What You Need To Know About The Universal Accreditation Act

What You Need to Know about the Universal Accreditation Act of 2012

Home / Adoption News / What You Need to Know about the Universal Accreditation Act of 2012

April 28, 2014

by Nicole Skellenger, JD in Adoption News

What is the purpose of the Universal Accreditation Act of 2012?
The main purpose of the Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 (UAA) is to apply the same safeguards that are in place for Convention adoptions to non-Convention adoptions. The way the UAA furthers this purpose is two-fold. First, the UAA requires all Hague accredited or approved Adoption Service Providers (ASPs) to provide services in the same manner for non-Convention countries as they would for Convention counties. Second, all US parents looking to adopt internationally must use a Hague accredited or approved ASP.
When is the UAA effective?
The UAA enters into force this summer on July 14, 2014. Following this date, all UAA rules must be followed. However, you are not able to start the process now and expect that UAA will not impact your adoption. If parents have not filed their I600A, I600 or submitted their dossier to the child’s country by July 13, 2013, the UAA will likely apply.
Will the UAA impact prospective adoptive parents?
If you want to adopt from a Convention country like Mexico, Haiti or Bulgaria, the UAA may not impact you at all. If you wish to adopt from a non-Convention country, the UAA may impact you. If you wish to complete an independent international adoption, the UAA is very likely to impact you.
How will the UAA impact prospective adoptive parents?
In every international adoption, parents are now required to designate a “primary provider” in order for USCIS to grant the child an orphan visa to travel to the US. A “primary provider” is a Hague accredited or approved ASP who is responsible for ensuring certain adoption services are provided in a Hague-compliant manner. For families adopting from a Convention country, this was already a requirement, so the UAA is unlikely to impact your adoption.
For families adopting from a non-Convention country like Congo, Nicaragua, Samoa and Ukraine, the UAA will impact the agency that you select. You will need to select a Hague accredited or approved ASP to act as the primary provider. In the past, parents did not need to use an accredited or approved ASP. It was only required that the adoption agency was licensed by their state and followed the states rules.
If you wish to adopt internationally without the use of a Hague accredited or approved ASP, you will not be able to do so under the UAA. Parents now must designate a primary provider; such provider for all intents and purposes is responsible for the adoption. In all cases parents must have a home study and must select a primary provider. Parents may think that if they can complete a home study only with a Hague ASP they should be able to complete the remainder of the adoption independently under the UAA. However, there are significant responsibilities associated with being a primary provider above and beyond just completing the home study.
Due to the increased responsibility, it is unlikely that a Hague ASP will agree to complete the home study for a family without a designated primary provider. A Hague ASP would not want to be named the primary provider by default because they merely completed the home study without actually overseeing the case to ensure Hague compliance. The primary provider is required to ensure that the adoption is Hague compliant and would likely be responsible for the actions of any attorney or facilitator working on behalf of the parents in country. Due to the potential for increased responsibility for ASPs completing home study only services, many are not going to be able to assist families with home study or other services for an adoption without a designated primary provider.
This change is going to make it difficult for parents seeking to adopt a child from another country through a contact they have in the country without a Hague ASP. Further, it will be increasingly difficult to adopt children from countries without established adoption programs. There are many times parents are looking to adopt a relative or known child from a country without a history of adoption that may now be inhibited from doing so.
Are there still unknowns related to the UAA?
Yes! There are still many unknown related to the UAA. The Department of State recently updated their FAQ page regarding the UAA, but there is so much more left to know. There are many concerns for ASPs in interpreting the Hague regulations that now apply to non-Convention countries because the regulations were not originally written for this purpose. The requirements may specifically mention “Convention country” or may reference the country’s “Central Authority,” which is the singular entity in charge of adoptions. Non-Convention countries may not have a designated central authority, rendering the requirements very difficult to apply.
Prospective adoptive parents have also expressed concerns and questions. If you have questions about how the UAA may impact your adoption that are not answered here, you may submit questions directly to the Department of State for them to address in an upcoming training in several weeks. An invitation for submitting questions can be found here. All inquiries are due April 30.
You can request more information about adopting internationally by clicking here.

