Welcome to A Gift of Hope Adoptions!
We are so happy you chose to visit our web site. A Gift of Hope Adoptions is a licensed Missouri adoption agency based in Columbia, Missouri. We service the entire state of Missouri, and can also assist those not located in Missouri.
We understand what a confusing and difficult process adoption can be. Our adoption counselors are here to help you navigate the systems in the process of your adoption, and be there for you during both the happy and difficult times. If you are an adoptive family looking to start the adoption process we would be happy to introduce you to our agency and help you along the way.
If you are pregnant and unsure of what your options are please feel free to give us a call. We will explain them to you without pressuring you to choose, and help you when you do make your decision.
Please look around the site, and if you have any questions let us know. There is a contact form as well as contact information below if you prefer not to submit your requests over the web. Good luck with your journey.
This site, the contents of this site, and any links on this site are intended for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice or contract of services. One should not rely solely upon information given through this web site, or links on this web site. Communication with our office via the feedback page or via the contact information provided does not create a client relationship. The inclusion of information or links does not constitute an endorsement or sponsorship.
But What About the Haitian Orphans?
By Elizabeth Ehlen, 1/21/10
Every time there is a natural disaster adoption agencies get lots of calls from prospective adoptive parents wanting to know how they can adopt an orphan from the tragedy. Most recently it has been the earthquake in Haiti that has been the source of numerous emails and phone calls to our office. While on the surface it seems like an obvious situation – natural disaster = orphaned children= children available for adoption – however it is not nearly as simple as it seems. In the case of Haiti, there were existing programs for adoption of Haitian orphans prior to the earthquake, and the wait time was about 18 months to 2 years. The earthquake has only complicated that process, as the government buildings that were housing and processing the documents required to get the children ready for transport to their adoptive families out of the country were leveled, so now they have to find copies in the US as proof that the adoptions were on track. All of the news reports about children from Haiti being transported to the US give the false impression that there are loads of orphans on their way over just waiting for their forever homes. In reality, most of these orphans were already in the adoption process and had families identified, or are here for medical care only and just need sponsors or foster homes until they recover and can go home. They are trying to move the orphans who were already in the process of being adopted out of the orphanages to make room for the children who were orphaned by the quake, but that does not necessarily mean it will be a quick and easy process. While I’m sure that agencies that already had Haiti programs will do their best to streamline the process, to some extent, as with every international adoption process, you are at the mercy of the country sending the children. Obviously when a natural disaster hits most processes, government or otherwise, grind to halt while survivors are sought and the attempt is made to reunite families before declaring children orphans. Our thoughts are with the families who were already in the waiting process for their child from Haiti, and who have been waiting for news that their child is safe. If you are interested in finding out more about adopting from Haiti, seek out an agency who already has an established Haiti program and learn about the requirements and the challenges of parenting a child who has been through the trauma of a natural disaster.
Topics: In the News | International Adoption | Matching | Adoptive Families | Adoption Procedures
Happy New Year!
By Elizabeth Ehlen, 1/3/10
Happy New Year from your friendly staff at A Gift of Hope Adoptions! I'm putting a link below to the IRS website that gives you information about the adoption tax credit for you fortunate families who completed an adoption last year. I cannot stress enough that you need to check with your accountant to look up additional possible helpful financial information about adoption expenses. Many states have additional tax credits for children who qualify as "special needs" according to the federal Title IV-E definition, and there may be additional help provided by your state that only a local accountant would be aware of or could find out about. You also may be able to claim expenses from an adoption failure, so ask about that as well.
Also, I realize many of you are disappointed that you had an adoption failure last year, or that you were not chosen by birth parents to adopt their child. Hopefully 2010 will be your year, however keep in mind that you cannot "resolve" to adopt a child in any given year. Just like giving birth biologically, adoption is a process and involves a measure of risk and embracing of the unknown. In fact, parenting in general involves risk, expense, and the unknown. No one can predict what direction your journey will take, but we will join you in hoping for your eventual success and will work with you as best we can towards that success. Remember, we want to place children in good homes, but most of the time it is the birth moms who choose, not us. So while we understand your frustration, try not to take it out on your social worker, lawyer and agency staff, okay?
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html
Topics: Failure | Finances | Adoptive Families | Staff | Adoption Procedures | State Requirements
Happy Adoption Month!
By Elizabeth Ehlen, 11/9/09
I want to give a sincere congratulations to all of our adoptive families this month, and encouragement to those who are waiting. I know it is tough to wait, and it feels like it will never happen. I assure you that eventually you will be found by the right birth family and that if you are one of our clients we won't give up looking if you won't 
I so enjoyed seeing all of our families at the picnic last month, and Coresa has posted some adorable pictures on our Facebook Group if you're interested in seeing them. Also, I encourage you to visit the sponsors who put coupons and gifts in our goody bag - I'm posting a link to them below so that you can continue to patronize their services.
This month I wanted to give a shout out to the folks at Parenthood.com for acknowledging this month and adoptive parenting. I subscribe to their Practical Parenting email myself as I also have two little ones, and was thrilled to see the email on 11/05 about National Adoption Month and the articles about talking to your kids about adoption, what to say about weird or insensitive adoption questions, and what all families need to know. I so appreciate the acknowledgment and celebration of adoption for what it is, and that all parents need support no matter what kind of family you have. I'm putting links to the articles below, as well as links to our sponsors for the Reunion Goody Bags. Thanks again!
Parenthood.com: How to Talk to Your Kids About Adoption
What All Families Need to Know About Adoptive Families
What To Say, What Not To Say: Tips for Non-Adoptive Parents
Links to our Goody Bag Sponsors - go buy holiday presents!
Infertility and Adoption Support, Inc.
And That's A Great Thing by Nancy Ketchel
Topics: Events | In the News | Beginning the Process | Adoptive Families
Recruiting Families
By Elizabeth Ehlen, 10/9/09
While A Gift of Hope Adoptions does not typically list situations online in order to protect the privacy of our clients, on occasion we do ask for permission to do so. Typically these cases are for children we are recruiting families for specifically, rather than a general type of child. Below you will find one of these situations. If you are interested in being considered on this situation or have questions, please contact the office at 573-356-0025 or info@agiftofhopeadoptions.com. Please note that in order to maintain our client’s confidentiality, there may be certain things we cannot tell you unless the family gives us specific permission.
Gabrielle and Jaymie are twelve and ten years old respectively. They are both in very good health although Gabrielle has asthma that’s well under control. She has never had an overt attack. Gabrielle (Elle) is artistic and an avid reader. Jaymie is behind in school. His I.Q. has tested low with the exception of his perceptive reasoning which tested low normal. He is an excellent athlete - good in baseball and football. He is also a phenomenal and accomplished technical rock climber. Both have ADHD and take a mood stabilizer, although the dosage is being gradually reduced.
Both children were abused and neglected as very young children. However, they have resided with their grandparents for the past five years, and have made considerable gains, to the point where they function at what most would consider a normal level. While it is important to recognize that they will need continuing counseling for both the adoption transition and to deal with the scars from their past, this is a sibling pair who has adjusted remarkably well.
A Gift of Hope Adoptions would like to provide these children and their grandparents with multiple profiles for consideration, just as we would with any other birth parent. If you would like to be considered, please contact us right away.
