Independent Adoption Center (IAC) Closes UPDATED

“For John and Emma Enneking, a long road to adoption came to an end with an email.

The Ennekings and many others were using the Independent Adoption Center to help make their family complete. On Tuesday, and without warning to its clients, the agency closed its doors.

In an email sent to clients, the IAC said that due to a changing adoption climate, “We have come to the end of a rope and are declaring bankruptcy. The IAC has worked tirelessly to adapt to this changing environment, but the many efforts we implemented were ultimately unsuccessful.”

“So to have this news come to us especially in the form that it came was just–there are not many words for it. It’s heartbreaking for all of us,” said John.

Adoption law attorney Steve Kirsh says the worst part about this situation is that the IAC is essentially leaving its clients with nothing. Some of them have been in the process of adopting for years, and are now being forced to start over. Adoption is an expensive process, so most couples are now out of thousands of dollars.

“How hard would it have been to say, ‘Hey, I’m sorry we can’t give you your money back, we don’t have it, we can’t give you a baby because we don’t have a business plan that works, but we are going to give you your file, just tell us where to send it.’” said Kirsh.

As for the Ennekings, the couple says they will continue on their adoption journey elsewhere, though currently it’s unclear how. The couple says they know of other families who are now abandoning their adoptions dreams due to this setback.

“Now we just feel like, OK it’s not that easy for us to just pick up and start over right now because there is no easy route there’s no clear path for us,” said Emma.

Experts say it’s unlikely any of the families will ever see any of the money they put into the adoption agency, which for some can equal tens of thousands of dollars. Kirsh says the closing of the IAC means every couple will literally be forced to start the process from scratch somewhere else.

“I’ve been practicing adoption law for 35 years and have never seen it happen like this” he said.

A copy of the letter from the Independent Adoption Center can be read here. ”

Many families out thousands of dollars after Independent Adoption Center closes[FOX 59 2/1/17 by Nick Mc Gill]

IAC client memo:

“All Clients of the Independent Adoption Center From: Marcia Hodges, Interim Executive Director Greg Kuhl, Board President

It is with deep sadness that we write to inform you that the Independent Adoption Center (IAC) is declaring Chapter 7 bankruptcy and will be closing permanently effective immediately. This was an extremely difficult decision to make, but after much discussion, we have come to the conclusion that immediate closure is our only option. As you may be aware, the climate of adoption has changed in recent years. Societal changes have created an environment in the United States where there are fewer potential birth parents than at any other point in our 34-year history of helping to create families. Simultaneously, due to changing demographics and the closure of international adoption programs, there are more hopeful adoptive parents seeking to adopt domestically than in any other time in recent history. The IAC has worked tirelessly to adapt to this changing environment, but the many efforts we implemented were ultimately unsuccessful. We therefore cannot sustain the agency any longer. We recognize that the decision to pursue adoption is deeply personal and that you chose to pursue adoption with the assistance of the IAC after careful consideration. We remain honored that you trusted us to assist you in building your family, and we regret that the IAC was not able to maintain solvency in this new era of adoption. The agency is filing for bankruptcy and the court will appoint a trustee to administer the bankruptcy estate. The court will notify you of the case, shortly after the bankruptcy is filed and you will have the opportunity to file a Proof of Claim for any refunds you believe are due to you. As everything will be under control of the trustee and the court, IAC will not be involved with determining how any remaining funds in the account are utilized. A resource you may choose to contact is the Licensing office in your state.”

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:”The sudden closure of an adoption agency has left prospective parents in the dark and out thousands of dollars they had hoped to use to bring a new child into their homes.

Spencer Collins and Geoffrey Borys said becoming parents is a dream they’ve always shared.

“Kids was like a first date conversation just because we knew that we both wanted a family,” Collins said.

The couple said they invested more than $15,000 with Independent Adoption Agency before it filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.

Now some who formerly worked for the agency said they’re coming together to help.

Jennifer Bliss was a clinical director and told Eyewitness News she partnered up with helpusadopt.org to raise money.

“These are people that want nothing more than to be parents. To have the rug pulled out from under them is devastating,” she said.

Bliss is organizing a fundraiser and set up the website supportadoption.org to sell tickets and accept any donations. Grants will be awarded on a needs basis through an organization that is a national adoption grant foundation, Bliss said.

Former counselor Alexandra Desmond is getting involved, too. She believed in IAC’s mission for open adoptions. She was once a birth mother who placed her daughter, Claire, up for adoption and then decided to work for the agency.

“IAC gave me the life that I have now. It gave my daughter a family, gave me a second chance at life. So I think that’s why it’s emotional for me,” she said.

While Collins and Bliss have started the adoption process again, they hope those who need the financial support can do the same.”

Prospective LA parents lose money, left in dark as adoption agency goes bankrupt

[ABC7 5/5/17 by Ana Munoz]