Press Release FAQ's

Q. Does this mean the Ethiopian program will be allowed to take in new applicants?

A. This is a management agreement for current applicant files to be dealt with and it is not the immediate intent of this agreement to take in new applicants.

Q. What will this mean for present programs of Mission of TEARS (Ontario) such as the South African program?

A. Nothing will change because of this agreement in any of the current programs run by Mission of TEARS (Ontario).  For example the South African program has expertise on both sides of the program to better serve the agency and adoptive families in the upcoming years.  Everyone knows Robyn Shepstone and she will continue on with serving the families in South Africa.  Also Marc Rijkenberg brings his learnt experience as a former South African magistrate, lawyer and citizen to the position of Program Director South Africa and Development Director for all Africa.  Other experienced and long time staffers such as Elaine Sternell can now focus on training new staff as needed and managing and serving other program needs for the agency.   This agreement will allow more time for the Executive Director, Gordon Lewis, to lead , build and add to the agency in new program development and actually take the demand off some current  programs.

Q. Will Imagine Adoption families have first excess to programs of Mission of TEARS (Ontario) such as South Africa?

A. No they will not have any special access because of this agreement.  All persons wanting to adopt through Mission of TEARS (Ontario) no matter what country applied for must first be accepted in writing through our application process without exceptions.  The intent of the agreement is to manage and finish the adoptions applied for by Imagine clients from Ethiopia and in doing so to maintain this country as a viable program for future applicants.

Q. How many clients will this create now in total for the agency and what assurance is there that this case load can be properly served?

A. The numbers of client cases including the current files listed with us now will comprise a total of 210 cases spread over 8 licensed countries with Mission of TEARS (Ontario) and includes both relative, non relative, special procedures  and non compliant case loads.  The diversity in the case types, countries and procedures for each allow for a balanced management overall. 

Q. Will there be any additional costs to your present client base?

A. The agreement will not create any additional costs to our present applicant families.  Imagine Adoption will provide for any expense incurred in serving the Ethiopian applicants as they are doing now.

Q. Is this just more change that has no personnel benefit to me?

A. Your immediate benefit is peace of mind in having confirmed that the agency you already chose to manage your adoption is also chosen and trusted to manage the continuance of the Ethiopian program.  Three key benefits that should be provided by any agency are time, experience and philosophy or vision.  This agreement between the two agencies brings together and combines those elements to better manage all the requirements for adoptive parents.  For current Mission of TEARS (Ontario) clients, it will actually provide for more personalized attention.  This agreement challenges the vision for Mission of TEARS (Ontario) to continue developing more and better benefits in serving all clients by having specific and experienced program managers in place for the South African, Haiti or other programs.  It challenges our philosophy to continue providing and educating for a better child centered program .

Q. Is there any future benefit for me from this agreement?

A. Yes the obvious benefits that this agreement will bring for the future in a more midterm phase are the accessibility for applicants to more adoptive programs and more diversity in available children.  If you are planning a second adoption this would be of great benefit. 

Q. What about communications how will this be done with so many clients?

A. An agency always receives more contacts than usually can be answered.  The strategy for this agreement will be to provide a weekly email sent to each applicant of the various programs and  pre assigned on a day of the week to answer to the specific questions of that week.  At the same time this will allow for updates to be added in as well.  In parallel to this action updates will be provided on Mission of TEARS (Ontario) web site.  For example if you email a question on South Africa it will be responded to you privately on the weekday set aside for all responses.  Obviously, this would not apply to urgent matters so a question will be subject to answer based on the priority it poses.

Q. Will this slow my adoption down and make me wait longer?

A. No, adoptions work in time lines based on children available vs. children requested and the specifics of your country or other key issues such as immigration visa/citizenships being issued are factors. 

Q. What if I do not agree with what Mission of TEARS (Ontario) is undertaking to do?

A. If you truly believe that what is being done will hinder  your present adoption opportunity undertaken with us then we will respect whatever decision you feel to take that does not conflict with our present Service Agreement with you.

