The CNA has issued an update which details progress to date. You can read the Spanish here:
http://cna.gob.gt/Noticias.html
Or Click on more for a translation. I am not sure what exactly the last parapgraph means about hogares and foster homes. I am HOPING it is saying that they are working on a system to approve foster families under the new law.
First newsletter
The National Adoption Council of Guatemala reported:
I. New premises: the National Adoption Council, as from Monday 09 July, 2008 ADDRESS at the new location, located in the AV. Reform 6-64 Zone 9, Edificio Torre Corporation, Level 2 and 3. Telephone: 23390825 to 29
II. Verification Properties in transition:
We continue with the verification of cases in transition in the Attorney General's Office. Result at 06 June 2008:
Cases; 2.286
Verified:690
Irregularities made available to judges of the CHILDREN AND A ADOLESCENCE
Where appropriate: 22
Cases advancing: 271
Complaints filed with the PGN; 8
cases with previos at the PGN: 263
# of Days for verification: 21
III. The new system of adoption in Guatemala is on the march.
The CNA made since the early selections of families (matchings) for two adoptable children. These are the first cases that serve as a model for subsequent procedures. We have qualified ten families, among whom it has been determined the adequacy of which were chosen for placement of the first two children. The identification of the ideal family is based on strict criteria, which meet the child's best interest, so their qualification involves interviews, home visits, profound social and psychological studies, to establish that can effectively meet the needs of children in state to adopt. The completion of this work ensures the best adaptation of the child in his new family and the best knowledge and attention to their needs.
IV. Families who have applied for an adoption.
To date we have 107 formal requests for Guatemalan families wishing to adopt, which are in the process of gathering requirements required by law to be evaluated in order to determine their suitability to adopt. The first application was received on March 4.
V. Children under care of the state to adopt.
To date, we received 37 children declared in a state to take from the courts of childhood and adolescence. These children are in the process of evaluation to determine their qualities and needs.
VI. Support for biological family.
The National Council for Adoption is the process of developing guidance to biological mothers who find themselves in the situation of giving their children up for adoption.
VII. PROTECTION Hogares and shelter.
It (the CNA) includes a study conducted by means of which it has been determined households operating throughout the Republic, and children who they are, that in order to carry out the necessary actions to locate these children with adoptive families and to oversee the functioning of the same being accreditation.
The above information will be constantly updated to keep accurate information for all concerned.
Sincerely,
National Adoption Council
Guatemala, 09 June 2008
This information looks identical to what was posted on Monday dated June 6th. Does this mean no new cases were approved as of today? It's been a week since they were to release the original 230 cases - I am not sure that this update indicates any new progress to report???
Posted by: andiesmom at June 13, 2008 07:45 AMThank you for posting that link! According to the chart on the CNA's web page if I translated it correctly, there are 22 cases that have been given over to Family Court judges. We have been in FC #6 for 1 year now (after 1.5 years going the notrial route) and as misearable as it is for all of us to still be in process, I am comforted knowing that there are supposedly 21 other cases "out of the PGN loop." I wish I could connect with some/any of you!
Posted by: Lisen at June 13, 2008 07:50 AMKevin,
"households" are "hogares" and "foster homes", right?
Posted by: Mariale at June 13, 2008 08:29 AMIt states that cases are released 21 days after approval or the 2nd birhtmom interview. Is that how others read that and is that actually hapening? What about those with previos? They state that 263 have previos, but no mention of how those are or will be processed. It has been 15 days since my bm interview and they will not release the file for my attorney to fix the previo ...though no irregularities were found.
Julie W.
Posted by: Julie W. at June 13, 2008 09:53 AMVerified:690
cases with previos at the PGN: 263
Irregularities = 22
Cases advancing: 271
271+22+263 = 556 not 690. Is my logic correct? What about the other 134?
