[wish2bamom]

Hi-

My husband and I are just beginning the process of adoption, and are starting to research agencies. I checked the book
"The Russian Adoption Handbook" and were beginning to get excited about hopefully adopting a child, but it seems that so much has changed since that book was written as far as accrediation of agencies. Correct me if I'm wrong.

My question to all of you knowledgable ladies and gents is, what exact accreditation should I be looking for an adoption agency to have?

I found this list by the US Embassy, is this current and comprehensive?
Adoption Agencies

Also, would you recommend that the agencies be accredited by the Council on Accredidation, or JCICS?


Is there such a thing as an agency accredited by all three, meaning the Russian Federation, the COA, and JCICS? One last thing, is there any other accrediting agency I'm missing?

Thank you for any help/info you could give, or point me in the right direction. I want to make sure we're starting off on the right foot.

[sak9645]

JCICS does not accredit agencies.

JCICS is a membership organization, and its members do commit to following certain standards of practice, but this is not any sort of independent accreditation.

Personally, I would ALWAYS choose a JCICS member agency, simply because this organization does a great job of educating its members about country issues and good adoption practices, and because it is the primary voice for ethical intercountry adoption in the U.S. However, there is no requirement to choose a JCICS member agency, and even if you choose one, you should get a lot of references and be sure that it meets the requirements of your country of choice.

COA is one of a couple of organizations that are approved by the U.S. State Department to accredit agencies that work with Americans seeking to adopt from countries that have ratified the Hague Convention on intercountry adoption. It can also do general accreditations, simply to help agencies maintain high practice standards.

Since Russia has not ratified the Hague, you are not required to work with a COA accredited agency. You may choose to do so, simply because a COA accredited agency is likely to follow ethical adoption practices. It is always a good idea, of course, to get some references, because just because an agency is ethical and honest does not mean that it is right for you or provides the sort of client service that you want.

The accreditation that is being discussed on these Russia forums is actually accreditation by the Russian government. This is the accreditation that matters most, when it comes to adopting from Russia. Do not even CONSIDER working with an agency that lacks Russian accreditation.

Yes, there are almost certainly agencies that belong to JCICS, are COA-accredited, and have accreditation by the Russian government. If you wish, you can certainly choose one. But Russian accreditation is the main accreditation that should concern you.

Sharon

[dah1234]

Hi,

We are currently in the process of Russian adoption and have used the following site to make sure that we register with an accredited agency. Here is the link that would be helpful since Russia will not accept any agencies that are not on their list. Adoptions

After researching the agencies we have narrowed ours down to one agency and also found our homestudy agency so you can say that we are finally on our way for the initial process. (took us many weeks of research)

Hope this helps and if you have any questions or need more info, you can email me...I would be glad to help.

[cindyc]

Yes, lots of stuff has changed since that book was written. Heck, even in the last few months or weeks, things have changed. There was info on the FRUA site today about increased medical examinations of the kids before getting visas to enter the US.

In a nutshell, the process has become much more expensive, and much more paperwork is required. Also, it appears that most people are having to go to 3 trips or spend several weeks on trip 2.

The accreditation you need to look for is acceditation by the Russian Federation.

Good luck,
Cindyc

[wish2bamom]

Thank you sak, dah, and cindy for all of your helpful info! It was a great help! Glad to have all of this info @ the beginning, before its too late and I've already spent a lot of money on an agency that's not accredited.

[erickk]

One thing I would also do is contact the agencies and have a frank and honest discussion with any of the ones you are considering to make sure they have not been blacklisted as a result of late post-placement (also call post-adoption) reports. We were told by our post-placement social worker and the agency we used to complete our adoption that some accredited agencies have been blacklisted. One of the ones listed on the link you provided is an agency that has been blacklisted. It sounds like a very frustrating situation because Russia is not letting them know which reports were late. Russia is really tightening things up so I would not be hesitant to be very open and honest with an agency about their current standing. They may be accredited but may also be blacklisted.

[kathteach]

So if your agency has NOT been accredited, then an adoption is not possible? How can they advertise then and charge families? I am confused.

[cindyc]

You've asked just the right question, kathteach! I would insist on a real honest answer from agencies you are considering.

They may be "umbrelled" under another agency, but you deserve to know that.

[wish2bamom]

Is there a list of blacklisted agencies? When did this blacklisting happen, or is it an ongoing thing?

[amanda_p]

For our second adoption we used an agency that umbrella'd under another. We saw no difference between our 1st and 2nd adoption.

[JustBarbara]

Also remember accreditation is for a finite amount of time - the agency I was using had to get accreditation every 12 months (not sure if that was/ is the norm) ... they assured me by the time I was paper ready they would be reaccredited. It did not happen - after waiting for 8 months and not seeing any progress I switched countries. Four months later I was referred DS from Guatemala and ... within days the same agency got back their accreditation in Russia. And yes, agencies do get blacklisted for not completing post-placement reports which is why I get really, really mad when APs decide that since their child is home they don't need to help with the post-placement info ie pictures, general updates of their adopted children. It only hurts those coming after them, with the same dream of adopting a child.

[sak9645]

Technically, Russia does not allow umbrella-ing. The whole purpose of accreditation is to vet the agency actually doing the adoption. Even though some adoptions HAVE occurred through agencies that umbrella under accredited agencies, I would be very, very cautious. Also, why get involved with two agencies, when working with the accredited agency directly can be less confusing, less costly, and so on?

While the blacklist is based on an erroneous belief that an agency can actually force a family to complete its post-placement reports, the fact is that Russia holds this belief. As a result, it has been banning agencies with incomplete post-placement reports. You should definitely look at the list of banned agencies, to see the current situation, since some "good" agencies have been banned.

Sharon

[randjashworth]

how do i find the list of agencies "black listed" ??? we're switching agencies and having a hard time deciding. thanks.

[k8c]

Originally Posted by JustBarbara

Also remember accreditation is for a finite amount of time -

That is no longer true.

The old "accreditation" system has changed. Now, agencies have a "Russian Permit for Adoption Activity" that does *not* expire.

Here is a link to the blacklisted homestudy agencies. I think it is current. But, it never hurts to ask!

In many cases your hs agency will be different from your placing agency.

I hope this helps!