Adoption Programs

Belize Adoption

One of CCAI's newest adoption programs

Belize is the least-populated nation in Central America, yet hundreds of children live in orphanages or “homes,” with thousands more vulnerable children living outside these facilities.  CCAI is compelled to find loving families for some of Belize’s most vulnerable children through our Belize adoption program. 

Complete a Medical Conditions Checklist together with your application to help CCAI know more about your adoption expectations!

FAQs

Love without Boundaries has a comprehensive, informative, and educational guide for families considering adopting a child with medical/functional needs.

Adopting a Child with 
Functional Needs

The National Organization for Rare Diseases can also be a wonderful resource!

In general, families adopting from Belize will already be aware of a particular child or sibling group they wish to adopt, such as through a kinship (relative) adoption, or by having already met a child/children during travels to Belize, such as on a mission trip. 

Resources

Home Study Agencies

Families adopting from Belize must work with a non-profit and accredited home study agency to complete their home study report. If you are living in CO, FL, GA, TX, or WY, CCAI will be your home study provider. For all other states, please visit the link below to find a home study provider in your area.

Parent Training

CCAI requires 12+ hours of training time which meets the requirements of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

 

 

C.D.C Belize

Information from the Centers for Disease Control for those traveling to Belize.

W.H.O. Belize

Information on known health risks via the World Health Organization’s Country Profile for Belize.

Ready to take the next step?

CCAI's Belize Adoption Program: Bringing Hope to Vulnerable Children

Belize, the least-populated nation in Central America, is a beautiful and diverse country with a rich cultural tapestry. The majority of Belizeans are of mixed Indigenous (mostly Maya) and European descent, with a significant portion being of Creole/Kriol descent. Despite the nation’s vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, many children in Belize face challenging circumstances, living in orphanages or “homes,” and even more vulnerable children reside outside these facilities. In response to this pressing need, CCAI has launched a new Belize adoption program, dedicated to finding loving families for some of Belize’s most vulnerable children.

Why Belize?

Belize's children available for intercountry adoption often come from complex backgrounds. Many have experienced poverty, abuse, neglect, or other forms of trauma. These children, ranging from 5 to 18 years old, need the stability and support that a loving family can provide. Younger children in Belize may have more complex medical conditions, such as neurological issues, epilepsy, developmental delays, hydrocephalus, ADD/ADHD, or Down syndrome. In contrast, older children might be physically healthy but require significant emotional and mental support due to their challenging histories.

CCAI is compelled to address these needs through our Belize adoption program. We believe that every child deserves a safe, loving home, and we are committed to connecting prospective adoptive parents with these deserving children.

The Adoption Process

Adopting a child from Belize involves several important steps, designed to ensure the best possible match between the child and the adoptive family. Here’s an overview of the process:

  • Application and Medical Conditions Checklist: Prospective adoptive parents begin by completing an application and a Medical Conditions Checklist. This checklist helps CCAI understand the family's adoption expectations and preferences, ensuring a suitable match.
  • Eligibility Requirements: Adoptive parents must meet certain criteria. At least one applicant must be a minimum of 25 years old and at least 12 years older than the adoptive child. There is no maximum age limit for adopting from Belize. Both legally married couples and single individuals (including single men if adopting a boy) are eligible to adopt. Expats are also accepted in the program.
  • Income and Health Requirements: Applicants must meet the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) income requirements specified in Form I-864P for 125% of the current Poverty Guideline. Additionally, prospective parents must be in good physical and mental health and have no history of domestic violence, sexual offenses, or child abuse.
  • Financial Transparency: CCAI is dedicated to making adoption accessible and affordable for every family. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality service with the lowest fees, ensuring that more children find loving, permanent homes. Our transparent fee structure is designed to eliminate hidden costs and last-minute surprises, reflecting our commitment to financial integrity and accountability. Explore our detailed fee lists, tailored to your state, to understand the necessary expenses for completing your adoption. Trust CCAI to support you every step of the way, with honesty and dedication to your family's journey.
  • In-Country Travel: One trip to Belize is required, lasting 12-14 days. During this trip, adoptive parents will meet their child, receive a provisional adoption order, and obtain a passport and adoption visa for the child to enter the U.S.
  • Parent Training: Successful completion of at least 12 parent training hours, which meets the requirements of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption and CCAI, is mandatory. All parent training is covered in CCAI fees.

The Importance of Belize Adoption

Belize adoption is not just about providing a home for a child; it is about offering a new beginning, hope, and a brighter future. CCAI's Belize adoption program is designed to support families throughout the entire process, ensuring that both the children and their adoptive families receive the care and assistance they need.

The children in Belize orphanages and those living in vulnerable conditions deserve the chance to thrive in a loving and supportive environment. By participating in our international adoption Belize program, you are making a profound difference in a child's life. You are offering stability, love, and the opportunity for a brighter future.

Joining the CCAI Family

Becoming a part of the CCAI family means joining a community dedicated to the well-being of children worldwide. Our team is committed to guiding you through every step of the adoption process, from the initial application to post-adoption support. We believe in the power of family and the incredible impact it can have on a child's life.

If you are considering adopting, we encourage you to explore our Belize adoption program. By doing so, you will be opening your heart and home to a child in need, providing them with the love and support they deserve. Together, we can make a difference, one child at a time.