- See more at: http://www.mljadoptions.com/blog/faqs-uaa-20140428#sthash.PBQqhR5T.dpuf

Six Precautions to Take When Traveling with Cash

Home   /   MLJ Adoptions   /   Six Precautions to Take When Traveling with Cash

April 24, 2014

by Caitlin Snyder in MLJ Adoptions

While traveling internationally to complete your adoption, carrying cash is often a necessity. Credit cards, while an everyday convenience here in the United States, are not always practical when traveling to third-world countries. We recommend our families carry cash both in American dollars and local currency. Here are some tips for traveling internationally with cash.

1. Invest in a money belt. Purses, wallets and fanny packs all attract the attention of potential thieves. While wallets may be most convenient, and can be used to carry some small amounts of money, carrying cash close to your person, under clothes where it is difficult to access is the safest option. Money belts can be a variety of materials, but if you’re planning on wearing it while flying, we suggest a cloth or plastic version to prevent you from having to take it off while going through airport security. Some companies make money carriers that can be worn around the neck, which may be more convenient.
2. When traveling, do not put cash in a checked bag. Unfortunately, airlines can lose baggage or even worse, your baggage may be searched through for a variety of reasons, giving someone an opportunity to take advantage of you. Cash is safest on your body in the form of a money belt, but can also be put in your carry-on bag, just be sure to keep your carry-on bag at your side, and keep careful watch over it when going through security.
3. If you are not traveling by yourself, divide cash between traveling companions. (This lessens the risk on just one person.)
4. Be discreet. In addition to wearing a money belt, it makes sense to carry the cash you think you’re going to need for the day in a more easily accessible place so each time you need to use cash you don’t have to get into the money belt and expose how much cash you’re carrying.
5. Request new, crisp bills. When you withdraw money from your local bank, make sure to request new bills. When paying with American dollars internationally, vendors can be picky about the condition of the money, and may even refuse to take bills that are not crisp enough. This is not usually a hardship for the bank as long as you ask in advance if necessary.
6. Limit credit card usage. Not only is it dangerous to carry credit cards when traveling because of the risk of having your wallet stolen, but local vendors who accept credit cards may not use precautions in safeguarding against identity theft. If you do choose to travel with credit cards, give all the information to a trusted individual at home. In the case that your card gets stolen, you can contact them quickly and they can make the necessary phone calls to cancel the credit card(s).

Follow these six precautions when traveling with large amounts of cash to stay safe!
For more information about international adoption, click here.
Photo Credit: TaxCredits.net

- See more at: http://www.mljadoptions.com/blog/take-precautions-traveling-cash-20140424#sthash.WT6NyjNL.dpuf

Perspective of an Older Child on Adoption

Adopting an Older Child Provides a Brighter Future

Home   /   MLJ Adoptions   /   Adopting an Older Child Provides a Brighter Future

April 22, 2014 by Jordan Kelly in MLJ Adoptions

Anastasia, who now goes by Annie, was adopted at age nine by her forever family. At age nine, there was very little hope that she would be adopted and she most likely would have faced a grim future. Now 16, she is a sophomore in high school, just passed her driver’s test,  and has grown up to be a beautiful young woman! Annie was gracious enough to answer some questions for us to share with you.
How did you feel being adopted by an American family? “I was kind of scared because I was told that the American’s would cut out my body parts and sell them… I didn’t know what to think. But I was mostly scared because I didn’t know the couple that were going to be my parents very well.”
What was the hardest adjustment for you after arriving home? “Besides reading and spelling, knowing I had to obey my parents and follow their rules instead of my own. Also, adjusting to the place where I was sleeping.”
What do you wish people knew about older children who are still waiting for their forever family? “That their future is most likely gone if they are never adopted. It is very hard to find a job after you get out of the orphanage, for there are few opportunities. Many girls who age out of the orphanage will turn to prostitution or other illegal activities. Many of the boys will turn to drugs and other crimes and find themselves in prison.”
What is your favorite holiday or family tradition? “My favorite holidays are Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our Christmas traditions include putting up the Christmas decorations during Thanksgiving weekend, watching “Elf” and “Christmas Vacation” and singing holiday songs! Especially singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas” over and over until I drive my parents insane!”
What do you want to be when you grow up? “A child psychologist, because I think I can understand some of the pain and suffering many children experienced, and I believe that I can help them through their situations.”
Do you have any special memories with your family that you would like to share? “My special memories are spending New Year’s Eve with my family and friends, especially my friends that came over to the United States with me because they were adopted, too!”
*Annie often gets together to spend time with other children that were adopted from the same orphanage as her, including Katelyn and Payton who are pictured in the photo to the right.  Annie and many other once-orphans have remained friends with the children they grew up with and find comfort in the support of their friendships.  You can read more about Katelyn and Payton’s stories here.
It is often the older child who is left behind, as many adoptive families hope to adopt a young, healthy infant – but these older children want and need a family to love them, too. The love and care that a permanent home provides these children allows them to grow and thrive, giving them hope for a better future rather than a life a violence and crime. Learn more about adopting an older child here.
Photos used with permission.

