The basics

This is a multipart series (how many, I'm not quite sure) to help explain answers to some questions our family and friends have been inquiring about. This first series deals with the following questions:

Just who is this "CCAA" anyway?

The CCAA is the Center for Chinese Adoption Affairs. It is the One and Only agency in China that handles all domestic and international adoptions. Think IRS and then make it bigger! It is located in Beijing and recently, as of late last year, moved to a new office.

The CCAA is made up of 8 separate departments:

Administrative Office Department
Adopter's Eligibility Review Department
Intercountry Placement Department
Domestic Adoption Department
Child Raising Department
Archives Management Department
Information and Technology Department
Finance Department

So as you can see based on the titles, the CCAA does a lot of things... for a lot of people. E and I are but a drop in the ocean of all that they manage for the children of China. These children include those adopted both within China and outside of China. But the CCAA has so much more they do also. A large part is developing orphanages, foster/nanny skills, programs for children who aren't adopted. Children in many cases stay in the orphanages or foster care from infancy through adulthood. Their basic needs met by the CCAA including housing, clothing, food and education. A daunting task in any country but monumental in China.

For E and I, the CCAA is our local 'agency'. They have our Dossier, along with 10's of thousands of other peoples. These Dossiers are our link to our future with Magpie. They will travel from one department to another (review to matching) over the next year or so until the time the CCAA sends us a referral for Magpie. (I'll do a post on how this occurs at some point)

But Wait!!! Don't you have a US agency?

Yes we sure do. Our agency is our lifeline to China. They held our hand as we created our Dossier (ok, they created it, we ran helter skelter from appointment to appointment gathering forms, writing checks, writing letters, applications...), they will arrange our local incountry (as in China) travel and our travel guide. They are our lifeline to Magpie and for that we are grateful. OUr agency though small has been wonderful to work with and overflowing in patience and support.

Is this how it is for all International Adoptions in other countries?

No, this is not exactly the same method for adoption in other countries. Some countries have no 'central government agency'. Adoption is 'arranged' via lawyers or the connections between your US agency and their contacts in the other country. there is no one way that all adoptions take place.

I hope this short explanation helped our family and friends understand a bit more about the CCAA and what they are responsible for. Keep the questions coming!