Below are some details that I received from the IRS relating to the adoption tax credit. Documents substantiating the adoption or attempted adoption are required to be attached to the taxpayer's return. Acceptable documents are identified in the September 2010 guidance and in IRS publications. In addition, the IRS may ask for proof of expenses […]

Many families are now choosing to adopt children who are HIV positive. The children can come from any country, but the majority of HIV positive children come from Africa.  About 3 million children in sub-Saharan Africa are infected with the HIV virus, and 90% of all children with HIV come from this region. Because of […]

Saturday, May 7th, the day before Mother’s Day, is National Birthmother’s Day, a day to honor the millions of brave and loving women placed their babies and children for adoption. So how we can as adoptive parents honor our children’s birthmothers? It need not be very complicated. Just talking about the birthmother, sharing her name and […]

This year's World Malaria Day theme---"Achieving Progress and Impact.” According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/Features/WorldMalariaDay/ , the goal is to reach zero deaths by 2015. That is quite a goal to reach in just 4 years because every 45 seconds a child dies from malaria. In Uganda alone, malaria kills about […]

If you are adopting internationally, you know that there are two particularly critical times that you want professional medical assistance from someone who knows about international adoption: when you get a referral, and when you come home. Nightlight has compiled a state-by-state listing of Medical Providers that specialize in helping internationally adopted children. The list […]

Spina Bifida Occulta occurs in 10-20% of the population. Many people have no symptoms, but for those who do, these can vary widely. Surgery and treatment can also be effective.

Welcome to the first in a 6-part series on Spina Bifida. In the following posts we will discuss each of the types of Spina Bifida (SB); making the decision to adopt a child with SB; and the treatment and prognosis for these children. SB is a condition that occurs during the first month of fetal […]

The  China Centre for Children’s Welfare and Adoption released some new home study and post-placements requirements. These new guidelines and regulations for the home study go into effect as of October 1, 2011; and those regarding post placement visits and reports apply to families who receive Notice of Coming to China for Adoption after August […]

As you probably already know, Nightlight Christian Adoptions has been bringing tour groups from orphanages in Russia nearly every summer since 1995. These Summer Tour trips have been a special opportunity for kids to experience life in a U.S. family, perform traditional songs/dances in dozens of churches and venues and experience some of the most […]

Nightlight Christian Adoptions South Carolina office is holding our 3rd Annual Adoption Awareness 5K on June 11, 2011. Over the last two years, our in-house staff have planned and organized the 5K on our own. Last year, we reached out for help but were only able to find volunteers for the day of the event. […]