[pequele]

What is the COA and what does this mean:

COA has been named by the U.S. Department of State as the only national accreditor of agencies that provide intercountry adoption services under the Hague Convention.

This has nothing to do with the accreditation in Russia does it?

Steph

[k8c]

Council on Accreditation

In general, “Accreditation” is a certification, based on extensive examination, that a service organization operates at the level of “Best Practice” as evaluated against a set of rigorous standards by trained representatives of peer institutions.

Accreditation is much different than licensing. Agencies are licensed by the state; A license assures that the agency operates above a certain minimum legislated level in support of state laws. It does not, however, mandate a level of practice or proscribe operations in the detail that Accreditation does.

The Council on Accreditation is the leading organization for the accreditation of human services programs for families and children, and is the only body of its kind which certifies international adoption organizations.

What does it involve?

It covers every aspect of agency operation. Standards include operation as an effective non-profit organization, effective and accountable management, sound financial management, effective personnel practices and training, effective client services, documented and effective procedures, and, most importantly, effective and ethical international adoption practices. Requirements in each of these areas are set forth in extreme detail.

Preparation for accreditation review requires establishment of procedures, implementation of procedures, training in procedures, and documentation of compliance, followed by on site review by a peer review team.

Accreditation declares that upon review of peers and the governing board of COA that we operate at the highest level of quality service. Periodic reviews assure that the agency continues to operate at that level in order to maintain its Accreditation.

[pequele]

but this has no determination on accreditation in russia right? this is just a us thing...so I still haveto worry about them right?