Over two hundred children joined U.S. families last year from Bulgaria! It’s an increase in placements from 2015 when about 180 children joined forever families from Bulgaria. This increased number of placements demonstrates that Bulgaria is thriving adoption program! As the number of international adoptions is on the decline, more children each year from Bulgaria are being matched with American families!
So far in 2017, 11 children have come home to MLJ Adoptions’ families from Bulgaria! With three more months in the year, we are excited to see this number continue to rise.
Also in 2017, 14 children have been referred to MLJ Adoptions’ families from Bulgaria!
- Female Child, 1.5 years – 19 month wait (This family was open to more significant needs)
- Female Child, 1.5 years – 24 month wait
- Female Child, 2.5 years – 39 month wait
- Female Child, 1.5 years – 24 month wait
- Male Child, 1.5 years – 28 month wait
- Female Child, 1.5 years – 6 month wait (This family was open to more significant needs)
- Biological Siblings, male age 6, male age 4, female age 3 – 12 month wait
- Biological Siblings, male age 7, female age 5, male age 3 – 8 month wait
- Sibling group, Male 10 years old and male 8 years old – 1 month wait (Waiting Children)
We had one of our fastest referral times for a single child (6 months) and our longest waiting family (39 months) both matched with children this year.
Families who received referrals so far this year waited an average of 20 months. The median time that families waited for referrals was 21.5 months. (These numbers exclude the family matched through the Waiting Child Program.)
While wait times are all over the place, we do still estimate that families will wait between 12 and 24 months from dossier submission to receiving a referral. Wait times are dependent on the other families waiting to be matched with children, the characteristics the family is open to and the children in need of families at any given time.
If you’re interested in learning more about adopting from Bulgaria, contact us.
Caitlin Snyder
Caitlin Snyder works as the Director of Marketing and Outreach for MLJ Adoptions. Working in international adoption has given Caitlin the unique opportunity to pursue both a passion to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and a profession at the same time.
Caitlin Snyder
Caitlin Snyder works as the Director of Marketing and Outreach for MLJ Adoptions. Working in international adoption has given Caitlin the unique opportunity to pursue both a passion to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and a profession at the same time.