Join Us Today & Tomorrow! Advocacy “ALL CALL” Day
On August 8, 2017, the U.S. Department of State announced the designation of Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity, Inc., (IAAME) as an accrediting entity for adoption agencies. The only other accrediting entity Counsel on Accreditation (COA) has since announced they will no longer be an accrediting entity. IAAME is a newly formed 501(c)(3) organization created for the sole purpose of the accreditation, approval, monitoring, and oversight of adoption service providers providing intercountry adoption services.
How & Why this Impacts You
On February 1, 2018, the State Department’s Office of Children’s Issues announced that IAAME will be charging ALL FAMILIES a fee of $500 (per child) at the point of signing agreements to start the international adoption process. This fee will go into effect on February 15, 2018. This means, if our agency received & approved your application, and received your signed agreements by close of business on February 14, you will then NOT be required to pay this new additional fee in order to move forward with an adoption. While our agency continues to work in collaboration with other agencies to advocate on behalf of families regarding this new fee, please be prepared for this new fee to go into effect on February 15th.
What to Do Next
1. We are urging families who are ready, apply now. You can find that application at the following link: https://www.awaa.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/apply/default.aspx. You will also need to sign your Agreements and pay the initial program fee before the deadline, so it is more than just completing the application.
2. The National Council for Adoption (NCFA) has organized an Advocacy “ALL CALL” Day today, Wednesday, February 7, 2018, as a day for each of us to contact our representatives in Congress to inform them and educate them on this new fee that will make it more difficult for families who are called to adopt.
Use this CALL TIP SHEET from NCFA!
3. Pray. As long as orphans need families, America World will be here to assist families and care for orphans. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to do so. We need your support in advocating for orphans and vulnerable children. Contact us to join us in support adoption efforts and orphan care initiatives!