[MDChicago]

Just wanted to get your opinion. My dossier has been completed since last January. The agecy says that December is a slow month and in January, Russia pretty much shuts down. My agency is waiting for accreditation. they have many connections and are guaranteed accreditiation from the MOE. I don't want to loose the money I have already paid and can't change agencies. They say this is not the reason for not getting a referral yet. I'm waiting for a 1-3 year old boy or girl. They have suggested to start thinking about looking at another country. I just don't know what to do at this point. Are there any other families waiting for a referral and how are you coping with this wait. Are you sticking it out?

[Jim_in_PA]

Please forgive me for being blunt...but reality is what it is.

The fact that your agency is not currently accredited very much could be affecting your ablity to get a referal. Given the touchy situation over there, many, if not most, regions are being very careful with walking the line relative to Russian law even if they are very adoption-friendly. Many agencies apparently have been sugar-coating their situation relative to re-accreditation, but the bottom line is until it happens, it's not a done deal...for any agency no matter how "well connected" they are. Take any statements about the same with an open mind...

[Ktates]

I'm with Jim - when was your dossier actually in Russia - was that January? Your age range is old enough that if it wasn't for the reaccreditation thing you probably would have had a referral by now. I think it has a LOT to do with your agency not being accredited. I'm not sure why the are telling you to think about another country if they are assured their accreditation is going to come through. It is slow in Decmeber and beginning of January though.

[drazil65]

Have to agree with the others, you are being fed a line and the fact that they are suggesting you think about switching is a very big red flag. They do not umbrella do they because if they do run, if you go back and read some of the older threads on agencies and those that umbrella you will understand. Everyone out there that are still waiting for whatever reason they are giving you, please go do your research and then research some more. Hopefully it will enlighten you back to reality or as Jim put it, it is what it is!!!! Good Luck with this.

[erickk]

We were where you are now--and in June we decided to stay in Russia and our region but move to another agency that was accredited. We got our dossier to the new agency in August (had to wait for a home study update). Although we hit a snag because the MoE was out sick for 5 weeks-things are progressing and we believe we will be getting our referral soon and spending our winter months in Siberia for trip one and two. We lost money but decided we need to complete our adoption in a reasonable amount of time. One year is a long time to wait for a referral-we are waiting for a 2-3 year old boy or girl.

With people who have gotten referrals from non-accredited agencies and then losing them--I am not sure I would want a referral if my agency was not accredited. It is probably true that is the reason they are not getting referrals.

I wish you luck in your decision. If you feel you want to move to another country I would also suggest what others have. Do your research and talk to other parents who have used your agency and adopted from that country.

[DebiP]

Maria I pm'ed you

[Amysue1112]

We are still waiting for a referral too. But we have have our own crazy story. We basically demanded that something happens, and happens SOON, so our agency is putting us in a new region in Jan, and the 9 months we have already waited will be considered in our placement in our new region Izchevsk. But our agency was re-accredited in June. If our agency was not accredited, we would definitely be switching agencies. It is hard enough with all your "ducks in a row". Without accreditation, I didn't think an agency could even get referrals anymore, and even if they did, could not follow through with court. One thing is for sure, I would not want to get a referral, and then not be able to get him/her home b/c accreditation issues. I saw a lot of people go through it, and it was awful.

Good luck, I know how hard it is to wait. And what am I doing? Just keeping busy and praying a lot!
Amy

[mgwurster]

I'm with an unaccredited agency as well. My wait has not been as long as yours, but my agency has said that they cannot receive any referrals until they are accredited - they don't umbrella, nor do I want them to. Therefore I am under the impression that no agency can receive a referral unless accredited. My agency has also said that while they fully expect to be re-accredited - there is no "guarantee". I would be very nervous to get a referral unless accredited.

We have already looked into new agencies and if nothing happens after the first of the year we will probably change agencies. Yes, we have money down as well, but will fight to get most of it back.

Good luck with your decision.