The U.S. Department of State (DOS) released a new schedule of non-refundable accreditation fees to be shouldered by agencies and, ultimately, prospective families.
Adoption Cost and Timing in 2016-2017
Each year, Adoptive Families polls newly formed families across the country to get actual information on the cost and length of time it took them to complete their adoptions. See the results of the most recent 2016-2017 Adoption Cost & Timing Survey.
News Brief: Ethiopia Passes Law Banning Intercountry Adoption
Following a suspension of intercountry adoption in April 2017, Ethiopia passed formal legislation banning intercountry adoption in January 2018.
News Brief: Council on Accreditations (COA) Officially Withdraws as Accrediting Entity
The Council on Accreditations (COA) confirmed that it will withdraw as an accrediting entity at the end of 2018.
News Briefs: Rwanda Reopens, Ethiopia Processing Only Pending Adoptions
Read the latest about the Ethiopia adoption suspension and Rwanda’s intercountry adoption program reopening.
Adoption Tax Credit Now Preserved in the Tax Reform Proposal
After the House Republicans’ November 2, 2017 tax reform proposal threatened to eliminate the Adoption Tax Credit, it has been reinstated by Committee. Learn about this vital credit and steps to enhance its benefits for children and families.
News Brief: Council on Accreditations (COA) May Stop Accrediting Adoption Agencies
The Council on Accreditations (COA), which provides Hague accreditation for international adoption agencies in the U.S., may cease duties as an accrediting entity.
News Briefs: Intercountry Adoption Updates, October 2017
Read the latest about the Ethiopia adoption suspension and a recent reversal in international adoption statistics.
News Brief: American Express Ranked #1 Adoption-Friendly Workplace in 2017
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption released its eleventh annual 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list, recognizing companies that offer adoption benefits.
News Brief: ACLU Sues Michigan for Allowing Discrimination Against LGBT Prospective Parents
The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the state of Michigan for allowing state-funded adoption agencies to turn away qualified LGBT prospective parents.
News Brief: China Announces Changes to Its International Adoption Requirements
In July 2017, China announced updated requirements regarding the composition of the prospective adoptive family and the timing of applications.
News Brief: Ethiopia Adoption Suspension Still in Effect
Learn the latest on the Ethiopia suspension of intercountry adoptions.
News Brief: Texas Likely to Pass “Religious Refusal” Bill
Texas’s Senate passed a bill that would allow publicly funded foster and adoption agencies to refuse to place children in homes that don’t align with an agency’s religious beliefs.
News Brief: Alabama Is the Latest State to Pass Discriminatory Adoption Law
Several states have passed or are considering laws that would allow adoption agencies to deny services to LGBT individuals and couples.
News Brief: Ethiopia Suspends Adoptions
In late April 2017, Ethiopia announced an immediate suspension of international adoptions.
News Brief: Documenting Citizenship for Adopted Children
In response to an increase in inquiries about the citizenship status for international adoptees, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released an adoption notice about obtaining or documenting citizenship.
News Brief: Financial and Social Pressure and Lack of Support Factor Into Expectant Mothers’ Decisions
Expectant mothers who chose adoption most commonly cited financial pressure, social stigma, and a lack of support before and after placement in interviews with the Donaldson Adoption Institute.
News Brief: Domestic Adoptions Rise Slightly, Despite Overall Decrease in Adoption
Adoption: By the Numbers, the latest report from the National Council For Adoption, shows a slight increase in U.S. infant adoptions from 2007 to 2014.
State Adoption Law Updates, February 2017
State adoption laws are always in flux. Read on to learn what changes have been made or are being considered as 2017 began.
News Brief: New Jersey Unseals Adoption Records
A New Jersey law signed in 2014 went into effect on January 1, 2017, and adoptees in that state may now access their original birth certificates and other adoption records.