Belize adoption offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on a child's life. CCAI's Belize adoption program is designed to connect vulnerable children with loving families, providing them with the stability and support they need to thrive. By joining this program, you are not only changing a child's life but also enriching your own with the joy and fulfillment that comes from building a family through adoption.

For more information about our Belize adoption program and to begin your journey, please contact CCAI, your dedicated Belize adoption agency. Together, we can create brighter futures for Belize's children.

GiGi Pleet

Adoption Program Specialist

GiGi Pleet joined CCAI in 2014 as our China Applications Specialist. She rejoined the team in 2022 after taking a few years off to spend time with her family.  GiGi and her husband have adopted three beautiful daughters from China who are the joy and purpose of their lives.  GiGi is passionate about adoption and furthering CCAI’s mission to find loving parents and permanent homes for as many children as possible and to continue reaching out to children left behind.  When she is not working, you can find her spending time with her girls in the beautiful mountains of Colorado or on an adventure to a new, faraway place.
 
Joined CCAI:  Originally 2014 – 2020, rejoined 2022
 
Bucket List Item:  To see all Seven Wonders of the World 

Contact Information

gigi@ccaifamily.org

(303) 850-9998 ext. 300

Emily Straut

The Park Administrative Assistant

Emily was adopted through CCAI in 2002!  Having always admired the ways that the organization continued to support families even after adoption, she began working at The Park last year because she wanted to be more involved in the adoption community and according to her, “It’s been a blast so far!”

Emily is majoring in environmental science at MSU Denver and hopes to help mitigate the causes and effects of climate change. In her free time, she like to practice guitar, play video games, watch movies, and spend time with her friends and family. 

Bucket List: Visit every province in China!

Contact Information

emily@theparkcommunity.org

(303) 221-6688 ext. 170

CO Team Line 4

Ivy Buchanan

The Park Adoptee Program Coordinator

Ivy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Production Design for Film and Theater with a minor in Studio Art. She had the opportunity to study abroad in London, England and Florence, Italy. After graduating, while visiting an orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal she had a moment of realization and knew she wanted to work in the adoption community. After some prior experience in post-adoption and nonprofit management, she came to The Park and is really enjoying focusing on and being involved with offering lifelong support for adoptees and the adoption community.

Ivy was adopted from Kazakhstan at 18-months old and is proud of her adoptee identity and her adoptive family. She is passionate about sharing the stories of the amazing people in the adoption community and helping adoptees celebrate their identities. Her lifelong best friend was adopted from China through CCAI. 

In her free time, she enjoys making art (she is working on a series of sculptural paintings of poached animal species), trying new food, catching up with friends, reading, and being with family. She loves to travel whenever possible.

Joined CCAI: 2023

Top Bucket List Items:

  • A trail ride through “Middle Earth” in New Zealand
  • Volunteering for a few weeks at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
  • Sleeping in a hammock on a beach

Contact Information

ivy@theparkcommunity.org

(303) 221-6688 ext. 205

CO Team Line 1

Colorado Expenses

ExpenseAmountPmt MethodPay ToDue
Application Fee$250Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIApplication submission
Child Abuse Record Search$35/FamilyCheckCO Dept of Human ServiceApplication submission
IAAME Monitoring & Oversight Fee$500Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAI (Sent to IAAME)After App Approval
First Program Fee (Includes Home Study)$5,700Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIAfter App Approval
CBI/FBI Fingerprint Search$39.50 per personMoney OrderColorado Bureau of InvestigationAfter App Approval
USCIS Filing & Fingerprinting$775 plus $85/adultCheck/Money OrderUS Dept. of Homeland SecurityUpon I-800A submission
Dossier PreparationApprox. $450-$900Check/Money OrderSecretary of State(s), Chinese Consulate(s)As preparing Dossier
Second Program Fee$5,050Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIDossier Submission
CCCWA Fee$1,270Check/ACH WithdrawalCCCWA via CCAIDossier Submission
Third Program Fee$5,500Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
CCCWA Post Adoption Translation Fee$300Check/ACH WithdrawalCCCWA via CCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Court Validation Deposit$200CheckCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Post Adoption Deposit (Refundable)$450Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Visa to enter China$140 (plus courier fee)Check/Credit CardChinese Consulate via a courier/travel agencyApproximately one month before travel to China
US Domestic & International Airfare$1,000 – $2,000 per traveler (adopted child over 2 requires full ticket)Credit CardA travel agency/airline of your choice

Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure

In China Travel & AccommodationsApprox. $4,000-$4,400 for two adultsACH WithdrawalCCAI (wired to China)Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure
Adoption Registration and Notarization$800 – $1,000CashLocal government in ChinaIn China
Orphanage Donation(Voluntary)Cash or WireOrphanageIn China
Child’s Passport$100-$150CashLocal passport agencyIn China
Food$700 – $800 per coupleCash/Credit CardHotel(s), restaurant(s)In China
Child Physical & Photo$130-$150CashClinicIn Guangzhou, China
Child U.S. Entry Visa$325Cash or CheckU.S. ConsulateIn China
Court Validation Fee$167CheckCounty CourtAfter U.S. Return
Child’s Colorado Birth Certificate$37.75CheckColorado Vital Statistics OfficeAfter U.S. Return
Lutheran Family Services$250CheckLutheran Family Services via CCAIWhen Home Study is approved by CCAI