Our Services

A Letter from the Director

Thank you for considering West Sands Adoptions. We look forward to providing excellent service in making the adoption process as smooth as possible for your family.

West Sands Adoptions has been licensed for 14 years as a non-profit 501(c)(3) Adoption Agency in the state of Utah (Lic. #13625) specializing in international adoptions. We do not work in countries we consider to be high risk. We are currently licensed in China, Ethiopia and Haiti, although we are not currently accepting applications for Haitian adoptions. We are currently awaiting approval to participate in the Child Waiting Program in China. We are authorized to work in two provinces of Ethiopia and are working with 4 orphanages with 7 establishments in 3 regions.  This allows West Sands Adoptions to place more children with a much smaller waiting list.

Home studies are required of all applicants. WSA works closely with other adoption agencies and can help coordinate the home study in the state in which you reside. Adoption agencies typically network, share resources and expertise. WSA will do everything possible to ensure a successful adoption.

WSA will help prepare your dossier (international file) for the country of your choice. WSA has extensive experience in dossier preparation and will assist you in each step of the process. Once completed, the dossier is sent to the foreign country for processing. Processing time varies among the different countries and can be a long waiting period for eager parents. China currently has a long wait time; however the Child Waiting Program has a relatively short wait time. Currently, Ethiopia’s wait time is very short.

During the processing period WSA will stay in contact with you by phone and email. WSA will also put you in contact with other families who are adopting through WSA and groups who meet together to discuss experiences in the adoption process. We provide training opportunities required by The Hague to prepare you to enjoy your newly adopted child or sibling group to the fullest. We work with you in making international travel plans as trouble free as possible once it is time to pick up your child/children. Our Program Coordinators in China and Ethiopia meet you at the airport and guide you through every step of the finalization process.

After you are home with your child/children, WSA is required to file post-placement reports that must be completed in a timely manner. China requires two reports to be filed at the 6th and 12th month anniversary of the adoption. Ethiopia requires reports be filed at the 3rd, 6th and 12th month anniversaries. Furthermore, Ethiopia requires the adoptive parents to file an annual report each year until the child/children are 18 years of age. Three different photographs of each child must be sent with each report. It is critical that these reports be completed and sent to your child’s country of origin. WSA will assist you with these requirements and the cost of these reports is pre-paid when you apply. You must be fully committed to completing these reports and the mandatory adoption training.

WSA does not control some of the fees which are subject to change at any time. Our goal is to keep fees as low as possible because placing orphaned children with wonderful families such as yours is our sacred mission. WSA suggests you speak to your tax preparer, accountant or attorney to see if you qualify for the Federal Tax Credit for Adoptions.

WSA strives to make the adoption process as easy as possible for all parties involved. Please note that final approval of your application will only be granted upon the successful completion of the home study. Please feel free to contact WSA should you have any questions.

Very Sincerely,

Kent C. Parke

Two elementary-aged Chinese girls walking hand-in-hand in alley

Kent Parke in Ethiopia

Kent and Lynn Parke

At your request, West Sands Adoptions will gladly make available the following information: (a) the number of our adoption placements per year for the prior three calendar years, and the number and percentage of those placements that remain intact, are disrupted, or have been dissolved as of the time the information is provided; and (b) the number of parents who apply to adopt on a yearly basis, based on the last three calendar years. West Sands Adoptions places “Waiting Children” through China’s program of adoption for special needs and waiting children. However, we do not have our own list of waiting children at this time. Parents who apply for adoption through programs with West Sands Adoptions will not be referred a child for placement until a child becomes available through the appropriate Central Authority in the child’s country of origin.