[amyfk]

hi to the list,

I hope everyone had good Easter and Passover holidays.

We are finished with our adoption, but I still try to keep up with the current events pertaining to Russian adoption. I know there is currently another accreditation slowdown(we were caught in one in fall 04/05).
Am I correct in my understanding? Is the Russian govt. supposed to start reaccrediting the agencies later this month? Are there any definitive answers on this or just speculation on the agencies and adopters' part?

Thanks in advance,
Amy K, NJ

[alex'smommy]

It is my understanding that when the 3 month time frame to accreditate the agencies was up at the end of march, the MOE asked for additional paperwork from all the agencies to show that Russian adopted children receive the same rights and protections as children born in that country. I believe this request came from the Department of Justice in Russia. My agency is hoping to have accreditation by the end of this month, but no one knows.

[his,mine&ours]

I'll add that as of this week, there will be 0 US agencies that are accredited. Some agencies are speculating that it is coming "soon", but their are no official statements from the MoE on timing. The 90 days came and went, so it is anyone's guess at this point. My agency has reps in Russia next week, so we are hoping to hear something...anything the last week of April.

[amyfk]

Hi,

Thanks for explaining what you know about the current accreditation situation. I appreciate it. I wish all the waiters luck and hope that things will move soon.
Amy K, NJ

[cathvash]

The really frustrating thing is that most of the agencies lost accreditation last May 17th, so we are going on a year now with an accreditation "gap" This is the longest accreditation problem this process has experienced in recent history... I remember last summer the posts about "Boy, we hope accreditations are coming through by the end of July...That's what we are hearing." This expectation for imminent reaccreditation went into August, then Sept...Oct...Nov... We have always been just one step away, and then some other requirement comes through. We've all been told "Soon" a hundred times...

Now, I really DO hope that "Soon" is "Soon"!!! I think the journey though the four Ministries is the last step. Once the MOE gets the documents back, it seems certain they will be quickly approved. My only fear is that any of the people in the 4 ministries could stall for some reason. Let's hope things move quickly now...

[Amysue1112]

Wow Cathvash..you are so right...we thought the last re-accreditation delay was bad...argh..I can't even imagine.
When we were in Russia for trip 2 last May, or release letter was recalled to Moscow b/c our agencie's accreditation was "going" to run out in June and well, they thought...ah..close enough. Thank GOODNESS the judge had mercy on us and called Moscow herself and demanded that letter...I shudder at the thought that, if our letter was NOT re-released, we would STILL be waiting to go back for our sweet Hannah. I am sick to my stomach reminiscing about what we went through...I am going to pray even harder for you guys that you are united/reunited with your kiddos SOON!

Oh please LORD, move in the hearts of those in the Russian govt that are delaying this process...PLEASE relieve the suffering in the hearts of the parents (awaiting and bring them their children SOON. And especially, please keep a watchful eye on the children waiting for their families...let them feel in their hearts how much they are loved and wanted and keep them safe and healthy until they can come home. Amen

[njclan9]

Originally Posted by alex'smommy

It is my understanding that when the 3 month time frame to accreditate the agencies was up at the end of march, the MOE asked for additional paperwork from all the agencies to show that Russian adopted children receive the same rights and protections as children born in that country. I believe this request came from the Department of Justice in Russia. My agency is hoping to have accreditation by the end of this month, but no one knows.

My agency told me the same thing. We were told to expect news by the end of April.

[sarah_h]

Hi everyone,

Has anyone gotten agency updates this week related to accreditation? The website where I usually look for info is offline right now, so I thought I'd check in with you all here.

thanks!

[kazmumtobe]

when the chat board that usually has more stuff on accrediation comes back up - go read a post about the reacred. letter that someone translated. I was reading the threads and someone posted the question that the letter seemed to say 3 mos for each ministry to review (OMG). Don't know if it was the xlation or if it really means that. I hope not!

[cathvash]

This is the statement on the US Embassy's website:

"The Ministry of Education is currently reviewing adoption agencies’ accreditation applications and has not announced a date by which they will complete their review. These applications for licenses/accreditation are also under review by four other Russian ministries: Ministry of Health, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sometimes during the review process, one of these ministries requests additional documents or clarification on some matters. Recently, for example, the Ministry of Justice returned applications to adoption agencies with a request for more information. According to the recently-adopted law on re-accreditation, the Ministry of Education can only issue a license for accreditation if they have approval from all four ministries. "

My agency reported a week ago that the requested paperwork they had been asked to provide had already been sent, AND that the the State Department also provided a letter to address the federal laws that protect foreign-born adopted children on behalf of all agencies seeking reaccredidation. The letter was supposedly delivered by “diplomatic note,” a formal government-to-government type of communication.

No more news, although we may get an update today. I'll post again if there is anything newsworthy...

[julianva]

At his poi8nt I am thinking that are trying to get all of the May 17th agencies accredited at once. So that way they will all come out together...Just a thought. I have no news. My social worker send me an email sort of flaming me for letting this consume too much of my time, thoughts, and energy.
Nice.
If I was in this for a month or so, I MAY understand, but a year and half, I think I have the right to email her once a week!

JG

[k8c]

My best guess--and it's only an educated guess--is September. I don't think, from casual conversations here, that accreditation will happen in May. And, if it doesn't happen in May, I'd guess that nothing is going to happen over the summer hols.

Again--it's just a feeling. I hope I'm WRONG!

[waiter]

I'm sorry to hear your agency kind of flamed you Julianva. As these delays drag on it seems like the agencies are having a hard time supporting their families/clients. You are not alone. With FRUA being down I think we are also feeling a little less connected- at least I know that is the case for me. The May holidays are coming up this next week so I suspect that things will continue to be quiet in Russia.

[verukasalt]

We have purposely slowed down our home study (only the first visit done) and all the paperwork gathering in anticipation this may be a long drawn out process over this year. I don't believe much of any of the date speculation since I was told Feb, than March, than April and now May. Obviously no one truly knows when it will happen. We haven't selected an agency and again, we're taking our time with the paperwork along with home study. I really don't want the 12 months to expire on the home study and have to put extra time and money into it because we're still waiting on all the govt issues. We know how quickly things happen when the govt is involved! It's very frustrating as we really hoped to have our son with us by the end of 2007 or early 2008. It's becoming less and less likely which is frustrating as we know there are plenty of baby boys who need us.

[schulie]

I think we can all agree that no one truly knows what is going to happen. I do agree with Kate, tho, that if nothing happens by May/June, we can probably expect formal accreditations to be delayed until September, after the summer holiday. Still hoping things will start moving now that the State department has submitted our government's "official response" to their latest request but no one can be sure. Know that prayers are with all of you who are waiting!