Accrediting Organization to Withdraw from Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Role

The Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity, Inc. (IAAME) has announced its decision to discontinue its role as a designated accrediting entity for intercountry adoption services. This significant move marks the culmination of IAAME’s responsibilities, which have been pivotal in overseeing adoption service providers (ASPs) across the United States since its inception in 2017. The timing of this transition is currently being coordinated between IAAME and the U.S. Department of State, which is in talks to establish a mutually agreeable date for the official conclusion of IAAME’s accrediting responsibilities and the transfer of these duties to the newly appointed Center for Excellence in Adoption Services (CEAS).

The Department of State has expressed its gratitude towards IAAME for its extensive contributions over the years, highlighting the organization’s role in accrediting and approving ASPs that facilitate intercountry adoption under various legislative frameworks, including the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000, and the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012. IAAME initially functioned as the sole accrediting entity with nationwide jurisdiction until CEAS was designated as a secondary accrediting body in 2022. Together, these two entities have collaborated to ensure compliance, monitoring, and oversight of adoption service providers.

It is important to note that this transition will not disrupt the process of intercountry adoption in the United States. IAAME will maintain its responsibilities until the effective transfer to CEAS is complete. Both IAAME and CEAS, alongside the Department of State, are dedicated to facilitating a seamless transition for adoption service providers and prospective adoptive families. They are actively engaged in discussions regarding the logistics of this changeover.

As the transition unfolds, the Department of State has committed to keeping the public informed, providing updates as plans are solidified. For further inquiries related to this announcement, stakeholders can reach out to the Department through the designated email: AdoptionOversight@state.gov. The future of intercountry adoption remains a priority, and both IAAME and CEAS are poised to uphold standards that protect the best interests of children, birth families, and adoptive families alike.