Aanchal Report Summary Please keep a copy of the report handy. Up to 2 questions can be asked at the end of each slide. If you don’t get the opportunity please wait till the very end when we have a proper question session.
The Divisions � A Background on the system Terms, organizations, statistics � � The Entire Process Start to finish � � Problems and Solutions Problems, what others are doing and recommendations � � Some Extra Information Sample reports and some references �
Terms � Several abbreviations are used as a common standard across the sector � Terms that will be used by agencies and other organizations when you contact them � So please know them
Organizations � Start with a look at the Hague Convention � Then go down the ladder of the important bodies that play a key part in the adoption process CARA CWC ACAs (formerly VCAs) ASAs (likely to include the ICSW) EFAAs RIPAs LAPAs Shishu Grehs
Statistics in India Statistics for in-country adoption � Look at adoptions specifically in Mumbai � From the NAAF report � Then adoptions across the country � From CARA � Finally data based on a presentation by a Dr. Groza � Problem is data sets are not complete � First only goes under 2 of 3 Acts and only goes up to 2004 � Second only considers a few agency types and only goes up to 2008 � Third only was presented in 2002 �
Global Statistics Comparison � First looks at inter-country adoptions � Using two of the the same data sources as the last section � CARA and NAAF � Then look in detail at certain countries over the last decade � India has a relatively small share of the total number of inter-country adoptions done by each country
The Adoption Process � Gives a visual walkthrough different stages of the adoption � I just split it up into these segments for ease of explanation � There are 7 stages in total � All the blue steps need to be taken by everyone doing the processing � All the green steps only need to be taken by inter country adoption PAPs
Stage 0 – The Child’s Processing � Child abandoned/relinquished � Police and social workers try to find the biological mother � If no one is found, CWC declares the child free for adoption � Child put into care of Agency � Extra step for IA is they need to be declared legally free with an NOC from the ACA
Stage 1a – The International Process Begins � Register with the EFAA � Get permission of the competent authority for adopting from India � Application must contain all required documents � Notarize all the documents � EFAA sends the application, HSR etc to RIPA for domestic processing
Stage 1b – The Domestic Process Begins � Register with competent authority � Submit all the required documents � Do the Home Study Report � Note, for interstate adoption HSR is done by RIPA, LAPA or officials in state government (according to the process) � Extra step for IA is to receive an NOC from the ACA and then submit the documents straight to CARA
Stage 2 – A Child is Found � After approval of the documents, one child is found � PAP decides whether they like the child or not � The child can be kept with the ACA if they are not liked, for further domestic opportunities � Child is chosen � Medical history provided � CSR and PER submitted
Stage 3 – The Legalities � Advocate recommended by the agency � Advocate prepares petition and submits to relevant court � As directed by the court, foster care could begin after submission � Court could direct the PAP to make an investment on behalf of the child
Stage 4 – The Child is Home � Court order is given � (Under HAMA) register the adoption deed � Extra step for IA, is that they now have to apply to get a passport and visa for the child � Done by the agency � Process is complete � Post-adoption processing
Stage 5 – Post-Adoption � This is according to Children of the World Trust � Three rounds of follow ups Intervals of 3 months, then 3 more months, then 6 more � months � The report is sent to the ICSW to be scrutinized � The post-adoption processing goes on as long as directed by the court � The agency tries to maintain a relationship with the family
The Timeline � Brief overview of the time it could take to adopt � One more stage is added to this from the above ones, the waiting list � Which can be the longest stage of them all � Uses information from different sources in trying to stipulate how long it takes � The reality is that it changes according to agency, PAP and other factors
The Requirements � There are several requirements that need to be completed by any applicant whether it’s a PAP or child � A single PAP is legally allowed to adopt but there are certain regulations that need to be met in addition to those held by couples � There are certain documents that the PAP is required to submit � To be eligible to be adopted, there are certain requirements that need to be met by the child
The Legalities – The Acts � There are 3 Acts that a PAP can submit their petition under � The GWA – a non-Hindu act � HAMA – a Hindu act � The JJ Act – a secular act � There is a small section on the proposed Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010
The Legalities – Other Nuances � There are several things that have to be done to legally adopt in India � Things like: � The period after relinquishment � No open records system � The ordering of preferences
The Legalities – The Court � A look at which court the petition has to be submitted � GWA not looked at because most don’t follow it any more � JJ Act is ambivalent and just states a court � HAMA sees a court as city civil court or district court � A proper argument is set out in the report
The Costs � Split into in-country and inter-country adoption costs � A break-down of the costs that can be incurred through in-country adoption � Registration charge, maintenance, medical, HSR, legal, ICSW � Fixed adoption cost of $3500 for inter-country adoption
Case Study � A short case study at the two parents I was able to talk to � Some brief details about them � What they thought of the process � Any advice they have
The Problems � There could be others, but this is just some that I discovered � There are several problems that are currently ailing the system � This gives a brief look at several points in question � Tried to match as much documentary proof to the problems
The Problems � Illegal Adoption � Legal Shortfalls � Social Stigma � Timing – The Process � Timing – Putting it off � The Right Agency � Funding, Education and Care
Initiative of Others � There are many organizations that have been working in the field for many years, so there is a lot Pankhudi could learn from them � I just found a few activities from organizations around India that I thought were interesting Things like the “Promoting Positive Adoption Language” and � actually helping upgrade agencies’ facilities, by SuDatta � At the end there is the recommendations from the presentation by Dr. Groza, that sets out some great points
Recommendations � These are just some ideas, inspired by points in the previous section and talking to the Pankhudi volunteers � I tried to match it to the scale of activities that Pankhudi is able to do � It can be split up into 3 headings
Recommendations – Building Awareness � This is the key direction that I believe Pankhudi should go into � The directive is to slowly change the minds of people in society � You can use things like leaflets, seminars and talks � One key point is directing this at the right people � Another point is the need to work with other organizations to truly be able to do this
Recommendations – Educating � The lack of information is an important factor in putting people off adoption and making their lives difficult during the process � An information pack could be created � An extensive site with the full details of the process � With a chat room attached, managed by parents and agencies � A rating site of agencies � Helping set up counseling sessions
Recommendations – Acquiring Resources � Some agencies are less fortunate than others � Come in and help agencies with the children � Raise clothes, food, toys and books for the children � Have a charity drive to raise funds for the poorest agencies
Recommendations – A Key � The key piece in doing all of this is for Pankhudi to set up a network � A network of agencies, parents, organizations all that are passionate about the cause � If you have this resource, then chat rooms and seminars can all come together much more easily
Samples & Reading � This last section just shows a sample of what is in an HSR, PER and CSR � Some sites that could be of use � All the pages and articles used have been uploaded to the Pankhudi Aanchal group
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