Adopting a child from Armenia is a beautiful and life-changing experience, but it marks the beginning of a long journey with its own unique challenges. While the adoption process facilitates the initial placement, ongoing family services are significant for guaranteeing the well-being of the adoptive child and the entire adoptive family. Comprehensive adoption services extend far beyond that first step, offering continued support and resources, when requested or recommended, to ensure the success of the adoptive family unit.

For many adoptive families, an important part of this journey is respecting and honoring the difficult decision made by the birth parent to place their child for adoption. Post-adoption resources and services, such as emotional and mental health support, cultural connection and heritage preservation, and educational and developmental assistance, play a vital role. These elements help families navigate the complexities of adoption while building strong, loving relationships with their children.

Emotional and Mental Health Support

Post-Adoption Service Adoptive families and children deal with a variety of emotional and mental health difficulties, such as trauma, identity issues, and attachment disorders. Hopscotch stands read to assist families to seek the services of an Adoption Competent Therapist, who can offer support and counseling, unique to adoption, at any point during the adoption process.

Adoptive families can access specialized counseling and therapy services designed to aid in managing the complex emotions and challenges they may face. An Adoption Competent Therapist specializes in adoption and can provide tools and strategies for building strong, healthy relationships within the family. They can also help adoptive parents understand and respond to their child’s unique needs, particularly if the child has experienced trauma or has attachment issues.

For adoptive parents, connecting with others who have been on a similar journey can provide an invaluable source of support and shared understanding. In person and virtual adoptive parent support groups offer a safe space to share experiences, seek advice, and find a sense of community with families facing comparable challenges. Specifically, for those who have adopted from Armenia, bonding with other adoptive families from with children from the same culture can foster emotional support and opportunities to learn from those navigating comparable experiences.

Cultural Connection and Heritage

Deepening an adoptive family’s connection to their child’s heritage often involves learning about the country of origin’s cultural traditions and ethnic background. For families who have adopted from Armenia, engaging with Armenian cultural events, resources, and organizations can be tremendously beneficial. Immersing themselves in authentic experiences, from festivals and performances to language classes and even Heritage tours, allows adoptive families to gain a richer understanding of their child’s roots. This culturally conscious approach strengthens the entire family’s appreciation for the child’s origin and fosters a profound sense of belonging.

Post-Adoption Service Many cities with significant Armenian populations host cultural events throughout the year, such as festivals, dance performances, and traditional holiday celebrations. These events provide opportunities for adoptive families to immerse themselves in Armenian culture, learn about customs and traditions, and connect with the local Armenian community.

Language classes and resources are also valuable for families who wish to incorporate Armenian language into their daily lives. Learning even a few words and phrases can help adoptive children feel a stronger connection to their heritage. Many Armenian cultural organizations offer language classes for both children and adults, and there are also online resources available.

Connecting with other families who have adopted from Armenia can provide a sense of shared experience and cultural understanding. Adoption agencies, online forums, and local adoptive family groups can help facilitate these connections, allowing families to build supportive relationships and navigate the unique joys and challenges of adopting from Armenia together.

Educational and Developmental Support

Adoptive children may face educational and developmental challenges, particularly if they have experienced long term institutionalization, deprivation, neglect, trauma or have special needs. It’s important for families to have access to resources and services that can help address these challenges and support the child’s growth and development. During the home study phase of the adoption journey, the prospective adoptive parents are required to seek out local services and to create a resource guide specific to their locale.  Creating this guide allows parents to seek out specialized services quickly.

Early intervention services, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral support, can be crucial for addressing developmental delays and promoting healthy growth. Some states, though not all, offer adoption assistance programs which may provide financial support for these services.  Adoption agencies can also help families connect with the appropriate resources.

Adoptive parents may also need to advocate for their child’s needs within the school system. This may involve working with teachers and administrators to develop an individualized education plan (IEP) or 504 plan that outlines the specific accommodations and support the child needs to succeed academically. Tutoring and academic support services can also be helpful for children who are struggling in school.

Hopscotch Adoptions Understands

Being an adoptive parent is a rewarding yet challenging journey. For adoptive families to succeed, especially those who have adopted from Armenia, post-adoption support is critically important.  Families can successfully manage the specific challenges of adoption and create enduring, loving relationships with their children by exploring educational and developmental opportunities, keeping cultural ties, and getting emotional and mental health help.

If you have adopted a child from Armenia, know that you are in great company of many other families just like yours. There is a wealth of resources and support available to help you and your family thrive and retain your child’s cultural and heritage. An international adoption can be a tricky process, so don’t hesitate to seek assistance, connect with adoptive families, and utilize adoption services and resources to guide you through the complexities of the adoption process.