- See more at: http://www.mljadoptions.com/blog/older-child-the-adoptee-perspective-part-2-20140422#sthash.BbgE7Ros.dpuf

Adopting a Child is a Lifelong Commitment

April 21, 2014

by Michele Jackson, JD in MLJ Adoptions

I have assisted in processing hundreds of international adoptions.  Since I am a practicing attorney, I have also assisted in situations in which adoptive parents decide they can no longer parent the child they adopted. These are often called adoption dissolutions or disruptions. While some of these situations arise because adoptive parents aren’t adequately prepared or equipped to parent a child from a hard place, it is important for adoptive parents to realize that an adopted child is not a purchase or acquisition that can be “returned”.  Adopting a child is a lifelong commitment to raising a child no matter the child’s needs.
In rare instances, parents may find that they are not prepared or they are not the best option for the child. In this case, the parents must provide support to the child until the child is in a better placement.  In no way do I promote adoption dissolution or disruption, but I have found that a second adoptive family can be the better placement for the child. Not necessarily because they know more about the child’s behavior or needs, but because they are committed to working through the child’s additional needs. It is most common to see adoption disruptions/dissolutions with children that were adopted through the foster care system and then children that were adopted internationally. It is important for parents to be prepared through adoption education to understand what factors may have and likely will impact their child. It is also important for parents to understand the unknowns and risks of adoption.
According to the law, adoption is the complete termination of the biological parents’ rights which are then transferred to the adoptive parents. The adoptive parents receive all rights and obligations between a parent and a child just as if the child was biologically born to the parents. However, there may be a disconnect with some parents as they see international adoption as a way to the child of their dreams. I have seen requests for a child that is perfect in health, has a specific appearance, behavior, or personality. When what the parents wanted does not seem to match “what they got”, they decide they cannot parent the child and choose to disrupt. While it would seem cruel, neglectful or abusive for someone to “give back” their biological child when that child failed to meet the parents’ expectations, whether due to health issues, cognitive concerns, or behavior resulting from trauma; in some ways our society has accepted the right to “give back” an adopted child. I often think of my own family and the struggles that we face with biological children and the unknowns associated with biological children. In particular, my brother is raising two autistic sons and lost another son to Lymphoma. I doubt he ever considered it appropriate to find another placement for his children when these challenges arose.  While these challenges were not what he expected, and they certainly affected the lives of his other children, he is fully committed to meeting the needs of each child.
Facing these types of challenges, it is critical to a child’s well-being that they be supported by a parent that is committed no matter what the future brings.  While this could include many doctor visits, counseling sessions or even residential care, parental commitment is not negotiable. Children need a parent that loves unconditionally and parents for the child not for themselves.   Parents at the beginning of their adoption journey should consider whether they are willing to parent the child no matter the child’s health, gender, age, appearance or behavior.  Are they willing to adopt a child with ADHD, Autism or Lymphoma?   They should ask themselves whether they would treat an adopted child differently than a biological child.  If the answer is yes, then possibly adoption is not the right choice for them.
Adoption can be an amazing journey for adoptive parents and children alike.  But it requires full commitment.
For more information about international adoptions, click here.

- See more at: http://www.mljadoptions.com/blog/parents-must-committed-international-adoption-20140421#sthash.XYMthEAM.dpuf

So proud of my Ukrainian daughters, as well as the biological one who wrote the story!

Adoptive Siblings Discuss Older Child Adoption

Home   /   Special Needs   /   Adoptive Siblings Discuss Older Child Adoption

April 8, 2014

by Jordan Kelly in Special Needs

With three siblings that were adopted as older children, I witness every day the many blessings that come from having these children in my family. To me, adding a new brother or sister to the family was always exciting regardless of their age – it was one more person to create memories and share traditions with. I spoke to two of my adopted sisters to get their perspective as an older child adoptee. I’m excited to be able to share their feelings with others, and perhaps remold the prospective adoptive parent perception on older children.

