International Family Services, Inc.’s Accreditation Suspended UPDATED

According to the USDOS announcement:

“July 3, 2014

On July 3, 2014, the Council on Accreditation (COA), the Department of State’s designated Accrediting Entity for adoption service providers under the Hague Adoption Convention (Convention) and Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000, suspended the accreditation of International Family Services, Inc. to provide adoption services in Convention adoption cases for failing to maintain substantial compliance with the accreditation standards at 22 Code of Federal Regulations Part 96 Subpart F. For more information regarding this suspension please refer to information on substantiated complaints and adverse actions on the Council on Accreditation’s website.

As a result of this suspension, International Family Services, Inc. must cease to provide all adoption services in connection with cases covered under the Convention. Please note that beginning July14, 2014, this suspension will also affect International Family Services, Inc.’s ability to provide adoption services in non-Convention countries in cases subject to the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act (UAA). This adoption service provider has provided adoption services in Bulgaria, China, Ethiopia, India, Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine. Persons with an open case with International Family Services, Inc. should contact the adoption service provider directly to find out how the suspension will affect their adoption services.

The suspension will begin on July 3, 2014, and will last for at least 30 days. In order for the suspension to be lifted at the end of the 30 days, International Family Services, Inc. must complete corrective action required by the accrediting entity. Updated information will be provided on the adoption.state.gov website.”

REFORM Puzzle Piece

 

Update: DOS issued a response on August 8. See it http://adoption.state.gov/about_us/council_on_accreditation_lifts_suspension_of_international_family_services_inc.php and is pasted below:

“Council on Accreditation Lifts Suspension of International Family Services, Inc.

August 8, 2014

The Council on Accreditation (COA) announced that, effective August 4, 2014, it lifted theJuly 3, 2014 suspension of the Hague accreditation of International Family Services, Inc.International Family Services, Inc. completed its corrective action plan to COA’s satisfaction and COA has determined that International Family Services, Inc. is now in substantial compliance with applicable U.S. accreditation standards. International Family Services, Inc. may resume providing adoption services for Hague Adoption Convention cases as of August 4, 2014.”