Q. Why does Mission of TEARS (Ontario) feel they need to form this agreement?

A. The agreement is not being developed based on any one identifiable need but is driven by an recognized cooperative spirit between two organizations.  This agreement combines and offers an opportunity to develop a stronger singular identity to better represent inter country adoptions overall.  It will correct the misconceptions and heal the hurtful thinking that adoption is driven by business philosophy alone.  If one need could clearly define why this is being done on our part it would be to allow inter country adoptions to regain a proper credible and professional perspective that it so deserves.  Our mandate Teaching, Education, Advocating, Resourcing, Serving, found in our agency name” TEARS "  represents the reality placed on those who prepare for adoptions and those who provided that professional preparedness.  

Q. How does this agreement fit with Mission of TEARS (Ontario) philosophy as a Christian based organization?

A. Mission of TEARS (Ontario) is a faith based organization and we maintain that stance.  This agreement certainly does not detract from our Christian values.  It needs to be pointed out that Mission of TEARS (Ontario) does not use our Christian values to filter out who we will or will not work with.  Instead our values outline how adoptions should be conducted and set our operational philosophy on adoptions by including spiritual or biblical principles.   It also requires that we hold ourselves accountable and work in the ethical requirements dictated by those who are stake holders be it government or individuals.  Combining our own philosophy with the policies and principles at the operational level subjects all our adoption procedures to the best practice principles, child centered practices, social work principles, regulations, laws either foreign or domestic, international treaties and research in adoption issues. 

LICENSED ADOPTION AGENCY
Mission of TEARS (Ontario), 50 Gervais Drive, Suite 504, Toronto, ON, Canada M3C 1Z3
Tel:  416-449-0018  Fax:  416-449-0243  www.myadoption.ca

The Board and the Staff of the agency have worked diligently over the past sixteen months to rebuild and restructure the remnants of Kids Link / Imagine Adoption agency.  Through the efforts of both, and with the support of adoptive families and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, the near tragedy facing the families in the summer of 2009 has been averted.
 
The first year was truly a success, but there is no time to rest on our laurels as there are still many children in Ethiopia waiting for families and families here awaiting referrals.  As the Board projected and reviewed the long term strategic items facing the agency, a number of issues were identified and felt to be risk factors that needed to be addressed.

 The greatest challenge in the Board's assessment is structuring the agency in a fashion that assures its long-term viability. Sustainability of an agency would incorporate the capacity to welcome new families to the Ethiopia program, as well as the addition of new programs for adoptive families. Without these two essential measures, it is impossible to maintain a viable adoption agency in the current climate of international adoption.
 
After assessing and analyzing the options available to the Board to achieve this needed goal, it was determined that it was impossible to do so with the current structure without an active Executive Director.  Accordingly the option of seeking the assistance of service through an already well-established agency was explored. The conclusion was the proposal we are presenting to you, that of an agreement with Mission of Tears, which addresses the concerns for the future and places Kids Link/Imagine in a position of long-term sustainability.
 
We feel that this partnership is truly a mutual beneficial relationship which will be assist children awaiting families, as well as those adoptive families anxiously anticipating placement of a child.

DOES THE MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES AS WELL AS BDO KNOW OF THIS PARTNERSHIP?

The Board of Directors have kept all governing bodies up to date on the direction of the agency from the onset of the discussions.  To date, there are no concerns by the related parties and we are being fully supported in this partnership.

With this partnership being concluded, BDO has released their submission of the Trustee Report to the families (which will be available on their website today at bdo.ca/imagineadoption.)  The report fully acknowledges the partnership as well as the performance of the agency against the proposal.

BDO will be finishing off their obligations as the Trustee.  They will be forwarding required documents to the courts to lift the agency from the terms of the proposal, which will conclude BDO's involvement.

WHAT HAPPENS TO IMAGINE ADOPTION AND WHO WILL MANAGE THIS PARTNERSHIP MOVING FORWARD?

The current identity of Imagine Adoption will continue as it is the corporation that holds the licenses to facilitate adoptions in Ethiopia.   The partnership with Mission of TEARS (Ontario) is to provide service to Imagine Adoption as it pertains to file management for the families.

It will be the responsibility of the Board of Directors to insure that proper governances and proper oversight of the new partnership is being completed on a regular basis.   This will include all areas of management including but not limited to the performance standards of the agency, as well as all aspects of cash management under the partnership agreement.

HOW WILL THIS PARTNERSHIP AFFECT OUR CURRENT OPERATION IN CANADA?

