INVITATION To Licensed Agencies or Organizations Seeking License for Accreditation - Conference Call Regarding Universal Accreditation

INVITATION: COA explains how agencies can still become accredited by July 14, 2014, on two conference calls:  July 23^rd and 26^th, 2013. 

The topic of these conference calls is the Department’s July 17, 2013 announcement that if agencies meet certain application deadlines, COA plans to make a good faith effort to assist them in completing the ac­creditation process ahead of the July 14, 2014 deadline.

Background on universal accreditation:  On July 14, 2014, a new law goes into effect requiring all agencies and persons providing adoption services in Hague Convention and Orphan cases to be accredited, approved, super­vised or exempted under the Hague accreditation regulations.  The U.S. Department of State designated the Council on Accreditation (COA) as the entity responsible for accrediting/approving adoption service providers in intercountry adoption. 

The U.S. Department of State invites all adoption service providers that have not yet applied for accreditation or approval to participate in the conference calls. 

COA’s Jayne Schmidt, Hague Accreditation Program Manager, will explain the process of applying for accreditation or approval and will take questions.

Details of the Conference Calls
Date:  Tuesday, July 23^rd
Time:  11 a.m., EST

Date:  Friday, July 26
Time: 11 a.m., EST

Dial in information                                           
1-888-363-4749  (in USA)
1-215-446-3662  (outside USA)
Passcode:  6276702#

For more information about the UAA, see the Department of State’s notice of January 15, 2014, The Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 becomes law and our FAQs on universal accreditation. 

Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act

Dear Colleague:

I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season.

I am pleased to inform you that on Monday President Obama signed the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act (UAA), which applies the Hague Accreditation and Approval requirements to all agencies and persons providing “adoptions services” in cases where a child immigrates to or emigrates from the United States for purposes of adoption.

As you may know, COA is recognized by the U.S. Department of State to accredit agencies and approve persons under the requirements of the Intercountry Adoption Act. As such, if your organization is currently Hague Accredited through COA or Colorado you have already established the necessary policies, procedures and processes to comply with the mandate. You will now, however, need to implement those practices with all your international adoptions, regardless of the country of origin.

In addition, private organizations in the United States that provide intercountry adoption services and are currently accredited under COA’s 8th Edition Standards will also need to comply with the Hague Accreditation/Approval requirements.

In accordance with the UAA and 22 CFR Part 96.12, effective July 14, 2014, an agency or person may not offer, provide, or facilitate the provision of any adoption service in the United States in connection with an international adoption unless it is:

1. An accredited agency or an approved person;
2. A supervised provider; or
3. An exempted provider.

If you would like definitions of the above mentioned terms, please access our glossary.

Please note that the UAA includes a transition provision for certain cases that are in process of pursuing Hague Accreditation and Approval prior to July 14, 2013.

To learn more about Hague Accreditation and to receive additional information, please contact Zoë Hutchinson, Associate Director of Client Relations, by email at zhutchinson@coanet.org or by phone at 866.262.8088, extension 242. If you are currently Hague Accredited, please feel to contact Jayne Schmidt, Senior Manager of Hague Accreditation, by email at haguesupport@coanet.org if you have any questions.

If you are interested in learning about the U.S. Department of State’s information regarding intercountry adoption, please visit:

• US Department of State's website
• US Department of State's Accreditation Information
• US Department of State's Agency Information on Accreditation including Technical Guidance on the Standards

For information regarding the Hague Accreditation/Approval process, please visit the following links on COA’s website:

• To learn about the Hague Accreditation/Approval Requirements and Process
• To search for Hague Accredited/Approved organizations and programs
• To learn about the costs of accreditation
• To review the Hague Standards
• A Guide to COA's Hague Accreditation Process and Tools for Hague Accreditation

COA is proud to assist in ensuring that all intercountry adoptions in the United States remain safe for children and their biologic families abroad and prospective adoptive families here.

Best,

Richard Klarberg
President & CEO

Hopscotch Adoptions Announces our Hague Accreditation Renewal by the Council on Accreditation

I am extremely pleased to share, the Council on Accreditation (COA) has granted Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc.’s renewal application for Hague Accreditation. Hopscotch is licensed in North Carolina and authorized in the state of New York.  If you are in need of home study or post adoption service in either state, we would welcome the opportunity to provide these services.

Download the COA Letter (PDF)