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Post by chinababe on Jun 26, 2008 18:13:16 GMT 10
We (as in me and DH) went to a culturally and linguistic diverse session this is an offshoot to the local adoption program. Parents on the ICA listing can also be included on this.
I found some of it a little odd!
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Post by flossyinoz on Jun 27, 2008 10:32:05 GMT 10
China, I read you comment on EB about it. So what was so odd and offputting about it? I must say I had never heard the word CALD before. So I assume it is when a child is given up for local adoption and for whatever reason they cannot find a match with a local adoption register family appropriate for religion or racial background then people who have applied for international adoption can be considered as international adoption already implies a transracial and potentially transreligious placement. Am I right here? ? Cheers Flossyinoz
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Post by sallyg on Jun 27, 2008 11:34:53 GMT 10
What's this all about?
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Post by chinababe on Jul 4, 2008 19:00:35 GMT 10
Only those that actually include it in their application will actually be placed on a CALD listing. I think they preferred those couples that had also taken into consideration the complexity of local relinquishment and the different challenges it provides.
Though the way they where talking they made us sound like the last few people to be going through this.
The main thing that got me was it only refers to placement of children under 12mths, which is really ironic for us ICA potential parents because I doubt that any one of us would get a child younger than 12mths to 2 years with our ICA process.
I was really surprised when they said any local adoption over the age of 12mths would be classified as a special needs adoption. They simply decide because the child is over 12mths they are therefore SN. Does anyone know more about this?
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Post by goggly on Jul 5, 2008 20:40:02 GMT 10
Special needs tag is such a mine field with local adoption. The thinking behind the 12 months is that at about eight months old foster kids will develop an attachment to their current carer and it will be very truamatic to have that bond severed, hence the special needs - more changeover time required, unknown attachment issues etc. Of course, thats assuming that the foster placement has been stable, there are no other factors etc etc etc. Its how long is a piece of string really.
It theory it makes sense and I can see the point of it, but I honestly can't see how it works in practice. My DD foster carer had been looking after babies for about 35 years and basically her belief is that if they form one attachment with her, then they will be able to form another attachment with you. I tend to like that line of thinking and it has certainly been true for us.
My child was seven months at placement and we had to have a special meeting with three senior social workers to discuss the issues around her advancing age - she was considered "old"! It was laughable.
Did they talk whether there was a need for CALD? I am wondering about your "last few people" comment.
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Post by sallyg on Jul 7, 2008 11:23:06 GMT 10
It's an interesting discussion.
Chinababe - that is crazy that they'll only consider under 12 months for ICA applicants - I wonder where that thinking comes from given you're approved for children who are likely to be older and come from orphanages with additional trauma... very confusing... Are you on the CALD list? Or considering it?
One thing I find curious is that people successfully applying for ICA can come from all over the place: country, city, suburbs - wherever. However we've been warned by our LA assessment that if you're not in an area that is very racially mixed you won't be considered for a LA child of different race. I know of someone who was knocked back as they considered Ballarat too white! Yet I've seen on boards others further afield than Ballarat who are waiting for their child from o/s... a bit hypocritical. I understand that it is usually better for a child that is clearly from another culture to be raised in an area where they don't feel alienated or too different, but the systems are not being consistent.
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Post by chinababe on Jul 7, 2008 19:29:53 GMT 10
This is precisely what I was thinking!!!! I mean come on the ICA kids are more likely to be 15mths and above!!! We are currently on the CALD listing - this info session was to remain on it. However we are really unsure about what we want to do.
I think a lot of this is about how you present yourself to the SW you really have to show off your best assets so to speak. You just have to make your area 'appear culturally diverse'. I also think some of this has to do with the fact that ICA parents also talk about accessing country and mixed cultural support groups - which I am sure they would be open to CALD families. So perhaps this is a useful way around it!
As a side note to this and most likely said before Mornington is the most anglo-saxon based community in victoria, well so says bureau of stats. My Aunty teaches school out there and says there isn't a lot of cultural mixes.
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Post by sallyg on Jul 8, 2008 10:37:51 GMT 10
Hi Chinababe, well that's great you're on the list. I suppose it doesn't hurt to be on it, even if you're unsure right now. Do you know if many ICA applicants end up with their babes this way? I bet there aren't too many... there are so few little ones in that age group anyway, let alone to fall into the category of where you plan to adopt from, and have no suitable applicants here. I would think PC would be a more likely scenario, and one where ICA applicants might have better skills, connections, awareness and cultural knowledge to support these kids.
Re: your comment about accessing ICA support groups - you won't believe this, but when we did the PC educations sessions they spoke briefly about inter-racial placements. I suggested accessing ICA support groups as these seem to be very active and organised. And the social worker said that she knew of a family who were allocated a child of Chinese decent through PC and the ICA support group wouldn't let her join! The SW even tried to get her access, but it was denied. Bit of a shocker... I don't know when that was, but the SW basically said you could try, but don't bank on it for support! Crazy stuff...
S
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