As a Board, we have carefully considered the partnership agreement and it is acknowledged that this will have an impact to our current operations in Canada. 
From the onset of our discussions, the staff members of Imagine Adoption have not been involved and were only recently advised of the new direction the agency would be taking. It is with the deepest regret that the partnership agreement will result in the closure of Cambridge, Ontario office.  The office will be relocated to the current facility of Mission of TEARS (Ontario) in Toronto, Ontario. 
 
This closure comes with the unfortunate realization that our current employees will be transitioning themselves out of their jobs by assisting with the partnership agreement to make the transition smooth for the families.   During this transition period, communications and file management will remain with the current staff at the start, but during the time to follow, this will be moved to the staffing of the Toronto, Ontario office.

WITH THE CHANGES IN OUR CURRENT OPERATIONS IN CANADA, WHAT WILL THE PROCESS LOOK LIKE FOR THE FAMILIES?

With the transition in Canada, the Board has reviewed the integrity of our program and feel that the processes in Canada will not be significantly altered nor impacted with the change.   This new partnership will be transparent to the overall process and regular updates will continue on the same paths as the families are familiar with today.

HOW WILL THIS PARTNERSHIP AFFECT OUR CURRENT OPERATION IN ETHIOPIA?

As a Board, we have carefully considered the partnership agreement and the direct impact that it will have on all aspects of the operations in Ethiopia.  The Board is confident that the structure of our Ethiopian operations will remain similar under the new partnership and will be consistent with the ways that we are currently operating.  Key comments to this are as follows:

- Our current employees in Ethiopia will remain under the same employment contracts that have been in place since we resumed operations in October of 2009.

- Our current transition house will remain to be part of our structured approach of completing the adoption cycle for the families of Imagine Adoption.

- Our current orphanage partners will remain under the same contracts that we have been operating under during the past number of months.

- With status quo for our Ethiopian operation, the new partnership agreement will provide the same level of care for the children of Ethiopia.
We do fully acknowledge that we are always looking for ways of gaining efficiencies in all aspects of our operation and we that will be continually looking at the operations overseas to insure we are doing everything we can in the best interests of the families.

WHAT HAPPENS TO IMAGINE ADOPTION CLIENTS AND CAN WE BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY CURRENT FAMILIES OF MISSION OF TEARS (ONTARIO)?

We have insured through the entire process that the current families of Imagine Adoption will not be impacted by the current families of Mission of TEARS (Ontario)
The current families of Imagine Adoption will be the only families that are being represented in the Ethiopian program and will be the sole benefactor of all referrals.  No other families will enter in to the program, until such time as a decision is made by the Board of Directors, and Ministry approval is obtained, to accept new clients.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FINANCIAL RECORDS OF IMAGINE ADOPTION CLIENTS?

The money that is held by the agency will remain the control of the Board of Directors of Imagine Adoption and shall not be intermingled with the operations of Mission of TEARS (Ontario).

WHAT EXPERIENCE DOES REV. GORDON LEWIS HAVE IN ETHIOPIA AS IT PERTAINS TO ADOPTIONS?

Rev. Gordon Lewis has knowledge and experience as it pertains to adoptions in Ethiopia.  Over the years, Mission of TEARS has represented families who have completed adoptions in partnership with another agency.

As part of the discussions pertaining to this partnership, it is acknowledged that it will be important for Rev. Gordon Lewis to travel to Ethiopia in the very near future to see the operations and get a better handle of the adoption program in Ethiopia.  Rev. Gordon Lewis as well as the Board is committed to this and we will be sending representatives to Ethiopia shortly after the partnership is launched to introduce and explain the partnership and to insure to our key strategic partners that we are committed to the success of the agency.

SO WITH ALL OF THIS SAID, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE FAMILIES OF IMAGINE ADOPTION?

As the Board progressed with this partnership agreement, we have always placed at the top of mind the well-being of the children and the families involved with Imagine Adoption.

We feel confident that this partnership has been positioned in a way that service levels to the families, related costs for those same services as well as the general referral rate will remain consistent to what has been experienced over the past number of months.
 
Although there will be growing pains to the families when it comes to the agency staffing and office location, the long term goals of the agency will remain the same and should come with minimal disruptions to the families.

We do ask the families to forward any inquires about the communications that have been send today to board@imagineadoption.ca.  We will be monitoring the mail box on a consistent basis and we are committed to providing updates /comments to families on regular basis to keep the families well informed during the transition.

