A Unique Latin America Program through Children’s Home
THE ECUADOR PROGRAM
Ecuador is a Hague country. Our Ecuador program offers a Waiting Child Track. For information on adopting relatives or other identified children, please contact us.
CHILDREN IN ECUADOR
Children from Ecuador are eligible for international adoption when they receive “Sentencia de Adoptabilidad.” Generally children are 2-15 years at time of match. The greatest need is for families open to school-age children (5-15 years), sibling groups and children with identified needs that may include histories of trauma involving abuse and neglect. 
THE CARE IN ecuador
Children in Ecuador are cared for in government and private orphanages. Children receive medical care, nutrition and education. The quality of care can vary widely. As numerous studies have demonstrated, institutional care is not conducive to optimal development, therefore children may experience orphanage-related delays.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Like all international adoption programs, Ecuador has its own specific eligibility requirements for adoptive parents. The basic requirements indicate applicants should be between the ages of 25 and 51 at the time of child referral. Additionally, there needs to be at least 14 years between the age of the younger parent and the child and no more than 45 years between the age of the older parent and the child being adopted. Applicants can have no serious physical or mental health concerns or criminal history. Heterosexual couples should be married a minimum of three years at the time of home study approval. Single women may adopt. Applicants must be able to travel to Ecuador per the requirements of the process.
Flexibility regarding eligibility may be available for families adopting relatives. Please contact us to discuss your situation.
THE PROCESS
A previous or current home study is needed to review a waiting child’s profile and to initially match with the child. If you live in MN, Western WI, MD or VA, Children’s Home and LSS can complete your home study. If you live elsewhere, you need to find an agency licensed in your state to complete your home study and we will serve as the primary provider/placing agency.
After a Letter of Intent is submitted to Ecuador and you are officially matched to a child in Ecuador, we will guide you through the USCIS application and approval process and assist you in compiling a dossier. Applicants need to travel to Ecuador with one parent staying for the entire eight-week trip; for married couples one parent may return to the United States after approximately four weeks. Post placement reporting is required at 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 months after the adoption is completed in Ecuador.
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