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Dim Sum Summer 2010

Adoption Tax Credit Extended and Improved

"Joint Council is pleased to confirm that the Adoption Tax Credit (ATC), which was scheduled to expire in 2010, was extended for one-year (through December 31, 2011).   The highlights of the ATC are;

• The maximum credit was increased from $12,150 to $13,170,
• The ATC is now retroactive to January 1, 2009.  This represents a potential increase of $1,000 for adoptive families.
• The ATC was made refundable.  If a family has no tax liability, the IRS will refund the amount due.
• The extension of the ATC through 2011, was passed as part of the health care reform bill which was signed into law by President Obama on Monday, March 22, 2010.   There was some concern that the ATC would be included in the reconciliation process, however we have confirmed that it is not part of reconciliation which means the ATC is law until December 31, 2011.

Joint Council along with many other advocates and adoptive families have long advocated for making the ATC permanent.  We applaud Congress and the Obama administration for the extension and continue to call for a permanent tax credit.

The ATC is a critically important element in finding permanent families for children in the U.S. foster care system and the children of our world, who live without permanent parental care.  The ATC makes adoption a viable option for many families who may otherwise be unable to afford to adopt.  We again applaud the extension and improvements to the Adoption Tax Credit."

Quoted from http://betheanswerforchildren.wordpress.com

E-Letter from Sandra Miller

Executive Director, ASIA

February 2, 2010

BREAKING NEWS!  It is with great pleasure and anticipation that Associated Services for International Adoption (ASIA) and Adoption Center of Washington D.C. (ACW) announce a formal affiliation that expands program offerings to families for both agencies.  Both agencies are nonprofit organizations and both are Hague accredited.

Since 1992 ACW has been offering families a program in Russia; it currently works in three regions of the Russian Federation.  Both married couples and single persons are eligible to adopt.  ACW is also licensed in Vietnam and provides humanitarian aid to an orphanage there.  When Vietnam reopens, ACW will be ready to reactivate its previously successful program.

Since 1995 ASIA has specialized in China adoption.  Currently the agency offers successful and smooth special needs adoption programs in China and Taiwan.  Both ASIA and ACW have healthy infant China programs – but as you know this program now has an extremely long wait should a family choose this option.

Each agency will continue to provide primary placement services in their areas of specialty.  For example, if you live in Virginia or Washington, D.C. and want to adopt a child from China, ACW will serve as your home study and post placement agency and ASIA would be the primary placing agency.  The same is true if an Oregon or Washington couple or individual wants to adopt from Russia.  ACW would be the primary placing agency and ASIA the home study agency.  Because of the close ties between the agencies, service will be better than ever!!

The ACW and ASIA Boards of Directors and staff are excited about the synergies and efficiencies to be gained by partnering together.  As the affiliation evolves, we will keep you informed of changes.  Over time, you will see also changes to websites and marketing materials.  If you want to learn more, please contact Sandra Miller at 503-224-1860 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Linda Brownlee at 703-549-7774 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We are interested in your ideas and feedback.

Are you concerned about adopting out of birth order?  Click here to read an Adoptive Families article about why this option may be right for your family.

Also read a success story from an ASIA family by clicking here.

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A little bit of Chinese Culture...

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In the interest of keeping ASIA's mission of providing cultural support for adopted children and their families, the staff has decided to add "A little bit of Chinese Culture..." to our updates and announcements. If you have any cultural facts you would like to add to our list, please feel free to send them to Toni as This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gift-giving is a customary formality and an expression of appreciation in Chinese culture. Below are some tips for gift-giving in China and Taiwan:

*Always present wrapped gifts- consider wrapping in colors fortuitous to the Chinese: red, gold, yellow or pink.

*Avoid wrapping in white or black as they are associated with funerals. Also reconsider green (the color of separation) and blue (the color of mourning)

*Never give a clock because Chinese associate it with death- the word for clock, "jung", sounds like the Cantonese word for funeral

*Watches, on the other hand, are popular

*Knives or scissors are inappropriate gifts as they represent severing ties

*Taiwanese don't give umbrellas because the word sounds like the word for separation

*Always present and accept a gift with two hands as a sign of respect, reverence and sincerity

*It is not customary for the Chinese to open gifts in front of the giver. They will graciously accept the gift and put it aside for opening after the guests have departed. The purpose of this custom is twofold. First the Chinese consider impatience and selfishness taboo. Second, it spares embarrassment to the giver and receiver should the gift not be pleasing, thus "saving face" for all involved.

*Chinese typically do not send thank-you notes because the gratitude has been expressed in person at the time of receiving the gift and another written formality is redundant.

-Good Luck Life by Rosemary Gong (2005)


Happy Holidays from all of us at ASIA!


Toni Flitcraft
Office Coordinator
Associated Services for International Adoption (ASIA)