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The Backlog

In June of 2007 I figured the backlog was likely around 29,000. In March of this year I estimated that the backlog at around 23,750.

What is it now? Good question.

Let’s assume the CCAA is currently getting around 50 dossiers a month for the NSN program, and that they referred around 150 NSN babies a month since the last time I figured the backlog. That brings the backlog down by around 100 families per month (not per batch, since there have only been eight batches in ten months: I divided the yearly figure by 12, so this is per month). That brings us down to 22,750. But that’s not what is bringing the backlog down, it is attrition that is bringing the backlog down. We figured attrition at 30% back then, and now it looks like attrition is at 43% gone. Using the bigger attrition number, that brings the backlog down to around 18,300.

Using our Projection Estimates, at 1,000 NSN referrals a year, it will take another 18 years to get through the current backlog if there are no new dossiers. At 1100 referrals a year, it will take another 16 years to get through the backlog. At 1400 referrals a year it will take another 13 years. Based on the batch we are about to get, I’d say that 1,000 NSN referrals a year might be a bit too optimistic.

Even if the backlog is now down to 12,000 (that’s the lowest estimate I’ve seen an agency give, most agencies are up in the 15,000 to 18,000 range when they give an estimate)… anyway, even if we use 12,000 as the backlog figure then we’re still looking at an additional 8 to 12 years (or more) to get through that backlog. Unless, of course, attrition continues to rapidly bring those numbers down. Which is what I think the CCAA is counting on at this point.

No matter how I do the math, it ain’t pretty. I really wish I could come to the blog to post really good news for everyone.


 
 
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30 Responses to “The Backlog”

  1. Mom2Isabel Says:

    No words.

    M2I
    http://www.MyChineseShamrock.blogspot.com

  2. mom23boys Says:

    Thus, the program is actually shutting itself down. Actions speak louder than words.
    5/06

  3. daughter4us Says:

    My U.S. agency reported to us (LID 4/3/06) last night “The CCAA has updated their website and it states that referrals have been made through April 3rd.”

  4. kki09 Says:

    Definitely not what I was hoping for!!!

  5. ba712 Says:

    Our LID is 4-3-06. Any definite news as to when we might see a picture??? It’s been a long 4 years, and I just want to see her face!!!

  6. Shelba Says:

    I have finally accepted that there will be no speed up. It has only taken me 3.5 years to get there…

  7. huntergirl Says:

    I’m with Mom2Isabel….No words! I feel so bad for everyone waiting…..

    Our LID is 4-3-06 and we’ve waited 4 years…..we’ve YET to hear from our agency as our main social worker is off until the New Year and the ’sub’ is off until tomorrow. I’ve emailed and called, but I guess we have to wait.

    Hoping and praying for good things for ALL of us!

  8. lightiv Says:

    RQ, I know it must be tough being the bearer of bad news but we come here because we know you give us the facts and reality of the situation unlike our adoption agencies, well at least my agency.

    I looks like we are in for a net “1 day” of referrals with April 1 & 2 being weekend days. So, so sad!!!!

  9. franceskasmom Says:

    RQ dont ever feel bad for what you have to tell us. At least you talk with us, I think the general concensus is that our agencies dont tell us anything……

    Also RQ do you have a guess as to when they will be finished with April 2006?? I know it is just a guess….

    Kristy
    4/21/06

  10. TegansMom2B Says:

    Long time lurker, finally decided to join and post. I’ve tried to understand the stats and where that places me in the scheme of things, but still am not sure about how long a wait I can plan on- other than it being a long time. If anyone knows what the est. wait time is based on my LID (4/19/07), please let me know.

  11. dtmia Says:

    Our agency is open today, they said that the Fed-X runs in the morning….just waiting for a call!!! I would “think” that they have been mail, because the box was changed.

    Waiting for a CAll

    Teresa
    LID 4/03/06

  12. Vikki Says:

    ……… and so we wait.

    Come on team, let’s continue pushing forward!! Our babies are depending on us!!

    RQ – just please tell us that “something is in the air” SOON!!!!

  13. Final Journey Says:

    Still waiting for our daughter…. Praying for better news!

    7-31-06

  14. theswanigans Says:

    Referrals are at our agency in St. Louis. About 45 mintues ago they said we should receive our email in about an hour!

