Haiti

The Datz Foundation has placed Haitian children in French homes for many years, and it has begun a placement program in the United States and other European countries.  Here are the main points:

THE CHILDREN:  They currently reside in one of two private orphanages with which The Datz Foundation collaborates.  Both are in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.  The orphanages are run by Haitians with long experience in and dedication to child welfare.  The children have come into care for various reasons, but in most cases, their biological parents are unable to provide for them and have determined that their best interests lie in adoption.  There are children ranging from newborns to school-age.  The majority of children legally available for adoption by foreigners are toddlers.  Like most Haitians, their ancestors came originally from Africa.  Each orphanage has a high ratio of caregivers to children.  A local pediatrician examines the children regularly.

THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS:  Married couples and single women are welcome.  Because of a bias against single adoptive fathers within the Haitian social services and legal systems, we unfortunately cannot encourage applications by unmarried men at this point.

THE PROCESS: 

1. The Datz Foundation assists the adoptive family in preparing its "dossier", approximately fourteen documents which need to be authenticated by the Consulate of Haiti in the United States, and then translated into French in Haiti.
2. A child is offered, according to the gender and age requests of the adoptive family.  Photos, medical and social information are all provided.
3. If the adoptive family decides to go forward, the case is filed with IBESR, the Haitian social services agency.  An extensive review of the circumstances of the placement is carried out, a process that can last for up to eight months.
4. IBESR issues its approval; the Civil Court with jurisdiction over the child's place of residence enters the final decree of adoption.
5. The United States Dept. of Homeland Security in Haiti investigates the case, and when it grants its approval, recommends that the Dept. of State issues a visa for the child to enter the United States.
6. The adoptive family travels to Port-au-Prince for a period of three or four days in order to apply for the child's visa.

As can be seen, the process is lengthy, and can take up to a year.  During that period, the adoptive family may travel to Haiti to visit their future child.

THE FEES:  (aside from the home study and fees paid to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of Dept. of Homeland Security)

1. The Datz Foundation fee:  $5,000 if the adoptive family prepares its dossier with our assistance; $6,300 if The Datz Foundation prepares the dossier for the family.
2. The orphanage in Haiti:  approx. $10,500
3. DNA test to establish maternity:  approx. $400
4. Psychological evaluation of adoptive parents (in addition to home study):  fee varies, but $800 might be typical