Colombia Program
With over 20 years of experience
uniting children and families through this program, we bring a
wealth of skills and knowledge to assist you in your adoption
process. LSSMN is pleased to partner with private adoption
orphanages and the government-run Central Authority (ICBF) to provide
children in need of forever families with loving adoptive
parents. LSS will help guide you to the orphanage/organization that is the
best match for your family.
Our Colombia program includes
staff members who have adopted from, traveled to and live in
Colombia. Your adoption worker will work in partnership with the
International Adoption Program Coordinator to help guide you
through your adoption paperwork here in the United States and
prepare you for traveling to Colombia to meet your child.
Once in Colombia, our bilingual
in-country representative, Cecilia, will assist you throughout
your process. Cecilia will help orient you to places that are
secure and provide you with trusted drivers.
The Children of Colombia
We are currently accepting applications from families who wish to adopt Colombian children of all ages.
The children in need of adoption from Colombia are generally healthy infants, toddlers, and children up to age 16. Additionally, many older children, sibling groups, and children with special needs are in need of immediate placement. (Waiting Child Program). Children may have been relinquished at birth in the hospital, abandoned, or taken into protection. Most children waiting for their forever families at private orphanages live in small family units which allow them to have a consistent caregiver. Most children under the protection and care of ICBF live in foster care homes, though some children do reside in orphanages. Both boys and girls are in need of loving homes.
Waiting Child Program
The children who wait in Colombia for families may be waiting solely due to their age or because they are part of a large sibling group. Some children wait due to correctable medical issues or issues that may affect the child/ren for their lifetime. The waiting children most in need of families include:
- Single child of any age with mild or correctable medical special needs (i.e. scoliosis, cleft lip/palate, orthopedic issues)
- Single child of any age with moderate or severe special needs (i.e. HIV, Down Syndrome, neurological delays, Cerebral Palsy, Syphilis)
- Single child 7 years old or older
- Sibling groups of 2 or more in which at least one child is more than 8 years of age
- Sibling groups of 3 or more children (all ages)
- Sibling groups in which at least one child has special needs
Adoptive Parent Requirements
- Parents should be
- 25-38 years of age for children 0-35 months
- 39-41 years for children 36-59 months
- 42-44 years for children 60-83 months
- 45-47 years for children 84-107 months
- 48+ years for children 108+months
- Some flexibility is allowed for children with special needs or for sibling groups of 3 or more children
- Couples should be married 1 or more years.
- One previous divorce per applicant is acceptable.
- Prefer families with no more than 1-2 children for families adopting a child under 7 years old; flexibility is allowed for children with special needs, children over 7 years old, and sibling groups of 3 or more children
- Single female and male applicants accepted for children age 7 and older or children with special needs.
- Both parents must travel to Colombia for the first two weeks; one parent must remain in country and care for your child/children while the court prepares for adoption finalization. The entire process is generally completed in 5-8 weeks.
- Colombian-American families are given preference. Please contact Lynne Haggar (612-879-5230) for details on timeframes and costs.
To Learn More
For more information on the Colombia Program, please contact:
Lynne Haggar
612.879.5230 / 1.888.205.3769 ext. 230
Lynne.Haggar@lssmn.org
