and Adoptive Parenting
Children eligible for adoption come to their adoptive families with difficult histories. Dr. Karyn Purvis, who has spent over a decade developing research based interventions for at-risk kids, refers to children who have a tough start in life as “kids from hard places”. A common experience shared by all adopted children is loss – including the loss of their birth families. Many of these children are also victims of abuse or neglect; the details of which we may never know. The trauma adopted children experience can cause changes in their nervous systems. As a result, adopted children often interpret and react to situations very differently than children who have not experienced this trauma. Click here for the full policy.
Family Service and Monitoring Plan
Holt International Children’s Services, Inc. is committed to excellence in service in finding families for children. This service plan outlines how Holt will coordinate and deliver international adoption services to your family. Please refer to Holt’s International Adoption Services Agreement and Placement Agreement for more information regarding each party’s roles and responsibilities in this process. Click here for the full Example of the Family Service Plan.