Also - can you clarify what this means exactly:
# of Days for verification: 21
Posted by: Jim at June 13, 2008 01:09 PMKevin,
From what I am reading, it sounds like there are about 100 families that are Guatemalan requesting adoptions under the new system. They also stated there are 2 adoptions underway as "model" adoptions. They did mention they want to work with Hogares to help facilitate adoptions. From the website I read in spanish it did show that the CNA does plan on continuing adoptions. I did notice one new requirement they will ask of PAP's is psych. evaluations. ( nothing new in ICA, as many countries require this).
I did feel that they were clearly stating that adoptions were going to proceed and that they were using these 2 "model" cases as a way to see if the new system will work properly to process the adoptions.
It all appears good - let's hope and pray that Guatemala continues to proceed and transition, with the interest of children at heart.
I did not hear on "how" the CNA expects the children to be cared for during the process. That is one of my concerns. Will hogares be licensed by the CNA -- and if so, some kind of payment for the child's care needs to be made. ( donation are made in china vietnam, etc for orphanages) I was unclear about "where" the children are going to be cared for during the process - but the CNA did mention that they were willing to work with Hogares and foster families. Just wondering how that will work out and how they will regulate that care.
Sincere Regards,
Gloria Pickering
mom to 5 Guatemalan blessings
Hi Kevin,
Can you shed any light onto how you think the adoptions in Guatemala will work under the new rules? I have been unable to get any insight on this.
thanks!
Carol
oh my goodness, I learned today we got thru PGN. The decree came last night. They spelled our city name wrong on the decree, but my agency says it shouldn't be a problem. I was told we can expect 6-7 weeks for the birth certificates,then another 2-3 weeks after that before we could return for our little boy. I don't want to jinx myself by writing about this good fortune, but I've been struggling so much and I hope other families are also getting good news .
Posted by: waiting at June 13, 2008 04:21 PMThank you Guatadopt, for those of us living on 'tenderhooks' any info beats no info
Posted by: Dani at June 13, 2008 05:21 PMTo "waiting:" Congratulations on your PGN out! Can you tell me why your agency thinks it will be six or seven weeks for the birth certificate? Is that through RENAP, or where is your child from? I thought most BCs are issued more quickly than that, but perhaps not anymore.....
Thank you.
Julie W.
We recently got out of PGN on 6-5. We had our birthmother interview on 5-14. 22 days from bm interview to out. Hope you all get good news soon.
Janet
Posted by: Janet at June 13, 2008 06:25 PMI had a Spanish speaking friend call PGN for me today and they told him that we were released from PGN and the we did not have a previo!!! My agency has been unable to contact my facilitator to verify, but we are saying our prayers and keeping our fingers crossed!!
Posted by: Kat at June 13, 2008 07:31 PMIt appears to me from the Spanish site that they are talking about the new system and how it will work much more than what is going on with our 2200+ cases; however, I do think it says that we wait 21 days from BMI to exit of PGN.
Also--it appears they will be requiring foster homes and/or orphanages to be accredited through CNA, along with extensive psychological testing of prospective adoptive parents. I'm guessing that is exclusive to those who are not Guatemalan?
Based on how I read the Spanish version, that's my take, for what it's worth.
JB
Posted by: jb at June 13, 2008 11:28 PMKat:
Congratulations! And that means you can use your plane tickets?!
Kim
Posted by: Kim at June 14, 2008 12:05 AMJust in case this helps anyone...
We got OUT on 6/10 and had our birthmom re-interview on 5/9. There have been 3 other OUTS from our little girl's orphanage just this week... all had birthmom interviews close to ours.
Please continue to pray for those of that are caught in the transition of old Guatemalan law and new Guatemalan law. This posting on CNA website concerns many of us who have children that are undergoing abandonment processes and do not have our COA's issued. The CNA still does not have anything in writing guaranteeing us the link to these children that in some cases have been matched with PAP's for years. The CNA could put our children up for domestic adoption in Gautemala even though we have invested much in the way of emotions and finances. The US govt. still has not announced a clear cut path for our cases to process under the new law. It is a scarey place to be in.
My Birth mother interview to OUT was 20 days.
