[southerncaligirl79]

Hello Everyone

I am a little nervous with the whole reaccrediation. My husband and I are almost done with our Dossier, but I can't help wonder what is going on in Russia. Anyone have any information. I see that a lot of people are still traveling and getting referrals.

Thanks

[amyfk]

Hi SouthCalGirl,

I feel for you! I wish I had answers for you. I wonder if the adoption agencies that deal with Russia know themselves what's going on. I feel so badly thinking of all the children languishing in the Russian orphanages who could have been in homes by now.
I hope you (and the rest of the adoption community) learn the answers soon.
Amy K, NJ

[julianva]

Hello All,
I am posting this on a couple of boards and hope that this little accreditation problem can be solved if we ban together!!
I am begging you to write your Senators and Congressman and share your frustrations about the lag on Reaccreditations. A friend reminded me about this and I though it couldn't hurt.
Its so easy to send them an email.
Just google us senators and then work your way through it.
Even if you are finished, please help those that are stuck!
Mainly help the little ones who are stuck!
Grass Roots can help, and I am not hearing good news about it happening in May! So I am begging you
Please take a few quick minutes!!
Thanks,
Julianne

[miakajade]

I wrote my state senators...below is what I sent...it only takes 5 minutes. Feel free to copy mine or change it (I'm sure you can come up with something better), but I know a lot of you are also hoping this reaccreditation mess clears up soon too...so go bug some people!!! It can't hurt...

Re: Adoption

It is critical that all do what is necessary to speed up the reaccreditation of U.S. adoption agencies in Russia. There are a lot of displaced children in orphanages that would flourish by having a loving, stable family take them into their lives and homes.

In all the bureacracy, let's not forget about the children in need behind all the paperwork.

Thanks,
miakajade

[beckyww]

Ummm....you know. I wonder how the U.S. gov't would respond to prodding by Russian officials about matters of our country?

Reality is - it's their country. They're in charge.

And I 100% agree - kids caught in the middle is a heart-breaking tragedy.

Becky
The Woodworth Family in Beautiful San Antonio TX

[myelijah]

I totally agree with Becky. I do not feel this is a good idea to be "pushy" with Russia. Believe me...I know as well as as anyone that these children need to come home. Our son's brother we are trying to adopt will be eight years old in August. He is very sick with an incurable disease and is more than likely not getting the medical care he needs. But I just honestly feel we need to pray and let God deal with this situation. It will do no one any good to make the Russian officials mad at us. It might make "us" feel better to push but in the long run I feel it will cause much damage. Just my thoughts on the matter. Let's all agree in prayer that this matter is settled very soon. I really feel in my spirit that good news is coming soon!

[SingleMama2B]

I too wish I had the answers to the reaccrediation mess. I don't know about writing to Senators or Congress-people, but it is soley up to Russia and their policy makers (Duma and Upper Parliment). Hopefully the powers-that-be, and the American Agencies have all the paperwork required in, and spotless records.

Again, Hopefully the doors will open to children and families waiting very, very soon! Bless the Children!

[Amysue1112]

If I was still in process desperate to get my kiddo home, i would also want to do ANYTHING that might help. But like others said, be very careful..even though it seems "it couldn't hurt" I wouldn't be completely sure of that.

We went through quite a mess in Russia..we lost the baby we came to meet THE DAY we were to meet her...we stood in court and found that our release letter had been recalled back to Moscow and may or may not be released d/t our agency losing accreditation 2 WEEKS LATER. We were very freaked out and very angry...but one thing we learned through dealing with the Russian people is that they do NOT like to be strong-armed..and they do NOT like the suggestion that "they could be doing more..or doing things better". They are very proud people and believe they are just as smart as we are (and they are..). From what I saw, they take it rather personally (and negatively) if they are questioned about their intentions or decisions.

Like I said I COMPLETELY understand the desperation you must feel..we waited between trips, only weeks from our agency losing re-accreditation (and our region does NOT do independent adoptions). So basically, if we DID NOT get our final court date May 25, 2006, we would STILL be waiting to bring our daughter home. I know it is incredibly frustrating....and terribly painful. I would check with your agency, if THEY think that writing letters to your congressman would help, then I would do it. Remember, it is in your agency's best interest to get this matter handled..they will be able to tell you if this could help, or hurt.

Good luck to you all..I am so soo sorry for your suffering.

