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Confused by the Adoption Tax Credit?
Adoption Tax Credit Working Group Publishes FAQ To Help With Your Adoption The Adoption Tax Credit, recently signed into law by President Obama is rather complex and can also be confusing. Given these complexities, the Adoption Tax Credit Working Group, … Continue reading
Russia May Lift Adoption Ban for Specific Adoption Cases
Uncertainty Continues for Children and Families Joint Council can confirm that the Government of Russia will honor the bilateral treaty signed by both countries during all of 2013. The Government of Russia has provided the U.S. Department of State notice … Continue reading
Watch: U.S. Ambassador Jacobs on Russian Adoption Ban
Christiane Amanpour interviews U.S. Ambassador Susan Jacobs, Special Advisor to the Secretary for Children’s Issues at the State Department, on the recent Russian ban on intercountry adoption to the U.S. To watch the interview click here.
Congress Passes Adoption Tax Credit!
On January 1st, the US House of Representatives passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act (full text) which includes a permanent extension of the adoption tax credit and was signed into law on the 2nd. As a more complete understanding of … Continue reading
Congress Passes Universal Accreditation
All Adoption Service Providers Required to be Hague Accredited For the past 5 years Joint Council has championed the concept of universal accreditation and have implemented a policy to that end for 2013 Joint Council Partners. We are therefore pleased … Continue reading
Adoption Alert: Russia
Please see the below alert from the Dept of State, Office of Children’s Issues regarding intercountry adoptions from Russia. Please note that it requests prospective adoptive parents adopting from Russia to send their information to the Dept of State. It … Continue reading
Potential Russian Ban of Intercountry Adoption to the United States
Russian Parliament Proposes Ban in Retaliation for the Magnitsky Act As of December 19, 2012, legislation was brought before the Russian Parliament to ban intercountry adoptions from the United States. This amendment to the Dima Yakovlev List was proposed as … Continue reading
CBS to air 14th Annual “A Home for the Holidays”
On Wednesday, December 19th, CBS will air the 14th annual “A Home for the Holidays.” This powerful special shares stories of foster care adoption and features performances from some of America’s top musical talent. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption … Continue reading
Department of State announces Agreement between U.S. and Russia regarding Cooperation in adoption of children will enter into force on November 1, 2012
Department of State (DOS) announced today that the Agreement between the United States of America and the Russian Federation Regarding Cooperation in Adoption of Children will enter into force on Nov. 1, 2012. Both U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) … Continue reading
Special Needs section added to OrphanNutrition.org!
Joint Council, along with our partners Mead Johnson Nutrition Foundation and SPOON Foundation, launched OrphanNutrition.org, a website serving as an international portal of resources for the global program A Child’s Best Start earlier this year. We have recently added a … Continue reading
Most Vulnerable Casualty of DC Tax Battle May Be Orphans, Foster Kids
Amid talk of the “fiscal cliff” and how much wealthier Americans should pay the government, not much attention has been paid to the most vulnerable class of tax code casualties: orphans and foster kids desperately hoping to be placed in … Continue reading
The National Action Plan on Children In Adversity
The National Action Plan on Children in Adversity (NAP) seeks to ensure that all children grow up within protective family care and free from violence, deprivation or danger. As supporters of the NAP, Joint Council, along with 92 other signees, called … Continue reading
Save the Adoption Tax Credit
Adoption Tax Credit Working Group- Save the Adoption Tax Credit Save The Adoption Tax Credit is one of the most urgent and important initiatives Joint Council will make in 2012. We are actively participating in a number of initiatives designed … Continue reading
Notice: Adoptions from South Africa to Begin With Approval of U.S. Adoption Service Providers
