Alert: Adverse Action taken by Council on Accreditation towards Saint Mary’s International Adoption
On September 2, 2011, the Council on Accreditation made the decision to temporarily suspend Saint Mary’s International Adoption for failing to maintain substantial compliance with the Hague accreditation standards. Saint Mary’s International Adoption is a Hague accredited adoption service provider; however, they are authorized to operate in both Hague and non-Hague countries. This agency operates in Bulgaria, Poland, and Ukraine. During this suspension, Saint Mary’s International Adoption must cease to provide all adoption services in connection with cases covered under the Hague Convention. If you have an open case with this agency, please contact the adoption service provider directly to find out how this will affect your case. This suspension does not prohibit the adoption service provider from providing adoption services in connection with cases involving non-Hague countries.
The suspension will begin on September 2, 2011 and conclude when the accrediting entity has determined that the adoption service provider has completed the corrective action. Updated information will be provided on the adoption.state.gov website.
http://adoption.state.gov/about_us/saint_marys_adoption_agency.php
Edited 9/9/11 by PEAR: St Mary’s International has filed suit in federal court for review of COA’s decision to temporarily suspend the agency. The suit was reported on Justia.com: http://dockets.justia.com/docket/north-carolina/ncwdce/3:2011cv00433/64334/ and a media report may be found here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/09/09/2591088/adoption-agency-sues-to-stay-open.html
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