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What is a "Waiting Child?"

A Waiting Child is a child who is in immediate need of adoption and is ready to be matched with an adoptive family. We regularly receive information from our international partners about children who are in need of immediate adoption. The child has been identified by their caretakers as a child who would thrive in an adoptive family. 

How to Learn More About Waiting Children

Due to privacy concerns, we don't publicly display photos of the children. However, we can provide more information on our secure Waiting Child pages. To access these pages, you'll need to create an account. If you encounter any difficulties creating an account, please contact us at lisa@agapeadoptions.org for assistance.

How Does a Child Become a Waiting Child?

Most Waiting Children have identified medical or developmental special needs. In adoption, “special needs” refers not only to a child who is differently-abled, but also to children whose risk factors for disability, age, racial or ethnic background, or other characteristics often make them more difficult to place. Some of these needs may be considered minor in the US; while other conditions may be more significant and even encompass multiple diagnoses. Medical or behavioral needs, sibling groups, and age may all be factors. 

The common thread is that these children are all ready to be matched for adoption. Our partners in Bulgaria, Dominican Republic, Ghana Honduras, Hong Kong, and Uganda identify children who are in immediate need of a safe, permanent, and loving family. 

When adopting a child with special needs, Agape Adoptions strongly encourages families to research the medical needs they are open to, as well as consult with their family physician and/or an international adoption clinic for more information about the particular health issues their child may have.

How is the process of adopting a Waiting Child different?

The adoption process can vary depending on the country and the specific Waiting Child. Here's a general overview of the key differences:

• Eligibility Requirements: Some countries may be more flexible with eligibility requirements for families adopting Waiting Children. However, this is not always the case. It's best to contact us at 253-987-5804 or agape@agapeadoptions.org to discuss the specific requirements for the country and Waiting Child you're interested in.
   
• Process Timeline: Traditionally, families wouldn't receive information about a child until after completing paperwork for a specific country. When adopting a Waiting Child, you can often identify a child you'd like to adopt first and then begin the paperwork process.
   
• Access to Information:  In most cases, families adopting Waiting Children have access to more detailed information about the child's medical, emotional, and behavioral needs. 

Please feel free to contact us at 253-987-5804 or agape@agapeadoptions.org with additional questions.