Notice: Adoptions from South Africa to Begin With Approval of U.S. Adoption Service Providers On June 6, 2012, the Department of State’s Special Advisor for Children’s Issues, Susan Jacobs, and U.S. Consulate General Johannesburg officials met with the South … Continue reading
Notice: Approval of the Agreement between the United States of America and the Russian Federation Regarding Cooperation in Adoption of Children
Notice: Approval of the Agreement between the United States of America and the Russian Federation Regarding Cooperation in Adoption of Children On July 10, 2012 the Russian Duma approved the bilateral adoption agreement signed by Secretary of State … Continue reading
Letter to President Obama Regarding Adoptee Deportation
Date June 13, 2012 Letter to President Obama Regarding Adoptee Deportation Two days ago Joint Council and several of its partner organizations signed a letter to President Barack Obama regarding the deportation of adult adoptee Kairi Shepherd. The letter begins as … Continue reading
Guatemala: President to speed up 350 US adoptions
From Politico: Guatemala’s president says he’s willing to speed up 350 adoptions by U.S. couples that were in process before his Central American nation suspended adoptions by foreigners in 2007 following allegations of fraud and baby theft. President Otto Perez … Continue reading
Adoption Notice: Romania
Adoption Notice: Romania New Adoption Law in Effect April 11, 2012 The Romanian Office for Adoptions announced that its new adoption law went into effect on April 7, 2012. The new law allows for intercountry adoptions of Romanian children by … Continue reading
Kazakhstan: USDOS Adoption Notice – Approval of New Hague Convention Adoption Process
From the US Department of State: April 5, 2012 The Ministry of Education and Science, the Central Authority of Kazakhstan, has confirmed that the governmental decree approving its new policies to process intercountry adoptions and accredit adoption agencies in Kazakhstan … Continue reading
Korean Ministry of Health & Welfare’s Special Act on Adoption to come into force August 2012
March 31, 2012 From the Korean Ministry of Health & Welfare: Subject: The careful deliberation before child adoption and family court permit system is being introduced. Adopted child will be given the status of foster child equal to biological child so … Continue reading
Adoption Alert: Government of Laos Announces Suspension of Intercountry Adoption
March 30, 2012 The Office of the Government of Laos announced on February 20, 2012, that the authorization to allow foreigners to adopt Lao children is suspended until appropriate regulations and procedures are established on intercountry adoption. Updated information will be … Continue reading
Bhutan: USDOS Adoption Alert – Notice on Suspension of all Intercountry Adoptions in Bhutan
March 26, 2012 From the US Department of State: March 23, 2012 Effective January 1, 2012, the Government of Bhutan temporarily suspended all intercountry adoptions pending approval of a new adoption law by the King. The adoption bill was drafted … Continue reading
Joint Council Position Openings!
Joint Council is pleased to announce three exciting position openings for the 2012 year! This is a great opportunity for individuals, college students, or graduate students to gain hands on experience in the field of children’s welfare. In the past, … Continue reading
Adoption Notice: Cambodia
The Office of Children’s Issues wishes to provide a further update for U.S. citizens interested in intercountry adoptions with Cambodia. The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation recently announced to all embassies with diplomatic and consular missions in … Continue reading
Russia: Putin Urges Limiting Foreign Adoption of Russian Kids
March 9, 2012 From RIA Novosti: The adoption of Russian children by foreign families should become a “rare exception,” prime minister and president-elect Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. “We should try to ensure that most [Russian] children find their families here … Continue reading
India: USDOS Adoption Notice – CARA Lifts Temporary Suspension of Acceptance of New Dossiers
March 9, 2012 From the US Department of State: March 7, 2012 This is an update to our notice dated October 5, 2011 announcing a temporary suspension on the acceptance of new intercountry adoption cases in India. CARA has informed … Continue reading
Adverse Action taken by Council on Accreditation towards Huminska’s Anioly, Inc.
