Viet Nam Adoption Vietnam Adoption, Asia Adoption - Non-Licensed Adoption Agencies = Bad News!

09/10/07

Non-Licensed Adoption Agencies = Bad News!

Posted by : Rebecca in Viet Nam Adoption Blog at 07:55 am , 411 words, 180 views
Categories: News

There’s a part of me that feels badly for families who run into trouble after they agree to work with an agency who is not licensed to conduct adoptions in Viet Nam. That part of me is shrinking by the minute. Now, I am mostly angry. Angry that some Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) do not do their research, or (even worse,) they turn a blind eye and are swayed by promises of young babies, short wait times, and so on.

There is talk in the Viet Nam adoptive community about an adoption agency that has recently and abruptly shut its doors. Families that have received referrals are left hanging. Families in the early stages of the adoption process are left hanging. Families with their dossiers in Viet Nam are left hanging. Surprise, surprise – this agency WAS NOT LICENSED! It was working under the umbrella of a licensed agency, which in fact means nothing. Those families who had signed on with the unlicensed agency now have no one to protect them, no one to stand up for them, no one to advocate for them or their children. I am absolutely appalled that this is even an issue.

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According to the bilateral agreement on adoptions signed by the United States and Viet Nam, ONLY licensed adoption agencies are permitted to conduct adoptions in Viet Nam. Apparently this needs to be repeated, so here goes: you are only supposed to be working with licensed agencies!!! It is not legal, not safe and not responsible to be working with any agency that does not have their own license in hand.

As I said before, I used to feel quite badly for families left in the lurch when non licensed agencies closed or changed programs. But in today’s world of the internet, there is absolutely no reason for a PAP to not do their research. Any basic search on adopting from Viet Nam will result in a huge amount of articles and statements about adoption ethics and personal experiences with different agencies. PAPs who choose not to do any research or to ignore what they have learned are doing a huge disservice to those of us who wish to keep adoptions legal, ethical and secure.

For goodness' sake people, please only work with licensed agencies!

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More Reading:
Beware of Agency Umbrella-ing
Red Flags: What to Look Out For When Choosing an Adoption Agency
Current List of Licensed Adoption Agencies in Viet Nam

6 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Deb Donatti [Member]

· http://open.adoptionblogs.com

I see what you are saying, but lets face it people DO do their research, and they still get scammed every day.
Lets lay this blame were it belongs, in a faulty adoption system, and in unethical agencies.
I agree people should educate themselves, and choose carefully, but it still can happen. I do not take unneccesary risks when I drive, like speeding or breaking traffic rules, but I still can have an accident. Sometimes good people who make every effort are still misled and scammed.

Permalink 09/10/07 @ 08:03

Comment from: Sunbonnet Sue [Member]

It's very easy to mislead and manipulate young parents who are needy and emotionally desperate to become parents. They are scrimping and saving, waiting for what seems like forever.

Anything that requires more effort from adoptive parents is highly suspect to me. I did not feel this way when I entered the world of adoptive parenting. Our family was trusting and naive. We got burned badly. Now that our eyes are more open and aware, we see misleading, manipulative information EVERYWHERE. Many young, well intentioned social workers are being used in ways they are unaware of as well. There are big, big problems in the world of adoption. The very fact it is now referred to as an "industry" is a huge clue.

It seems to me the agencies have a tendency to exploit both the adoptive parents, as well as the parents placing their children for adoption. A terribly sad situation of buyer beware.

Sorry for the small rant. Please do not think it means you are wrong. You are very correct. Licensed agencies are truly the only way to do things. How many folks exploring the world of adoption truly comprehend the meaning of what a license even is? Or it's potention for impact on their lives? Our agency was certainly licensed, for all the bloody good it did us! The parents just know they wish to provide a home for a needy child, share their warm, loving family with someone who needs one.

Permalink 09/10/07 @ 08:15

Comment from: Sunbonnet Sue [Member]

that should read "potential" not potention. no, we're not type A around here at all......and I thought I was such a good proof-reader.........

Permalink 09/10/07 @ 09:19

Comment from: Rebecca [Member]

· http://vietnam.adoptionblogs.com

Deb and Sue, you are so right. I completely agree with you that good intentioned people get scammed and manipulated by agencies (licensed or not). I just don't understand why anyone would work with an agency that is not licensed when it is clearly spelled out by the Vietnamese-US agreement that Viet Nam is only allowing licensed agencies to work there. I just want people to protect themselves as much as possible.
thanks for posting!
Rebecca

Permalink 09/10/07 @ 09:43

Comment from: Lisa [Member]

· http://guatemala.adoptionblogs.com

I agree with you 100% Rebecca. No arguments.
Lisa S.

Permalink 09/10/07 @ 09:58

Comment from: littlerivermom [Member]

Deb, Sue and Rebecca:
I agree with you completely!!! There are some out there though that will do shady things just because they can. We were first going to go to China and our agency knew about the changes before the public knew and they still took our money. Two weeks after giving them money they told us about the changes that would disqualify us and they didn't give us one cent back.
I guess you learn from experience and you ask more questions than most after that happens to you. I have told everyone I have spoken to about adoption to make sure they go with someone who is lisenced.

Permalink 09/13/07 @ 15:10

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