In addition, if significant demand is requested by families, Imagine will host an information session for Imagine families, to provide an opportunity to meet with the leadership of the two organizations and to answer questions regarding the arrangement.  This meeting will be held in Cambridge and details would follow if the demand calls for such meeting.

Respectfully,

The Board of Directors

1. What is adoption?

Adoption is defined on three grounds;

1-Medical procedure or adaptability of children; the desired result of any adoption is to have the child and adoptive parents bond together as naturally as possible. However, it is not always possible for every child or every adoptive parent to bond together. Adoption therefore can be defined as a medical procedure based on clearly defined risk factors. This fact is noted in the terminology of adoption when the child is said to be "matched” with the parents.

2- Legal procedure or policy and laws; in the child’s birth country and the homeland of perspective adoptive parents that will govern the adoption. Therefore adoption becomes the legal process of uniting child and adoptive parents while first protecting the rights of that child’s birth parents. Today, all international adoptions are done under international laws such as the Hague Treaty and the International Adoption Act.

3-Life Long Procedure or the reality that the adjustment to adoption never really ends. Most adoptions have some legally required Post Adoption Procedures that can monitor the child’s immediate adjustment into the adoptive family and visa versa. However most professionals agree that adjustments for child and family observed in adoptions have many different phases over time having both long and short-term effects. This is why adoptive families are encouraged to start a "life book” as early into the adoption procedure as possible.

2. Who are the children available for adoption?

• Infants, toddlers and children of all ages are available for adoption.
• Most of these children come from orphanages.
• Majority of times these children are abandoned by biological parents for socio-economic reasons and are called "social orphans”.
• All the background information and health history is made available to parents. Such as test results on the HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis etc.
• In Ontario only children below three years of age are considered for adoption

3. Who can adopt?

Eligibility criteria for parents differ according to the country they are adopting from though there are general focal points considered by the foreign laws like

• Age of both parents
• Health of parents
• Socio-economic background
• Marital status
• Length of marriage
• Number of biological children
• Home study approval and recommendation
• Able to provide required documentation meeting foreign requirements

4. What is the procedure of adoption?

There are two similar processes involved in inter country adoption.

1 - One to be completed in Canada

2 - One to be completed overseas

• Home study
• Provincial approval
• Immigration application
• Documentation for overseas dossier
• Agency representation

Overseas

• Identification of child
• Medicals of child
• Legal process
• Acquiring visa to Canada
• Agency representation

5. How long do we have to wait?

An average wait time for overseas adoption in Canada is 1 to 2 years, depending on the country of choice. Hague Treaty countries can require the longest waiting time.

6. How much does it cost?

Cost of adoption varies from country to country. We at Mission of T.E.A.R.S. believe that all parents incurred the cost in terms of Time, Money and Emotion.

7. Can we register with more than one agency at a time?

Yes it is possible, although there are specific polices used in directive on this from the province of Ontario, which restricts this practice. It also depends on the policy of the agency you have chosen. This is more common when families originally had registered with a CAS office and then turned to an international agency later on.

8. Do we have to travel overseas for adoption?

To certain countries on the basis of their laws it is mandatory for parents to be physically present to accept the child. However other countries do not require parents to travel but they are the exceptions and are in the very small minority.

9. Who takes care of the legal process for us?

In Canada licensed agencies are required for certain provinces to provide legal support to parents applying to international adoption. Ontario is one such province. All of the agencies have to work with the home study recommendations of the licensed legal practitioners.

Most of the agencies have a partner agency overseas, which takes care of the process in the country of the child’s origin.

10. Are inter-country adoptions open or closed?

Depends on the country of origin of the child, some countries allow open adoption where as some of them have strong reservations on the open adoptions.

11.Can special needs or partially handicapped parents adopt a child?

Yes, however each case will be reviewed individually and custom designed for the process of adoption. Law in Ontario does not restrict handicapped persons from adopting. At the same time there might be reservations on accepting these parents in the country of the child’s origin.

12.How can we learn more about adoptions?

• Give us a call and set up an appointment for a personal interview
• If you are outside GTA, invite us for a group meeting (Information session) in your area.
• Visit our Web - Link section for a list of some excellent site’s.
• It is important if you feel your circumstances are unusual to have a strategy meeting with an agency first