March 8, 2012 From the US Department of State: On March 2, 2012, the Council on Accreditation (COA) made the decision to temporarily suspend Huminska’s Anioly, Inc. for failing to maintain substantial compliance with the Hague accreditation standards. Huminska’s Anioly, Inc. … Continue reading
Democratic Republic of Congo: USDOS Adoption Notice – Release of Adopted Children from Orphanages
March 8, 2012 From the US Department of State: Democratic Republic of Congo March 5, 2012 Notice: Release of Adopted Children from Orphanages Prospective adoptive parents considering adopting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) should be aware that … Continue reading
Senegal: USDOS Adoption Alert – Suspension of New Applications to Adopt
March 6, 2012 From the US Department of State: Senegal March 05, 2012 Alert: Suspension of New Applications to Adopt The Government of Senegal has announced that it is temporarily suspending all new intercountry adoptions while it focuses on implementing … Continue reading
Adoptees deported by US
March 6, 2012 From The Korea Times: Until 2001, when Korean children were sent to the U.S. for overseas adoption, it was their adoptive parents’ responsibility to naturalize them as U.S. citizens… Unlike European governments, the U.S. government did not … Continue reading
Russia: USDOS Adoption Notice – Regional Suspensions on Adoption Processing in Russia
March 5, 2012 From the US Department of State: March 01, 2012 The Department of State has received reports that local departments of education and some judges in Russia have instituted a de facto freeze on adoptions to the United … Continue reading
Adoption Organizations Support President’s Proposal to Extend the Adoption Tax Credit
February 29, 2012 Joint Council is pleased to announce that we have joined forces with a vast group of adoption organizations to support the President’s proposal to extend the Adoption Tax Credit. A Press Release regarding the letter is below. … Continue reading
Russia: USDOS Adoption Notice – Processing Time for Adoptions Increased
February 22, 2012 From the US Department of State: Russia February 21, 2012 Notice: Processing Time for Adoptions Increased On January 1, 2012, the Russian Family Code was amended so that presiding judges will announce decisions in cases, including … Continue reading
Reinstatement of U.S. Adoption Agency by IHNFA
February 22, 2012 The U.S. Embassy in Honduras informs citizens that the Instituto Hondureño de la Niñez y la Familia (IHNFA ) recently reinstated U.S. adoption agency Gladney Center for Adoption, per IHNFA’s resolution SG-009-2012. This message updates the prior … Continue reading
Malawi: USDOS Adoption Notice – Ongoing Nationwide Judicial Strike Closes Courts in Malawi
February 22, 2012 From the US Department of State: Malawi Feburary 08, 2012 Notice: Ongoing Nationwide Judicial Strike Closes Courts in Malawi Due to a nationwide judicial strike by certain judicial employees in Malawi, the court system halted all functions … Continue reading
Macedonia Sacks Suspected Adoption Racketeers
February 16, 2012 From Balkan Insight: Minister Spiro Ristovski has sacked the heads of welfare centres in the towns of Radovish and Krushevo, suspended 28 welfare ministry employees and has proposed the sackings of five others. Last November the ministry … Continue reading
“Senate Foreign Relations Committee Seeks Input From Adoptive Families”
It has come to our attention that there has been some confusion about the origin of the survey below. To clarify, the survey was created and circulated at the request of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. As stated in the … Continue reading
In The News – “The Wheat and the Weeds”
The following article about a little girl’s Guatemala900 international adoption recently appeared in Guatemala’s Prensa Libre newspaper…. Click here to see original article in the Prensa Libre. (Photo: Lesly Mariela Vasquez Guarcas) It is apparent that even the best … Continue reading
Ex-US diplomat testifies in Argentine baby thefts
February 8, 2012 From the Associated Press (via Google): A former U.S. diplomat testified Thursday that American officials knew Argentina’s military regime was taking babies from dead or jailed dissidents during its “dirty war” against leftists in the 1970s, and … Continue reading
Uruguay approves $513,000 settlement for disappearance, illegal adoption during dictatorship
February 8, 2012 From The Washington Post with Foreign Policy: Uruguay’s president has approved a $513,000 payment to Macarena Gelman, who was illegally adopted during the dictatorship after her mother was tortured and disappeared. The payment complies with an Inter-American … Continue reading
Canada: Agency closure puts prospective parents on hold
February 8, 2012 From CTV News Calgary: A Manitoba based adoption agency is shutting down and now several Alberta families are worried about the welfare of the children and the status of their adoptions. The Canadian Advocate for the Adoption … Continue reading