Posted by: JR at June 14, 2008 03:27 PMMary, When I started the adoption process in 2002 I was very naive, knew nothing, and I thought I would be adopting an abandoned child, and then I realised that in Guatemala the relinquishment/lawyer process was much easier and that most adopters choose this route.
I have so much admiration for those of you who have chosen to adopt abandoned children with all the uncertainty, Family Court appearances for maybe years, and now, as you say, these children who have committed families could be put up for for domestic adoption. It appears though that a very small number of Guatemalan families are coming forward to adopt - certainly not enough to adopt the 5000 children a year who have been adopted through ICA. I hope that commonsense will prevail and that these abandoned children will be able to join the families who love them and are committed to them.
I will be praying for you,and I am sure many other families will be praying for you too.
Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl at June 14, 2008 06:46 PMI was in PGN from Dec 22 till March 17th. I have now been WAITING 3 months and still no new BC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My daughter was born in Moyuta. Does any one have ANY info that may help me? I am so tired of waiting on the wait that never seems to end.
Posted by: Kellie at June 15, 2008 12:15 AMI hope this means the process will speed up now from the remaining 2000 or so cases.
Gloria,
Please PM me.
bhentges@qwest.net
Beth in MN
Posted by: Beth in MN at June 15, 2008 12:39 AMI am so thrilled for those who have recently escaped the clutches of the PGN with a no previo out. We were released last week, three weeks after our BM interview, with a previo which was addressed and put back in the same day. I have asked everywhere I can think of "What now?" Does ANYONE know what the process is for the files that recieve a previo and go back to PGN? If anyone has solid information I would so grateful to know. After being in PGN for 6 1/2 months I am ready for some good news.
Jane (Ready to bring Nathan home.)
We got OUT of PGN on 06/11...exactly two weeks after the BMI took place and, thankfully, without previos. I was told 4-8 weeks for the rest of the process. Things sure seem to be moving now in PGN. Please continue to have hope.
Posted by: LJ at June 15, 2008 06:58 PMHas anyone heard about PGN now requesting psychological profiles for single adopting PAP's (a new type of previo)? I've heard this has been randomly asked for in the past but may now be required. I could care less in theory, but this sounds like it could slow down the process significantly. Any feedback would be appreciated. Hang in there, everyone!
Posted by: Dana at June 16, 2008 12:18 AMI'm single and had a previo requesting a psych evaluation in February right after the registration period. My agency was a little confused by this. They've never been asked for it before in Guatemala and there was nothing in my documents to initiate such a request.
And yes, I did lose about a month. Just enough time to get caught up in the new process.
Posted by: anon at June 16, 2008 11:18 AMThis is a message to Jane. I was wondering.. you stated your previo was addressed and resubmitted same day. What type of previo would this be for? I think we might have a similar type of previo since they are not releasing the file but asking the lawyer to go to PGN to inquire about it. I guess it would be nice for some of the PAPs to know that some previos can be addressed the same day and also be resubmitted. Any more info you could provide I would appreciate it. I am hoping to find more news today on our previo.
Karen
Congrats to all out of PGN!
A few of you mentioned calling PGN - what number did you use? The one I have is not working.
Many thanks, Kate
Posted by: Kate at June 16, 2008 01:36 PMThis message is to Karen. Our previo was when the file was "released" three weeks after our birthmother interview. They wanted an updated pedatrician report. Our lawyer took our son the doctor that day, got the report and resubmitted the file, that same day. However, I still have no idea what happens next. What PGN's process is now. I am so frustrated that I can seem to get this information. Good luck with your file. Hope this helps. Jane
Posted by: Jane at June 16, 2008 02:46 PMI cant believe I'm writing this, but...I'm out. I was in PGN since Christmas 2007 with 4 previos. My birthmother interview was exactly 3 weeks ago.
I have another child - older / abandonment case that just had her interview on Friday so I'm praying that will only take a few weeks as well but who knows.
Our BM cannot be found for the interview. What happens now? Is anyone else having this problem?
