Taiwan Adoption

**LEGISLATIVE UPDATE. JANUARY 2011.** The child welfare laws of the Republic of China "ROC" (Taiwan) are currently undergoing significant revisions. The proposed legislation, titled & The Children and Youth Welfare Rights Protection Act contains 115 articles of law that address various aspects of child welfare including adoption services.

The new law provides for the additional regulation of persons providing adoption services.  Whereas in the past, individuals as well as organizations could provide services (whether or not licensed), under the new law only licensed organizations will be able to provide adoption services.  There are currently 10 organizations in the ROC licensed to provide adoption services.  This includes 3 government orphanages, one quasi-governmental organization, and six private organizations.  Under the proposed legislation, organizations are subject to increased requirements and standards in terms of initial licensing and renewals, as well as ongoing agency procedures and services.  In addition, the law requires that adoptive parent training requirements must be met as well as screening measures for adoptive parents including but not limited to physical and mental health assessments, alcohol and drug screenings as well as criminal background clearances. 

The new legislation considers domestic placement a priority, with international adoption becoming an option only after efforts to place the child locally have been made.  The proposed legislation was considered by the ROC Social Welfare and Sanitation Environment Committee of the Legislative Yuan on November 17, 2010 and reported out favorably.  The legislation must pass through two additional considerations before final enactment.

Taiwan Adoption Program

Gladney works with licensed child welfare foundations in Taiwan. With the support of these child welfare foundations, Gladney's Taiwan program is able to offer adoption opportunities to families desiring to adopt an infant, child with special needs, or older healthy child!

Birth parents are typically involved in this adoption matching process. All adoptive family information shared with birth parents is non-identifying. Continued communication after placement, between the birth parent and adoptive family, is coordinated between the child welfare foundation and Gladney.

Children come into the care of a child welfare institute when a birth mother decides to relinquish her rights to a child or a child is referred by the social service department of a local county government. Most children will be between the ages of 6 months and 12 years at the time of referral. Healthy and special needs children are available, both male and female.

Special Needs Program

Please check out Gladney's Asia Waiting Children Program for further information on waiting children from Taiwan.

How Do I Start the Adoption Process?

Gladney staff will guide your family in the adoption process from the start of your journey. To learn more about adopting from Taiwan, please request one of Gladney's free, comprehensive Adoption Information Packets. Make your request on-line or by calling 1-800-INT-ADOP.

We look forward to sharing our expertise and experience in adoption with you as you embark upon building your family through adoption.  Our telephone number is 212-868-3434. Click here for our e-mail and postal addresses.

International Adoption Information Sessions

A free information seminar is available to learn more about Gladney's international adoption programs. Please join us!