USCIS Unable to Resume Processing Adoptions from Vietnam
February 8, 2012 From USCIS: Released Feb. 2, 2011 Intercountry Adoptions Under the Hague Adoption Convention WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced it cannot approve a Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate … Continue reading
Vietnam Adoption Notice – U.S. Department of State to delay resuming adoptions in Vietnam
February 3, 2012 From the US Department of State: Vietnam February 2012 Notice: U.S. Department of State to delay resuming adoptions in Vietnam The United States has determined that it will not resume intercountry adoptions in Vietnam on February 1, … Continue reading
Honduras: US Embassy Message for U.S. Citizens – Barring of Two U.S. Adoption Agencies by IHNFA
February 3, 2012 From The US Embassy (Honduras): Message for U.S. Citizens – Barring of Two U.S. Adoption Agencies by IHNFA The U.S. Embassy in Honduras informs citizens that the Instituto Hondureño de la Niñez y la Familia (IHNFA ) … Continue reading
Nepal: USDOS Adoption Notice – U.S. Department of State Continues to Recommend Against Adopting from Nepal
January 20, 2012 From the US Department of State: Nepal January 19, 2012 Notice: U.S. Department of State Continues to Recommend Against Adopting from Nepal On August 6, 2010, the U. S. Department of State and United States Citizenship and … Continue reading
Kazakhstan: US DOS Adoption Notice – Kazakhstan New Family and Marriage Code Signed into Law
January 17, 2012 From the US Department of State: U.S. Mission Kazakhstan has reported that President Nazarbayev signed into law the new Family and Marriage Code on December 26, 2011. The Ministry of Education now awaits government approval of its … Continue reading
Kazakhstan: USDOS Adoption Alert – Update Ministry of Education plans to match families with pending adoption dossiers
January 17, 2012 From the US Department of State: According to the Government of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Education (MoE), all pending adoption dossiers that were not matched with children by December 15, 2010, will be returned and will have to … Continue reading
Ukraine: US Department of State Adoption Alert – SDA resumes processing adoptions in Ukraine
January 17, 2012 From the US Department of State: On July 14, 2011, the presidential order which extends the State Department on Adoption’s (SDA’s) authority to process adoptions was published in Ukraine. We have been informed by the SDA that … Continue reading
Families bring Vietnamese orphans home following three year fight
January 9, 2012 From Fox 59 (Indiana): A time of celebration, tears of joy, and indescribable emotion. Wednesday, two central Indiana families got their miracle, years in the making. Three years ago, three Indiana couples thought they were months away … Continue reading
Update: Processing Plan for CNA Cases
The Office of Children’s Issues provides updates to interested families and adoption service providers regarding Guatemalan intercountry adoptions. If you received this e-mail in error and do not wish to receive future updates please notify AskCI@state.gov using the subject line: … Continue reading
Democratic Republic of Congo – USDOS Adoption Notice: New contact information for its Adoption Unit
December 12, 2011 From US Department of State: Democratic Republic of Congo Notice: New contact information for its Adoption Unit The Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa would like to inform the public that it has new contact … Continue reading
Russia: Kremlin Knocks U.S. for ‘Silence’ on Adopted Child’s Death
December 6, 2011 From The Moscow Times: The United States “inexcusably” failed to inform Moscow about the death of a Russian-born toddler adopted by an American couple, a Kremlin official said Friday, highlighting tensions over an adoption accord that the two countries signed in July. Russia’s children’s rights commissioner … Continue reading
Exposing Corruption in International Adoption
December 1, 2011 From Philanthropy.com: Tiny Spark is new podcast on the business of doing good. The first installment takes a look at corruption in international adoption and how it has caused problems despite the generous impulses of many parents. … Continue reading
Sri Lanka: Investigation called to probe baby farm
December 1, 2011 From The Times Online: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been called in to investigate the suspected baby farm that was uncovered by the authorities at an orphanage at Rawattawatte in Moratuwa on Wednesday evening, a senior … Continue reading
US Department of State releases FY 2011 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption
November 22, 2011 Access the FY 2011 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption from the US Department of Statehere.
