Russian Adoptions: Guidelines for Selecting your Adoption Agency

With Russian adoption once again open there are now opportunities for families to research the adoption agency of their choice.

Remember agencies differ in their contracts, fees and flexibility in selecting your child. So feel free to speak with your agency about the meaning of certain statements.

The following guidelines are provided to assist you select the adoption agency which meets you needs and to insure, as much as possible, that your child is physically healthy and has the ability to reach normal developmental milestones.

What to Look for in Choosing an Agency

Russia is not a Hague country. This implies Russia does not adhere to policies of transparency in adoptions. Be certain your agency and their programs adhere to ethical practices and policies which forbid child abduction, exploitation, sale and the trafficking of children.

How many children has the agency placed from Russia during the course of their Russian program? Ask if you can speak with some of the parents regarding the process and their experiences.

Within the age range you wish to adopt how many children required Early Intervention Services? Were any of these children on the autism spectrum? These questions will inform you what types of services children may need including speech, occupational and/or physical therapy. The frequencies of these services can range from once to three times weekly and from a few months to a year depending on the developmental lag. Having this knowledge alerts prospective parents to the need for scheduling these appointments without infringing on their work day.

Does the agency provide videos, pictures, medical reports and reports of developmental development? Does the agency provide professional assessment of the child or supply you with a listing of international pediatricians who can evaluate your youngster?

Review your agency's record of business with the Attorney General of Your State. Select an Adoption Agency/Home Study agency in your state which is licensed/authorized to conduct Adoption Home Studies and post placement reports. Likewise be certain your social worker possesses the appropriate credentials to perform your Adoption Home Study.

Roberta Kalmar, LMSW, is the Director of Social Work for an authorized New York State adoption agency. She possesses 30 years experience in the field of adoption and has conducted adoption home studies for the United States, Africa, Eastern Europe, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Russia and the Caribbean . She has visited orphanages in Ethiopia, Guatemala, Vietnam and Cambodia and has accompanied adoptive parents to Ethiopia and Guatemala to receive their daughters. Her publications appear on the web.