KATELYN

Katelyn was adopted as an older child sibling group from Ukraine. She was 7 at the time she arrived home, and is now 14.
How did you feel being adopted by an American family? “I felt like I would no longer have to worry about not being loved. I knew my new family already loved me before I came home.”
What was the hardest adjustment for you in your new home? “Learning the new language, and also getting used to following different rules than I was used to.”
What do you wish people knew about older children who are still waiting for their forever families? “They don’t have much time left. They want to be adopted just as much, actually MORE, than the younger children who aren’t aware of their current situation. I wish more people would be open to adopting older children like me.”
What is your favorite holiday or tradition? “Christmas! We have a tradition where we paint ornaments every year. I also love when the whole family comes together and sets up the tree.”
Do you have any special memories you would like to share? “All of the times that we go somewhere and the whole family comes along – those are most special to me.”

PAYTON

Payton was adopted from Ukraine along with her biological sister Katelyn. She was 6 years old at the time she came home and is now 13.
How did you feel being adopted by an American family? “I felt happy! I was excited and I knew I belonged there.”
What was the hardest adjustment for you in your new home? “Getting used to a new place to live is hard. But I loved getting to know my new family.”
What do you wish people knew about older children who are still waiting for their forever families? “What people should know is that older kids are just as fun, and exciting as babies can be. They have already developed their personalities so it is fun to get to know them and their quirks. Also, I believe everyone deserves a loving home.”
Do you have any special memories you would like to share? “The whole family has all been to Florida a couple times on vacation and it was really fun. Now that a new little nephew has been added to the family, I’m excited he can be a part of the memories too!”
Learn more about MLJ Adoptions Special Needs Program here. You may also request more information on international adoption here. Photos used with permission.

- See more at: http://www.mljadoptions.com/blog/interview-with-sibling-group-adopted-as-older-children-20140408#sthash.w6dtDXLW.dpuf

Could Bulgaria be an option for families wanting older children?

Bulgaria Referrals: Above and Beyond Expectations

Home   /   Bulgaria   /   Bulgaria Referrals: Above and Beyond Expectations

April 14, 2014

by Jordan Kelly in Bulgaria

There are many great benefits for families who choose to adopt from Bulgaria.  One of the benefits we have found that is most appealing to prospective adoptive families is the detailed child referral.  Many sending countries, especially those overwhelmed by poverty, do not have the ability to provide parents with detailed information on a referred child.  A lack of resources can mean that children do not receive birth certificates at the time of their birth, and when children are abandoned it can make learning of the child’s past extremely difficult.  The entities involved with adoption in Bulgaria, however, are able to provide prospective adoptive parents with detailed referrals.  The information given in these referrals bring benefits for both the children and parents.
What is generally expected from a referral in Bulgaria?
The bare minimum we expect to receive for a referral consists of a picture of the child/children, a medical history and a social history.  Everything is documented on the medical history from the time custody of the child is given to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).  This may or may not include any tests, hospitalizations, illnesses, known allergies, etc.  If any medical information is known about the biological parents, it is documented in the child’s referral as well.  A social history outlines why the child is in the custody of MOJ and describes the child’s eligibility for adoption.  It also includes how well the child is doing in school, their emotional and behavioral development, and some personality traits or characteristics.
What has been happening above and beyond a typical referral?
We have been getting additional pictures and even some adorable videos from our in-country staff of the referred children.  The photos and videos are taken from many angles to show the children walking, talking, playing, and interacting with others.  Our partnering agency in Bulgaria has also been taking time to answer any additional questions parents may have and address any concerns about the child.  We are fortunate to work with such a great organization that cares as deeply about these children as we do and appreciate their willingness to assist our clients!
What benefits do these things provide for both the family and children?
The video and additional photos have given families more confidence in their decision to move forward and encourage them to finish strong with the rest of the adoption process.  After the families see the child’s personality come alive on camera, it is hard for them not to fall in love with their referred child!  Seeing their potential child interact on camera gives them hope and makes the adoption feel more tangible, allowing them to connect more with the child before actually meeting them.
There are many great benefits for adopting from Bulgaria, and the detailed referral is just one of them!  Here are 10 more reasons to adopt from Bulgaria!
You can request more information about adopting from Bulgaria by clicking here.

