News

Crisis in Haiti

In the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, Families First's staff shares the horror and grief experienced worldwide. We also applaud the inspiring strength and resilience exhibited by a nation of people who have had a long history of struggle and pain. We have been awed and thankful as individuals and groups have come forward expressing their desire to help.

For some their compassion and generosity is manifested through a desire to host, foster, or adopt a child or children from Haiti. While we believe that our agency will be able to assist families in achieving those admirable goals in the future, due to the current circumstances in Haiti and the focus on ensuring stability and basic sustenance, from a practical perspective, we are not able to initiate the adoption process of Haitian children at this time. In our commitment to do what is in the best interest of a child and work from a best practice perspective, we fully support reunification of children with their family whenever possible. Although we all wish to ensure that Haitian children who are orphans as a result of the horrific earthquake are rescued and united with "forever families", UNICEF and other local and international agencies have raised concerns that efforts to rescue kids from Haiti could lead to the premature removal of Haitian children from their native country and from their own relatives who could care for them. Furthermore, there are legitimate concerns that many children who appear to be orphaned may have been merely separated from their families and that premature actions could result in missed opportunities to reunify children with relatives and/or could lead to hasty adoptions and placements that put already vulnerable children at greater risk.

As has been painfully apparent, the infrastructure in Haiti has been severely affected and it will take considerable time for that to be repaired. Stateside, many agencies have been working diligently with Haitian government officials, to determine an effective plan. Once those decisions have been made, with clarity about what the process will need to be, we expect to be able to assist families in a meaningful way. 

Until then, we ask that you do the following:

1. Permit us to retain your contact information and update you as we know more.
2. Remain informed by checking websites that are being frequently updated, and that have a wealth of information. One that we highly recommend is the Joint Council on International Children's Services, www.jcics.org. Not only is it being updated regularly, it refers readers to other sources of information. A second source is the Department of State site on Intercountry Adoption, Office of Children's Issues, www.adoption.state.gov.
3. Take some time to reflect and assess your motives for coming forward at this particular time. While your intentions may be very honorable, it is essential that you and your family thoroughly consider the impact of making such a significant, life-time commitment to a child. Toward this end, endeavor to learn as much as possible about adoption as possible and the unique issues associated with international adoptions. Register and attend an IMPACT class.
4. Educate yourself about the short and long effects of trauma and the ways in which it can manifest developmentally and behaviorally.
5. Learn about the Haitian culture and history.

Finally, please understand that the first priority will be to minimize the impact of the trauma by ensuring that children are safe, well cared for, and that their basic needs are met. As has become abundantly clear, this will be a process that will take time, so our patience will need to be abundant. As an agency, Families First appreciates your heartfelt generosity, kindness, and willingness to come forward. Individually and collectively, we can make a difference in the lives of children in Haiti, around the world and in our own communities.