International Adoption
Although our focus is primarily on domestic adoption services, we also provide home studies and prepare adoptive couples for the international adoption process.  Because international adoptions are not our primary focus, we always work with another adoption agency in our international adoption work.

The Nebraska Children’s Home works to help adoptive families to provide the best possible home for the child in all adoptions – both domestic and international.

What we do for International Adoptions
Nebraska Children’s Home Society understands that you may have many questions regarding international adoption and that is why we ask you to attend our International Information Sharing Meeting (IISM) before you begin your journey.  This meeting will help prepare you in selecting an international adoption agency and help you think about the issues involved with international adoptions such as issues of bonding and attachment, helping the child deal with grief and loss, and understanding the effects of institutionalization.  In addition, the ISSM will allow you to meet other adoptive couples who have already adopted internationally. 

Although you will work with an international agency, Nebraska Children’s Home provides home studies and post placement reports for adoptive couples.  In addition, throughout your adoption journey, NCHS provides transcultural and transracial educational workshops for transcultural families.

Challenges of International Adoption
As with domestic adoptions, the needs of the child are of utmost importance to the Nebraska Children’s Home Society.  Some challenges of internationally adopted children are similar to the challenges of a child who is adopted domestically, such as issues of bonding and attachment, helping the child deal with grief and loss, and understanding the effects of institutionalization. 

As a part of your preparation for international adoption we want you to understand what it means to adopt a child internationally and what you are responsible for as an adoptive parent.

• Becoming a transcultural family
  When you adopt transculturally, you become a transcultural family.  It is important you realize what being a transcultural family means for you and your family and community.  We encourage you to learn as much as possible on transcultural issues.  Please attend one our transracial educational workshops to learn more.

• Maintaining your child’s culture and history
  Your child may be seen as different or unique because of their culture.  However, these cultural differences should be celebrated.  It is important for you to preserve your child’s cultural history and heritage.  Most international agencies will require you to travel to the country to receive the child, which will provide you the opportunity to better understand the country and culture.

Starting the International Adoption Process
If you are interested in adopting internationally, please contact Kim S. through email at 2Adopt@nchs.org or call us at (402) 451-0787 for adoption information.

When you email us, please include the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Date of Marriage
• If you have children…how many?
• Specify all that you are interested in: International Adoption, Adopting a second child, Domestic Infant Adoption, FosAdopt, Other