- See more at: http://www.mljadoptions.com/blog/bulgaria-referrals-beyond-expectations-20140414#sthash.NmCZY509.dpuf

Summer Hosting Opportunities in North Carolina, California and Indiana!

Summer Hosting Program Offers Benefits to Children and Families

Home   /   MLJ Adoptions   /   Summer Hosting Program Offers Benefits to Children and Families

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Apr

April 10, 2014

by Laurel Boylan

in MLJ Adoptions

The mission of MLJ Adoptions is to serve children in need. We are committed to working collaboratively with organizations that share this purpose. Below, Laurel Boylan, a founder of God’s Waiting Children, highlights an opportunity for families to host children from Ukraine this summer.
Is hosting an orphan in your home this summer right for you? Why would you want to sponsor a child to come to the United States for a month, only to put him or her back on a plane to the orphanage? How could you say “good-bye”? Can the child be adopted? All good questions!
God’s Waiting Children, Inc. is a charity organization that specializes in orphan ministries. Twice a year, we bring children from Ukraine orphanages to the United States to stay with host families, similar to a foreign exchange student program. This summer we plan to bring groups of children, between the ages of six and sixteen, to California, Indiana, and North Carolina.
The children enjoy visiting America, practicing English, riding a bike or scooter and have fun going places they’d only dreamed about! But, host families are rewarded by watching the child’s personality blossom as they experience the love and security of a family and home for the first time. The child will feel special. She will experience family dinners around the table or a picnic in the park. He will learn what life is like in a private home where each family member has responsibilities and privileges. He or she will go home knowing a family in the United States cares about them.
Orphanage directors routinely tell us that a hosting trip changes the kids’ personalities for the better. Shy children return home with more confidence. Behavior-challenged children return home more obedient and respectful. Children who were previously afraid to show emotion come home more empathetic to others, caring and hopeful. Why is this so? Children living in institutions have been raised to feel like “one of the pack” or “non-existent”. Once these same kids are shown individual love and attention, they are changed forever.
But, what about the poor host family who falls in love with a child and then has to say “good-bye”? I like to equate this situation to summer camp when I was a child. I LOVED going to summer camp but I always cried when we had to leave. I hated saying good-bye to the new friends I had met. But when the next year rolled around again I would beg to go back again. The skills I learned and memories I made outweighed the sadness of leaving. I was a better person for having gone to camp. The exact same thing is true for host families and kids. When the children return to Ukraine, host families are encouraged to stay in touch via phone calls or Skype, and to send occasional cards, photos and gifts.
Host families do not have to have intentions of adopting a child. In fact, if a family knows for certain they want to adopt from Ukraine, we often recommend they save the money to host and go straight to adoption. Hosting is more for families who want to help an orphan and to make a difference in a child’s life. Hosting is also good for families who are contemplating adoption but not sure how their family will react to having another child around. If the host family decides to pursue an adoption in Ukraine, the family may request to adopt the child they hosted. God’s Waiting Children has a trusting partnership with MLJ Adoptions, who will handle any adoptions that come from hosting a child.
The children speak primarily Russian and Ukrainian languages, but will likely know some English. Surprisingly, communication during a hosting experience is usually not a problem. The children are very intelligent and learn quickly. There will also be translators available by phone 24 hours per day.
Host families pay the all expenses and travel costs for the child or children they host. The actual cost varies from trip to trip but is always a tax deductible expense through God’s Waiting Children. Each family will be asked to complete a state level background check, federal sex offender check, and child abuse clearance. For more information on specific costs, dates, and other details please contact us.

- See more at: http://www.mljadoptions.com/blog/hosting-provides-opportunity-children-gain-confidence-20140410#sthash.kLwAKSoX.dpuf

Advocating for orphans around the world...because every child deserves a family!