[julianva]

I never said to be pushy. Congressman sit on committees that deal directly with Russia. They can and do communicate with their counterparts in other countries alot. A word here, a word there, and Maybe, just maybe someone can at least give some information. None of the agencies can predict beyond today!
AND Russia does get involved with our politics...(missile defense systems in Europe currently)
Whether you feel comfortable asking someone for help, is on you. For those who are desperate to complete our families,,,We will ask for help.
There are diplomatic ways to do things, and I am quite certain that the Committee Chairs, and subcomittee chairs, know how to try and get answers without ruffling too many feathers.!

[waiter]

To the OP- I think the answer to your question is that we all are wondering what is going on in Russia. I think that it really depends on what agency you are with and what region you are in. There seems to be a lot of variable experiences in Russia right now which makes it hard to understand. Remember that some agencies have not been accredited for almost a year now, while others it has only been a month... Things also change there over time. What a region did 6 months ago can and has changed in some instances. IMO your agency should be your best resource as to what you can expect in your situation, but remember that agencies are businesses and they are also looking out for themselves. Ask to talk to other people in process further a long than you to see their experiences. If you have specific information about where you are going you could also post that and see if others here or on other boards have any experiences to share with you. Good luck

[miakajade]

I didn't realize people would take me so strongly...that was not my intention. I am quite shocked though that some folks felt that a few e-mails would have that much sway over our elected officials. I truly doubt that this would spur our officials into being "pushy" with the Russian government. I don't think adoption is on the forefront of many politician's minds right now unless they are trying to adopt personally. I wonder how many of them are even aware of the issue? I agree whole-heartedly that they are a sovereign nation and have every right to do what they will. As Julianne said though, a word here a word there may plant a seed of compassion for the children.

I just wish there was more frequent communication regarding the status of the reaccreditation process...that's all.

[SingleMama2B]

Originally Posted by waiter

To the OP- I think the answer to your question is that we all are wondering what is going on in Russia. I think that it really depends on what agency you are with and what region you are in. There seems to be a lot of variable experiences in Russia right now which makes it hard to understand. Remember that some agencies have not been accredited for almost a year now, while others it has only been a month... Things also change there over time. What a region did 6 months ago can and has changed in some instances. IMO your agency should be your best resource as to what you can expect in your situation, but remember that agencies are businesses and they are also looking out for themselves. Ask to talk to other people in process further a long than you to see their experiences. If you have specific information about where you are going you could also post that and see if others here or on other boards have any experiences to share with you. Good luck

Hi "Waiter".... As far as the differences in when an agency's accrediation ended, was due to when they received their last accrediation. The agency that I used 2004/2005 was always in the 'first' batch to receive accrediation, and had been doing business in Russia since the 90's. Their accrediation ran out the beginning of the year.

If talking to others that went before through the process, this is something that has not happened before (where ALL agency(s) are at a stand still), I believe that some independent adoptions (sincerely do not know how, but they are) are getting completed. I keep intouch with my old agency (as I made some friends there, and have some acquaintances using them now), and they are in the "Wait for Russia to notify them". They have submitted ALL that Russia has requested, and have already been NGO approved. So, I truly believe that when an agency says they do not know when... I beleive they are telling the truth. They too are being held up, and my agency does think of all the children waiting for their parents.

Hopefully, Russia will figure out the answers to whatever questions to the policies they need to, so that reaccrediation can start.

Blessings.................

[waiter]

singlemama- The only reason I mentioned the difference in expiration dates of agencies was as a possible explanation as to why some people were still receiving referrals and traveling while others were unable. That was part of the OP comment. As to the talking to others I was referring to other people currently in the program further along at the agency the OP is at. I think they should be able to help answer some of her questions regarding the specifics for her agency or her region.

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Hi Southerncaligirl--

Have you already chosen an agency? My guess is as good as anyone's for when these accreditations will start to come through...but my advice to anyone just starting would be to ask potential agencies if they are able to process any adoptions independently while they are waiting for reaccreditation. And not just processessing dossiers that were registered before accreditation expired, but brand new dossiers. There are definitely a handful of agencies and regions that are making this happen. But still, getting accreditations would enable this process to go a lot quicker and help children faster.

Monday and today were holidays in Russia, so hopefully tomorrow the government can return full speed to processing those accreditations!!!

[Amysue1112]

One of the most difficult parts to understand is that you can have 2 families, with the same agency, in the same region...and relatively in the same place in the process, and the process can be COMPLETELY different. Some slow, some fast, some successful and some...maybe not so much. I think anyone starting in this process has to realize this. It is crazy and confusing and often makes no sense whatsoever.

I wish things were better for you guys still in process...we thought we were in the worst of times with the 8 month re-accreditation delay with our agency. I can't believe this is happening again, and on an even bigger scale.

I really do hope this misery for you waiters (and kiddos) ends soon and you can bring your children home ASAP!