What is the Welcome Home Program?

The Welcome Home Program invites children from the Philippines who are waiting for a permanent, loving family to spend several weeks in the United States living with a host family. Hosting gives a waiting child the gift of family life — while giving your family the chance to open your heart and home.

Hosting is not adoption — it’s a first step.

Many hosted children go on to be adopted by their host family or another family who meets them through the program — but hosting itself carries no obligation to adopt. It’s an opportunity to build a bond and share the joy of family life.

Family Life
Weeks of everyday moments — meals, routines, play, and rest

Cultural Connection
A bridge between Filipino heritage and American family life

Lasting Bonds
Relationships that can grow well beyond the hosting period

Why Families Choose to Host

Change a Child’s Story
Give a waiting child memories of family, celebration, and belonging — possibly for the first time.

Discern Adoption
Hosting lets your family explore whether adoption is the next right step, with real time together.

Share Faith & Traditions
Welcome a child into everyday faith, holidays, and the rhythms of your family’s life.

Grow As a Family
Many host families say the experience deepens their own family’s compassion and unity.

From the Philippines

Hosted through ICA’s partner child welfare agencies in the Philippines.

Who are the Children We Host?

Children who are legally free and waiting for a permanent family, referred through ICA’s licensed partner agencies in the Philippines.

A range of ages and sibling groups are typically represented — exact children available for the July 2027 hosting window will be shared with approved host families.

Each child travels with an escort and required travel and legal documentation arranged through ICA and its Philippine partners.

Every child hosted is one step further from waiting — and one step closer to a family, whether that’s yours or another family they meet along the way.

From the Philippines

Hosted through ICA’s partner child welfare agencies in the Philippines.

Who are the Children We Host?

Children who are legally free and waiting for a permanent family, referred through ICA’s licensed partner agencies in the Philippines.

A range of ages and sibling groups are typically represented — exact children available for the July 2027 hosting window will be shared with approved host families.

Each child travels with an escort and required travel and legal documentation arranged through ICA and its Philippine partners.

Every child hosted is one step further from waiting — and one step closer to a family, whether that’s yours or another family they meet along the way.

Host Family Requirements

Family Basics

Be at least 25 years of age

Complete a host family application and orientation

Provide personal and household references

Clearances & Home Assessment

Pass fingerprint-based background clearances for all adult household members

Complete a home safety review and required trainings

Demonstrate financial ability to care for a hosted child

Application & Approval Process

Submit Your Application

Complete ICA’s Welcome Home Program host family application and pay the application deposit.

Attend Orientation

Join a required orientation session covering hosting expectations, safety, and support.

Complete Clearances

Fingerprinting and background checks for every adult in the household, plus references.

Home & Training Review

A home assessment and safety review and completion of ICA’s required host family training modules.

Approval & Matching

Once approved, your family is matched with a waiting child ahead of the July 2027 arrival.

What Hosting Costs

Program Fee
– $2,500 –

Covers program administration, cost of flights and travel and some activities, modified home assessment in-country coordination, and hosting support from ICA.

Fingerprint & Background Clearances
– Varies –

Required clearances for all adult household members; cost depends on state/agency fees.

Child’s Care During Hosting
– Family-Provided –

Everyday costs of hosting — food, activities, clothing, and incidentals — are the host family’s responsibility.

*Financial assistance and fundraising guidance may be available — ask your ICA hosting coordinator.

Support from ICA

Pre-Hosting Training

Guidance to help your family prepare emotionally and practically before your child arrives.

24/7 Hosting Support

A dedicated coordinator and on-call support team throughout the hosting period.

Language & Culture Help

Translation resources and cultural guidance to ease the transition for your child.

Post-Hosting Guidance

Support for saying goodbye well — and next steps if your family chooses to pursue adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hosting require us to adopt?ICA2026-09-11T09:07:58-07:00

Start Your Journey!

ICA has been a Voice of HOPE for children, youth, & and their families worldwide for over 30 years. Let us know how we can assist in raising your Voice of HOPE for those in need.

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What is the Welcome Home Program?