CHIFF Brings Conservatives and Liberals Together: Children Belong in Families

Home   /   MLJ Adoptions   /   CHIFF Brings Conservatives and Liberals Together: Children Belong in Families

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April 4, 2014

by Liane Steffes, JD

in MLJ Adoptions

This past Wednesday afternoon, the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) hosted a webinar to discuss the reforms proposed by the Children in Families First (CHIFF) Act. Present on the call were Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Congressman Trent Franks (R- AZ), leaders within a bipartisan coalition that is unified by the belief that children need families.
CHIFF is a holistic and preventative approach to international child welfare that ensures systems are in place to help children remain in their family of birth, be reunited with family, or be adopted locally or internationally. CHIFF, supported by a bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress and child welfare organizations, redirects current U.S. government resources that are not being utilized to their full potential towards strengthening, uniting, and creating families, realigns foreign aid with American familial values, and supports intercountry adoption as a protection for children.
CHIFF would establish a bureau in the U.S. Department of State, the Bureau of Vulnerable Children & Family Security, to become the foreign policy and diplomatic hub on international child welfare. This Bureau would be tasked with building international capacity to implement effective child welfare systems, with particular focus on family preservation and reunification, and kinship, domestic, and intercountry adoption. CHIFF would also streamline, simplify and consolidate responsibility for the processing of all intercountry adoption cases and the accreditation of adoption service providers by placing these functions under the direction of the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Senator Landrieu introduced CHIFF into the Senate on September 19, 2013, and Congressman Franks is a cosponsor of CHIFF. Both Senator Landrieu and Congressman Franks emphasized that the guiding tenant of CHIFF is that American law ought to be reflective of the simple human truth that children need families. Currently, across the globe, millions of children are growing up in institutions, outside of the support and security of families. Recent scientific research has indicated that the conditions of growing up in an institution can lead to developmental damage in children. On the call, Senator Landrieu passionately spoke to the plight of the orphan, stating orphans are powerless, voiceless, and lost:

 “If somebody in this world doesn’t stand up in an effective way and advocate for [the orphan], there’s no hope.” 

Senator Landrieu has stated she is brokenhearted that seemingly, at every level, local, state, federal, the basic fact that children need families is pushed aside. She described CHIFF as identifying the “North Star” for children without families; it promotes the ideal that children belong in families, whether that is through relatives, neighbors, domestic adoption or international adoption. CHIFF would make this “North Star” the foreign policy and law of the U.S.
She noted that both liberals and conservatives have come to the conclusion, at least as it relates to the U.S. Department of State, that the U.S. is not organized or resourced correctly to help the children in the world in need of families. Senator Landrieu believes the U.S. must “lead the view when it comes to advocating on behalf of children.” Senator Landrieu stated that though the U.S. is doing a decent job of making sure that children outside of families can survive, the U.S. is not doing a good job getting children in need into families where they can thrive, commenting that while the government may do some things well, it does not raise children well.
Congressman Franks laughingly responded to Senator Landrieu that it was the first time he had ever listened to a Democratic Senator speak and was in agreement with everything said. Congressman Franks stated that CHIFF is an international child welfare bill focused on getting a growing number of children growing up outside of families into a family and that it is not an international adoption bill; though he commented that, in some cases, international adoption may the only option for children. Senator Landrieu added to the point, explaining that some children have no hope in their own countries of domestic adoption, particularly children with special needs.
Congressman Franks explained the U.S. government is spending hundreds of millions on government programs to help vulnerable children. However, he feels that by failing to put family first we fall short of the goal.

According to Congressman Franks, the best way to keep children safe from child trafficking, healthy, and in school, is through families “who will love them more than any government program.” 

Congressman Franks stated that CHIFF uses our resources wisely by making family-based care for orphans a priority for funding that is already being spent on vulnerable children. Said Congressman Franks, if CHIFF is signed into law, it will catalyze a realignment of the world where family will be “sewn into human DNA.”
Senator Mary Landrieu expressed disappointment that CHIFF, a bipartisan bill that reflects the American societal belief that children belong in families, does not have 400 cosponsors. We at MLJ Adoptions have been reaching out to our Senators and U.S. Representatives asking them to cosponsor CHIFF. We encourage you to also reach out to your Members of Congress and ask that they do the same. Please visit our Advocacy Page to find out how you can make a difference for children in need.
To learn more about how you can advocate on behalf of CHIFF, please visit our Advocacy page here.

- See more at: http://www.mljadoptions.com/blog/chiff-brings-conservatives-liberals-together-children-belong-families-20140404#sthash.wsCx6u8z.dpuf