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Colombia Hosting Program

Contact a Coordinator

About the Colombia Host-to-Adopt "Summer Miracles" Program

Accepting Applications
Hague Convention Country

APPLICATION'S FOR SUMMER HOSTING CLOSE APRIL 15, 2025 - IT'S NOT TOO LATE

Colombia provides a unique opportunity for select adoptable children, aged 11-15, to participate in sponsored vacation trips to host families in the US. The aim is to foster connections between the children and prospective adoptive families in the US, potentially leading to a lifelong family bond created by adoption. During these trips, children stay with a "host" family—individuals or couples considering adoption—and immerse themselves in the host family’s life while sharing in various vacation activities.

This unique program not only offers children residing in institutions or foster care in the care of the Colombian government welfare system (ICBF) an enriching experience they might otherwise miss but also exposes them to the dynamics of a healthy family life. For host parents it provides an opportunity to assess compatibility with older children and explore the potential for adoption. Should the host family decide to adopt the child they hosted, the child must also consent to the adoption. The vacation abroad approach allows prospective parents and children to familiarize themselves with each other before committing to adoption, facilitating a smoother transition into family life.

IAN is proud to partner with Kidsave to help these older children from Colombia experience the joys of summer and to help them find permanent, loving, adoptive families through this Summer Miracles Program.

If you are hosting with the intent of international adoption, we'd love to help! You can host a child in your home anywhere in the continental U.S. and choose IAN as your host partner, via Kidsave. Following hosting, should hyou wish to adopt your child,  we are available to assist with the adoption of your host child throughout the US, and do the full home studies in Colorado.

Host Family Requirements

If you are interested in adopting an older child or sibling group from Colombia after hosting the child, then this program is for you! It is imperative that you pre-qualify through International Adoption Net (IAN) to ensure that you meet Colombia's requirements for adoption before committing your time, money and emotions to hosting a child that you may or may not qualify to adopt.

IAN’s program is geared toward adoption between the child and host family, which is why we pre-qualify applicants for adoption prior to hosting. Here are some basics of the requirements.

Residency

The vacation program occurs in the US and applicants must currently live in the US.  

Citizenship

At least one person in the marriage must be a US Citizen which is also required of single applicants as well.

Age Requirements

Host parents should be between the ages of 25-55 years old (at time of referral from Colombia), and some exceptions may be made for someone 59-59 if seeking to adopt an older teen.

Marital Status

  • Colombia accepts married couples and singles, including LGBTQAI+ couples and singles. Married couples should be able to demonstrate two years or more of cohabitation.
  • If single, must be at least 25 years old. Men as well as women may host and adopt from Colombia.

Income

Host families must demonstrate the means to support the needs of the child during the 3-5 weeks of hosting, as well demonstrate ability to care for a child should adoption be the goal.

Health

Anyone using psychotropic medication (such as for anxiety or anti-depression, etc.) with a history of psychiatric conditions, or with a chronic or debilitating illness or criminal history should please speak with us first.

Other

  • IAN requires all applicants and adults 18 and older living in or frequently in the host home to get an FBI clearance, child abuse clearance in your state of residence, speak face-to-face at least once with a social worker, submit letters of reference, be medically and emotionally fit to host, and parent a child.
  • All applicants are required to complete a mini-home study (aka psychosocial evaluation) and 10 hours of pre-adoption education and 10 hours of program preparation at their own expense.
  • Colorado residents will complete a home study necessary to approve them as foster parents, a mini home study to meet ICBF guidelines, and Colorado-specific training prior to hosting children, per Colorado adoption requirements.

Who can be hosted?

All the children must be legally available for adoption before joining the program. From a potential adoption standpoint this significantly reduces the chance of risk in not being able to adopt the child after bonding during the vacation. If the host parents decide to adopt the child, the child also has the right to decide about being adopted by their host parent/s.

The children are interviewed prior to selection in the program, to learn about his/her life, interests and dreams of the future. This supplements what we will learn about the child through review of his/her documents and conversation with his/her social worker/psychologist.  Host families will be provided with information from these interviews and a translated copy of the child’s report containing information about the child, their history, any diagnoses, interests, behaviors and needs.

Age

Individual children ages 10-15, and many sibling groups who meet ICBF criteria, are authorized to participate in the program.

Health

The children are usually medically healthy with mild or correctable other special characteristics such as school delays, history of trauma, mild behavior challenges, ADHD, etc.

Travel Requirements

  • Host families will receive their host child in a central arrival city with other host families, then you will drive or fly with your child back to your home. Host parents are responsible to pay for all the child's activities, food, clothing and needs during the hosting program.
  • These expenses are additional to IAN's and Kidsave Program Fees and paid by the host family.
  • The children may not be taken out of the US during the program or left in the care of anyone other than an approved host parent or day camp.

Cost Estimates

Fees Paid to Kidsave and IAN for Hosting

The government of Colombia pays for the child's airfare to the US, and host parents provide the rest of the necessary fees to host a child or children.

Kidsave’s Application and Hosting Fees are paid directly to Kidsave to support their work in identifying participating children, providing training to families and volunteers, and coordinating with local hosting communities.

Fees Paid for Hosting to International Adoption Net are paid directly to IAN for our guidance of families, education, preparation of the required home study/mini psychosocial reports, and support during the duration of the hosting experience.

Regardless of the state in which you reside, IAN is available to provide the Colombian adoption services (at an additional cost) should you want to adopt the child/ren you hosted. If you reside in Colorado we are able to provide the hosting and adoption home study, education and post adoption services.

Should you pursue the adoption of your host child or children, additional adoption services fees will apply.

Program Dates 2025

Colombia hosting program will be over five weeks this summer. f you would like to host a child or siblings in 2025, over the Summer Hosting or Winter Hosting, let us know. Application deadline for Summer 2025 is April 15.

Benefits of hosting with the intent to adopt

  • Hosting a Colombian child through the ICBF sponsored program isn't just about spending quality time together—it's about exploring the concept of becoming a family through adoption. By welcoming a child into your home as one of your own, you not only can build a meaningful connection before committing to adoption as well as know the child you'll adopt before meeting them in Colombia.
  • Hosting a child tends to be a bit faster than straigt adoption, however, to fully capitalize on this opportunity, we strongly encourage host families to complete a full home study before hosting or as soon as possible. This step ensures that your adoption process remains efficient, potentially saving you months off the wait time compared to families without a home study.
  • If you've ever felt uncertain about adopting an older child, this program is designed for you. It allows you and the child to test the waters, experiencing family life together and forging bonds before making a permanent commitment. It's not just hosting—it's a pathway to creating a forever family, enriched by the unique experiences and connections forged during this special time.
Chat with our Colombia program supervisor!
Kelly Carmody has over 12 years of experience managing the Colombian adoption and hosting program, and has hosted Colombian kids many times as well as adopted twice from Colombia.
Contact Kelly

Address
5600 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Suite #250,
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

Phone
303-691-0808

Fax
‍‍
303-703-8250

Email
info@internationaladoptionnet.org

Hours of Operation
Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

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