Host-to-Adopt

Host-to-Adopt allows families to welcome children from Colombia into their home for a five-week stay. This unique program, available to families in New York, New Jersey, Arizona, and South Florida, gives children and families the chance to get to know one another with the intent of adoption.

Registration is now open!

We’re excited to announce that registration is open for our Summer 2026 Host-To-Adopt program! If you’re interested in participating, we encourage you to fill out our pre-application. You can also join our upcoming webinar to learn more about the program and ask questions.

How Host-to-Adopt Works

The Colombia Host-to-Adopt Program is a unique and special pathway to adoption where prospective adoptive families host children who are eligible for adoption in their homes over the summer, providing housing, care, and, most importantly, connection. For many of these children it is their first experience of what a healthy family dynamic looks like. This is a beautiful, child-centered path to adoption because after hosting, both host families and children take the next steps toward adoption with a deep sense of each other. Our Host-to-Adopt Program is open to families residing in New York, New Jersey, Arizona, and South Florida, who are hoping to adopt an older child or sibling group (ages 10-13) from Colombia.

There are no additional Spence-Chapin program fees to participate in the hosting experience—families only pay the standard fees associated with the Colombia adoption program. To learn more, join our upcoming webinar.

How Host-to-Adopt Differs From Other Colombia Pathways

The Host-to-Adopt Program is the only pathway where families and children are able to meet and spend extended time with one another in person before officially moving forward with a formal adoption. This quality time allows children to be able to experience life in your family, community, and culture, and gives everyone the chance to get to know one another.

Host Family Eligibility

Age: Prospective adoptive parents ages 25 through their early 60s are eligible and must be open to adopting children ages 10–13 at the time of referral. In addition, there can be no more than a 50 year age difference between the child and the host parent(s). Other eligibility requirements may apply. Learn more at one of our upcoming webinars.

Marital Status: Colombia encourages applications from single persons and heterosexual and LGBTQ+ married couples living throughout the United States. Individuals with more than one divorce should consult with Spence-Chapin.

Single applicants must hold U.S. citizenship; for partnered/married applicants, only one applicant must hold U.S. citizenship.

Medical: Identified medical conditions, including mental health diagnosis, will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the country’s Central Authority, Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar.

Children Eligible for the Host-to-Adopt Program

The children who participate in the Host–to–Adopt Program vary in ages and backgrounds but are typically between the ages of 10 and 13 and may be part of a sibling pair. Sibling pairs are hosted together and eligible for adoption together. The children are all under the custody of Colombia’s child welfare system with an ultimate goal of intercountry adoption.

Children receive preparation and support before the hosting process, including therapy with a child psychologist to ensure the children are ready for the program. Once it has been determined that they are open to and ready to participate in the program, they attend a preparation camp where they learn about American culture and have discussions about what the experience will be like.

Although there is such thoughtful preparation, all children who participate in this program have trauma histories which can impact their behavioral and emotional needs. The children need host families who are committed to trauma-informed care, and our team will provide extensive training on this topic so all feel prepared!

Preparing for Your Hosting Journey

Apply → Home Study → Trainings → Matching → Video Calls → Hosting

A host family will complete a home study and attend trainings to better understand the program framework and how to care for a child who has experienced trauma. Host families will have an opportunity to learn about the children who will be participating in the program beforehand and will work with their Spence-Chapin social worker to determine what child characteristics may be a good match for the family. There will then be opportunities to get to know the child(ren) virtually through a facilitated video call before they arrive.. While children are here in the U.S. for hosting, families will provide for the housing and accommodations for the children they are hosting, and treat them just like another member of their family, taking them on any family excursions, doing sight-seeing, and participating in any other activities of daily family life.

Support Throughout The Process

Spence-Chapin will be available 24/7 to provide any support that is needed during the children’s 5-week stay in your home. A Colombian psychologist who knows the children will spend three nights in the home of each hosting family during the children’s stay to provide meaningful support to the child(ren) and the host family. A Colombian psychologist will spend approximately two days in the home of each hosting family during the children’s stay to provide meaningful support to the child(ren) and the hosting family. Spence-Chapin social workers will also do home visits to ensure that everyone is comfortable and will organize some excursions and get-togethers with other hosting families throughout the five-week period. After the hosting period ends, Spence-Chapin’s team will continue to guide you through the adoption processes while providing ongoing pre-adoption clinical support to your family.