Adoption Notice: Universal Accreditation Act (UAA)

May 12, 2014

Universal Accreditation Act (UAA):  The Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues and the Department of Homeland Security’s US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will hold UAA Update and Training Sessions for Adoption Service Providers (ASPs) on May 20^th at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time and for Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) on May 22nd, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

As announced in our notice of April 11, 2014, the Department and USCIS will provide UAA Update and Training sessions in anticipation of the UAA’s effective date of July 14^th of this year.  Separate UAA Update and Training dates have been set aside for ASPs (May 20^th at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time) and PAPs (May 22^nd at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time).  The Council on Accreditation, the national accrediting entity, will also participate in the training to discuss the impact of the UAA on accreditation/approval and what to do if things go wrong with supervised or other providers assisting the primary provider in an intercountry adoption case. 

 

Topics for the UAA Update and Training include: 

• Grandfathering under the UAA;
• Home study requirements;
• UAA and the accreditation regulations;
• What to do when things go wrong with domestic and foreign supervised providers;
• Independent adoptions;
• Primary provider rules;
• What to do if part of the case occurred before the effective date and part after;
• How to work in countries that do not permit U.S. accredited agencies to provide services there; and
• Some country specific guidance. 

We have drawn heavily on the questions submitted by both ASPs and PAPs for these meetings and will invite submission of additional questions during the Update and Training as time permits.   

 

How to Join the Sessions: 

Session for Adoption Service Providers:

Tuesday, May 20, 2014, 2:00 -3:30 p.m., Eastern Time

Dial-in information:  1-888-363-4749, Access code:  6276702#

 

Session for Prospective Adoptive Parents:

Thursday, May 22, 2014, 3:30 -5:00 p.m., Eastern Time

Dial-in information:  1-888-363-4749, Access code:  6276702#

Please join us for these UAA Update and Training Sessions. 

No RSVP required.

Universal Accreditation Act Info: Important Information for Independent Adoption or Facilitator Supported Adoptions in Non-Hague Convention Countries

This set of FAQs addresses changes to intercountry adoption law and practice brought about by the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 (UAA). The President signed the UAA into law on January 14, 2013. The new law takes effect 18 months thereafter on July 14, 2014.

Read more.

Ghana Adoption Alert

The Dept of State, Office of Children’s Issues has issued the following alert regarding adoptions from Ghana. Issued May 13, 2013.

The Government of Ghana has temporarily suspended processing of all adoption cases, including intercountry adoptions, pending Ghana’s review of its current adoption procedures. The U.S. Embassy in Accra is seeking further clarification of the scope and duration of this temporary suspension by the Government of Ghana and how this suspension may effect pending adoptions.  The U.S. Embassy will continue processing adoption cases already approved by Ghanaian authorities.  The Department of State will continue providing updated information on adoption.state.gov as it becomes available.  If you have any questions about this notice, please contact the Office of Children’s Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States.  Email inquiries may be directed to AdoptionUSCA@state.gov.

Hopscotch is suspending acceptance of *new* applications until further directed by the Department of State.  All cases with court decrees issued at the time of the alert will continue to be processed by the US Embassy in Accra. 

Hopscotch supports the temporary suspension, which allows the Ghanaian government to reorganize their adoption processes, ensuring all children are receiving protection and ethical services.  Hopscotch continues to advocate for ethical and legal adoption procedures and practices. 

In advance preparation of Universal Accreditation Act, set to be implemented in July 2014, non-Hague Convention countries' are demonstrating a serious commitment to child protection and working only with US licensed and Hague accredited adoption service providers.