Center for Adoption Policy
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October 2020

October 27, 2020. Department of State Delays Revised Substantial Compliance System. The State Department has issued a notice announcing that the revised Substantial Compliance System (SCS) from November 1, 2020 to April 1, 2021. The SCS is "a system of weightings the accrediting entity uses to evaluate the compliance of accredited and approved adoption service providers (ASP) with required standards under the federal regulations governing intercountry adoption. The SCS is a critical tool for protecting the safety and best interests of children adopted through the intercountry process, as well as adoptive families and birth families." More Information.

October 21, 2020. Another Take on Amy Coney Barrett's Haitian Adoption. In response to the New York Times article posted earlier this week, several articles have been published. One writer asks a seminal question: why was Judge Barrett's adoptions the subject of an article, at all? In 2005, the New York Times decided that the adoptions of then Judge, now Chief Justice, John Roberts was not relevant to his confirmation hearings. To read more, please click here.

October 19, 2019. Article on Judge Amy Coney Barrett's Adoptions. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is the mother of five biological children as well as two children adopted from Haiti, in 2005 and 2010. As part of its coverage of the nomination, the New York Times has published an article on Barrett's adoption which may be found by clicking here.

October 12, 2020. Senator Wicker: "Time to Remove Obstacles to Intercountry Adoption" Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss) took to the Senate floor to discuss the State Department's role in U.S. international adoption. Senator Wicker said, "In recent weeks, I have called on the Senate to investigate the Office of Children's Issues and hold hearings to expose their misuse of authority. In addition, I have co-sponsored legislation requiring the State Department to give an account for their actions and explain how they are working to make intercountry adoption more feasible. The bill would also help prospective parents get the information they need to pursue adoption abroad. This legislation has passed the House and Senate unanimously and now awaits the President's signature." To read his full statement, please click here.

October 7, 2020. Agency Relinquishments. The Department of State has announced that Catholic Charities of Fairfield, Inc. and Creative Adoptions, Inc. have both relinquished their accreditation to do international adoptions. Over twenty adoption service providers have lost their accreditation, been suspended, or have given up their accreditation for international adoption in 2020.

October 1, 2020. Congress Enacts Bipartisan Adoption Bill. Yesterday, the Senate unanimously passed the Intercountry Adoption Information Act of 2019. Senators Roy Blunt and Amy Klobuchar gave their views: "There are millions of children around the world without a loving, safe home," said Senator Blunt. "This bill will ensure parents have more information to navigate the intercountry adoption process, which can be a major challenge when trying to adopt a child from a country with restrictive adoption policies. As co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I'll continue working to ensure we have policies in place that better support families who are eager to open their homes to a child in need." "Around the world, there are so many children who need loving homes." "Our bipartisan Intercountry Adoption Information Act would improve information sharing for those navigating the complex international adoption process. I am proud to work with my colleagues to make the adoption system more effective in finding every child a home." More Information.

Center for Adoption Policy (CAP)
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