Ethiopia: US Department of State Adoption Notice – Procedure for Processing Adoption Cases
November 22, 2011 From the US Department of State: Ethiopia November 16, 2011 Notice: Procedure for Processing Adoption Cases This notice provides supplemental information to the adoption notice of October 7, 2011, adding additional details on the process applicable to orphan … Continue reading
Ethiopia: US Department of State Adoption Notice – Procedure for Processing Adoption Cases – November 16, 2011
November 22, 2011 From the US Department of State: Ethiopia November 16, 2011 Notice: Procedure for Processing Adoption Cases This notice provides supplemental information to the adoption notice of October 7, 2011, adding additional details on the process applicable to orphan … Continue reading
US Department of State gives definition of “not clearly approvable” I-600 petitions
November 22, 2011 From the US Department of State: “Not Clearly Approvable” Defined Consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates have limited, delegated authority from the United States Citizen and Immigration Service to approve Form I-600 petitions that are found to … Continue reading
Ethiopia: USCIS Update on Processing of “not clearly approvable” cases
November 22, 2011 From U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: From: Public Engagement <Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov> Dear Stakeholder: The USCIS team in Addis Ababa completed its site visit. We are pleased to report that the team was able to complete its review of all … Continue reading
Vietnam: US Department of State Adoption Notice – Vietnam ratifies the Hague Adoption Convention
November 15, 2011 From the US Department of State: Vietnam November 2011 Notice: Vietnam ratifies the Hague Adoption Convention The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption will enter into force in Vietnam on … Continue reading
Russia to sign child adoption deals with European countries
November 15, 2011 From RIA Novosti: Russia plans to sign bilateral agreements on child adoption with France, the U.K., Holland, Spain and Germany, the country’s ombudsman for children’s rights, Pavel Astakhov, said on Monday. “The agreement between Russia and France … Continue reading
Taiwan: Government expected to pass strict laws regarding adoption of children
November 15, 2011 From The China Post: The Legislature is expected to pass a law tomorrow to impose stricter regulations on child adoption, a newspaper reported yesterday. The proposed revisions to the child welfare law address concerns over buying and … Continue reading
Announcing Joint Council’s 4th Annual National Adoption Month Photo Contest
Our 4th annual National Adoption Month Photo Contest will be open for submissions November 1st- November 30, 2011. We are looking for beautiful, inspiring photos of all types of children- children in orphanages, foster homes, or adoptive families, engaged in … Continue reading
Abandoned in Guatemala: The Failure of Intercountry Adoption Practices
October 19, 2011 This month a documentary by reasontv has been released regarding the elimination of intercountry adoption in Guatemala. The video shows a side of the elimination not often discussed in the media. We encourage our colleagues and friends … Continue reading
Adoption Notice: Ethiopia Confirmation of Orphanage Closures in Ethiopia
October 17, 2011 Ethiopian government officials confirmed the closure of several orphanages in the Southern Nations state due to revocation of the orphanages’ operational licenses. Each orphanage in Ethiopia receives an operational license that the Charities and Societies Administration administers … Continue reading
Nigerian baby factory raided
October 17, 2011 From News24: Police in southern Nigeria have raided a purported orphanage where they found 17 pregnant girls, arresting the owner on suspicion of planning to sell their babies, a spokesperson said on Saturday. The owner and a … Continue reading
South Africa tightens rules for foreign adoptions
October 17, 2011 From 9 News: In the wake of Madonna’s adoptions in nearby Malawi, and a commercial surrogacy boom in India, South Africa is laying out stricter rules for foreigners looking to make families here.Last month a court in … Continue reading
Adoption Is Not a Solution for Poor Children
September 27, 2011 From The American Prospect: …Although UNICEF is often quoted as saying that there are 163 million orphans today, few people understand that the vast majority of those have lost only one parent—and most of the rest are … Continue reading
Nepal: Children for sale
September 27, 2011 From Al Jazeera: Orphaned, abandoned or trafficked? That is the question facing foreigners who wish to adopt Nepali children. International adoption services have provided a lucrative business to poverty-stricken Nepal. But in 2007, Nepal stopped adoptions for … Continue reading
Vietnam: Notice from the US Embassy in Vietnam
September 27, 2011 From The Embassy of the United States, Hanoi, Vietnam: General Information The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Adoptions between the United States and Vietnam expired on September 1, 2008. Intercountry adoption from Vietnam to the U.S. is … Continue reading
Joint Council and the Mead Johnson Nutrition Foundation Work Together to Help Vulnerable Children Worldwide
Alexandria, Va, September 20, 2011 – Recognizing that proper nutrition is critical to every child’s growth and development, The Joint Council on International Children’s Services and the Mead Johnson Nutrition Foundation today announced the launch of a program dedicated to … Continue reading