We have waited so long....feels like we are in a losing battle here. How long does abandonment take if the BM doesn't show?
Hi Rene,
Our birthmother was very accessible until she got the call in mid-May that she was to go for an interview. She has since disappeared and our agency's attorney says they are trying to track her down, but they haven't done anything yet. They suggest doing things such as going to where they think she is, checking with her parents or advertising in the newspaper. They have not done any of these things because they don't want to endanger the birthmother. They keep telling us that we have to "Hope she comes back soon". We found out from calling PGN that we have final approval, no previos and are awaiting final signature. Obviously we are not happy about just waiting and would like to find the BM soon so we can get out of PGN.
rene- were you told that you had to start the abandonment process if you birthmom doesn't show for the interview? That is a process many of us have been through and its not short or easy many times. I am Praying that PGN would have more sense than to make you do that.
Has anyone heard what they are doing with cases that birthmothers are "no shows"?
Posted by: waitingfor2 at June 17, 2008 05:52 AMKate -
PGN's phone # 011-502-2414-8787 when the "system" answers type 2037. sometimes this person speaks English.
ext 4005 has much for updated info (or did in my case) and speaks Spanish - a lovely woman who really tries to help
Posted by: waitingfor2 at June 17, 2008 08:10 AMOur attorney has sent someone twice to look for her. They think she is hiding. She went to Guat. to have the baby and went back to her village 6 hours away after. They are not sure if she told her family or not. She is 21 and this was her fourth child. She has given two up for adoption. I am not sure where the other two are but I don't think she has them either. The attorney has not said go the abandonment route yet....we did have 2 dna matches and the social worker interview where she said she could not keep baby before she disappeared. Has anyone else had this happen?
My heart is breaking that she is not home yet. Anyone got any ideas? I am not giving up on her.
Jane (waiting for Nathan)
any previos u start back at the beginning so its like u have just been submitted to PGN even though with our one previo it was completed in a week in Dec '07
Home with Zachary & Nicolas Jan '08
This message is to Jane: Thanks Jane for the feedback. It really helps to know what other PAPs are going through. My BMI was done on May 26th. It seems as though other cases within my agency have since been released after their BMI. However my continues to be held. It is very frustrating. I also have been told I have a previo so I am hoping it will be as easy to correct as yours but who knows???!!! Karen
Posted by: Karen at June 17, 2008 02:01 PMI cannot be sure how every case will be handled, but I can tell you that when our BMI was scheduled ,we were not given enough notice to get her in. PGN rescheduled, and when our agency went to her house to tell her when it was, she was not home. We found out she had died a few days before! PGN closed our case and said the child would have to go through the abandonment process.
With great saddness I write this.
I have heard that the birthmom interview takes place independently of the approval. So, you may be coming out with a previo that was assigned prior to the BMI. That is a reason you see so many BMIs and then a previo. It may be that the previo was already there.
Posted by: CM at June 17, 2008 09:33 PMTwinkie - I am so sorry for your and your child's loss. My prayers are with you.
Posted by: waitingfor2 at June 18, 2008 02:02 PMWaiting for 2
Thank you so much for posting the number to the PGN. I had a different number & when I tried calling it to get info regarding my case someone kept hanging up on me & all I got was a $200 phonebill. I did call the number you gave and did get through to someone & she was able to tell me my case was with the 2nd reviewer and that it would probably be another two weeks. This is the most news I have received in regards to my case in the four months that it has been in PGN. My BM interview has already taken place the second week of May. Praying that I get some great news soon! Thank you again for the number it was a great help relieving some anxiety.
Dear waitingfor2
I had a Thank you Jesus moment today. I asked our agency to call the attorney and see where we were with trying to find our BM. Well our attorney sent two different people looking and found her and even as we spoke took her to PGN and did our BM interview! I know we are not out of the PGN woods yet...but I feel like one BIG hurdle has been jumped. Thanks to all for all the prayers!
Rene' adopting Gracie