    Angie Swanigan
    04/03/06!!!!

  15. daughter4us Says:

    Angie – Please e-mail us with your agency! Ours is St. Louis also — maybe we have the same one? cminkle1@yahoo.com
    Our LID is 4/3/06!!

  16. sarah123 Says:

    So sad. It’s just unbelievable that they continue to accept applications! Congratulations to those about to get the call (hopefully) today! :-) You are in for a fabulous ride.

  17. daughter4us Says:

    We just got our referral e-mailed to us!!!! More from us later!!!

  18. huntergirl Says:

    Our agency is NC emailed that they received the POSTING from CCAA of 4/3/06, but have no word on referrals being sent to the US. Our regular social worker and ’sub’ are out of the office, so this came from another person. She said the ’sub’ will be contacting us tomorrow! I sure hope we get referral!

    Those of you that got referrals today…..congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    We are 4-3-06 and beside ourselves with excitement.

  19. dtmia Says:

    We just got a call from our KY agency she is here

    Please add our blog

    http://ladybugsandhugs.blogspot.com

    Wait Hope And Dream
    Teresa
    LID 4/03/06

  20. Noendinsight Says:

    congrats to all the 4/3 people!

    if this batch is any indication of what’s to come, 1,000 NSN referrals is very optimistic…that would be getting into june. at three days per month we’d be lucky if they sent out 500 referrals for the entire year…

  21. auntiem Says:

    Huntergirl we are with the same agency and hopefully since other referrals are in fact arriving, we may yet year something before this day is done. Keeping my fingers crossed.

    4/3/06. Waiting by the computer and the phone!

  22. mom23boys Says:

    Yeah for the referrals arriving! I have goosebumps for you all!!!! I never thought we would get to see April 06. march seemed like forever!!!!

  23. Noendinsight Says:

    we’re really in trouble if the next batch is small because that’s followed by CNY and we know the batch after that is super-small.

  24. llsgroi Says:

    We are keeping our fingers crossed for you all and hope next year referrals move along faster.

    And always remember, it is one of the most beautiful things you will ever experience.

    http://sgroiland.blogspot.com

  25. kcbock Says:

    This is so disheartening but we have seen the writing on the wall for a very long time. Again, NSN is becoming obsolete and SN is becoming their main program. They are doing everything they can to make SN fast and easy and are even notifying agencies when the list is coming out. They are bending over backwards for SN but phasing out NSN.

    One question, I have heard of people who are stuck in the backlog who cannot switch to SN even if they wanted to. Is that really happening? Can people who want to go SN route not able to based on their agency? And if that is the case, can they switch agencies?

    I just am searching for some ray of hope for the late 2006 to 2007 and beyond.

    Christy :)

    ps congrats to all the 4/3 folks!! Referral day was one of the best days of my life!!!!

  26. King Says:

    This is what my agency reported last week to us.
    This is numbers within their agency so that will give you a percentage of adoptions:
    -13 from the healthy program, and 43 from the special needs program
    international adoptions to the United States
    -China came in 1st, with 3001 children, and Ethiopia came in 2nd with 2277

  27. cctoot Says:

    I’m so old that I might be the first person to get a referral after I’m dead. I can barely realistically see waiting another two years, much less 12 more years. Thousands of dollars that I cannot get back… Thousands of dollars that I could have just DONATED to some worthy cause that would have been better used.

  28. Long_March Says:

    kcbock, that is correct that not everyone can access the SN program. In my country IA is run by one government department per state. If that department chooses not to become involved in the SN program then their clients cannot access the program. There are no privately run agencies and you can only apply to your own states government department.

    Regards,
    Long_March

  29. Long_March Says:

    Hi RQ,
    are you able to estimate from your data what proportion of the 18,000 backlog makes up the April 06 to pre-May 07 rule change applications versus the post-May 07 to now applications?

    Kind Regards,
    Long_March

  30. koldollorca Says:

    I’m quite new in this web. LID 23-june-06, writting from Spain. Not very familiar how you calculate number of files closed in each batch/month and if this is only US or worldwide, but if it is a kind of help, there has been 33 files closed with LID 3-apr-06 not assigned to any adoption agency (technically called “Protocolo publico”) to Spanish families. Source: http://www.afac.info asignaciones tag.
    Regards
    koldollorca