November 2014

November 20, 2014. An Adoption Month Salute to Senator Mary Landrieu. During November, which is National Adoption Month, we try to give recognition to those who have made a difference to the lives of children who have found their permanent, loving families through adoption. Today we would like thank Senator Mary Landrieu for all that she has done and continues to do for child welfare. Senator Landrieu has been a pillar of advocacy for unparented children. The laws which she has sponsored, in the areas of foster care, domestic adoption and international adoption, have created tangible improvements in the lives of millions of children in the eighteen years Senator Landrieu has served in Washington. Her tireless work for families whose children have been stuck in foreign country limbo has provided a crucial lifeline to so many children. We as a community owe Senator Landrieu a huge debt of gratitude.

November 19, 2014. Government and Other Notices: Adoption Agency Suspended. The Council on Accredditation (COA) suspended the accreditation of Illien Adoptions International, Inc. on November 7, 2014, citing Illien's failure "maintain substantial compliance with the accreditation standards at 22 Code of Federal Regulations Part 96, Subpart F." The suspension will last at least 15 days and until Illien has corrected its violations. Illien has programs in Azerbaijan, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, and Venezuela, as well as for outgoing adoptions from the United States. More Information.

November 17, 2014. The Dave Thomas Foundation Names Adoption-Friendly Workplaces. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has come out with its annual list of the most adoption friendly work places. Not only is there a top 100 companies by industry but also a list of the best companies by size and in the state of Ohio. The Dave Thomas website is an excellent source for adoption-related information as well. More Information.

November 13, 2014. Government and Other Alerts: Mexico. The Department of State has announced that as of January 2, 2015, the Immigration Visa Unit in the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez will process all intercountry adoption visa applications for the adoption of Mexican Children. This includes all I-800 petitions as well as remained I-600 petitions. Until January 1, 2015, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City will continue to process these applications. The adoption process otherwise remains the same: "After completing the adoption and obtaining a new birth certificate and passport for their adopted child(ren), adoptive parents should plan to appear before the SRE in Mexico City in order to apply for the required Article 23 certificate. Once the SRE issues the Article 23, adoptive parents may then travel to Ciudad Juarez to complete the visa application. Anyone with questions may contact DOS at AdoptionUSCA@state.gov or call us at 1-888-407-4747. More Information.

November 12, 2014. Adoptions Plummet in England. The Adoption Leadership Board has announced that the number of adoptions in England fell by almost half in less than a year. Part of the reason for the drop may be several recent court decisions in adoption and foster care cases. The most senior family court judge chastised social workers for sloppy work and for turning too quickly to adoption. As a result, many local authorities may have decided not to process adoptions at all. The government is being asked for clearer guidance of how best to proceed. For More Information.

November 11, 2014. What Adoption Means to a Child. November is National Adoption Month and in recognition of this fact Huffington Post has assembled "27 Breathtaking Photos Of Adoptive Families Uniting." Take a look at these beautiful pictures. Adoption changes the world of each child who, through this form of family creation, finds her permanent, loving family. The story can be found by clicking here.

November 10, 2014. China's "Baby Hatches" Prove a Useful Refugee for Children Parents Cannot Raise. Two years ago China opened "Baby Hatches," where parents could anonymously leave their babies and children who they could not raise. The Ministry of Civil Affairs has announced that the program will be expanded nationwide during 2015. An analysis of 262 children left in Guangzhou found that all were ill or disabled. Almost half had cerebral palsy, 15 percent had Down's Syndrome and 12 percent suffered from congenital heart disease. These children were placed in local orphanages and may well be available for international adoption at some later date.

November 6, 2014. Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act Provides Funds for Post-Placement Support for Domestic and Internationally Adopted Children. The Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (PL 113-183), which became law earlier this year has among its goals the improvement of post placement services for adopted children. It provides that states must invest at least 20 percent of their savings from increased federal subsidies for adoption assistance into post-adoption and post-guardianship services. Notably, these services are not restricted to children adopted from foster care or state custody but are applicable to any child "who might otherwise enter into foster care under the responsibility of the state." We are delighted to see increased support for these essential support services.