Resources for Selecting An International Adoption Agency
By Allison Martin
Vietnam Adoption Agency Directory
List of adoption
agencies licensed in Vietnam, with information on their Vietnam adoption
program details, requirements and cost.
How to
Adopt
A large parent resource site with insightful articles on international adoption and selecting an agency.
Child Welfare Information Gateway : Adoption
This large federal government website includes professional factsheets and a database of agencies and services. Formerly
known as the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse (NAIC). Unfortunately the State Licensing Office
complaint files have been removed.
State Licensing Specialists
Child Welfare Information Gateway listing of licensing specialist for child welfare by state. Useful contacts for determing the licensing status of your prospective agency or facilitator.
Providing
Background Information to Adoptive Parents: A Bulletin for Professionals
This article explains why it is essential for parents to have correct and full information on the child they are adopting from their adoption agency, with an explanation of "wrongful adoption."
Joint Council on International
Children's Services (JCICS)
The JCICS is a professional affiliation of international adoption agencies who
subscribe to a Standards of Practice supposed to protect the rights of children,
birth parents, and adoptive parents. A useful website with occaisional papers on adoption ethics and Vietnam.
Council on Accreditation
for Children and Family Services
Accreditation body with emphasis on social work, human and health services founded
in 1977 as a joint effort of Family Service America (FSA) and the Child Welfare
League of America (CWLA). A number of organizations involved in adoption either
endorse or are accredited by the Council. Their website includes a complaint
form to fill out if you have a concern about a COA-accredited organization.
The
Adoption Agency Checklist
David's checklist provides suggestions and resources to help
you check out your adoption agency.
Choosing
an Adoption Service Provider
Ethica provides a lengthy discussion of factors to consider in choosing
an agency. Check out their
home page for other topical adoption ethic issues.
Better Business Bureau
Provides a listing by state of Better Business Bureaus to help you contact the BBS where your prospective adoption agency is located. Also provides links for filing a complaint.
National Association of Attorneys General
Includes a directory to each Attorney General and their state websites. Check for adoption agency or facilitator complaints or to lodge a complaint.
State's Attorney General's Office
Child Welfare Information Gateway also provides a listing of Attorney General Offices by state.
Choosing
an Adoption Agency
This article from Adoptive Families magazine's Adoption Guide tells you how
to become an educated consumer of adoption services.
Agency
Research
Ellen Fitzgerald provides a nice summary of the importance of careful selection
of your agency.
Back to: Vietnam Adoption
