Folks,

A quick post to say YES, the rumor you are hearing is true. A new batch of adoption agencies will be getting their accreditation from the Ministry of Education on Friday, December 21.

There is nothing on the MoE's database yet, but I have confirmed this news with six American agencies so far today. I have calls out to two dozen more, and another dozen or so more calls to make.

How many more agencies could be involved? Maybe another 10, but according to one agency representative I spoke with today, they may not all be from the United States.

Marshall Williams, the vice president of international adoptions and family services at Gladney Center for Adoption, broke the news in yesterday's edition of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He said that his agency would be getting its license and, according to the story, that 16 agencies in all were going to be re-accredited. Mr. Williams has not yet returned a call for comment, but here is what I have confirmed:

Children's Hope International
Christian World Adoption
Creative Adoptions Inc.
Gladney Center for Adoption
Maine Adoption Placement Service (MAPS)
World Association For Children & Parents (WACAP)

Some of the agencies have already posted the good news on their Web site; the others are, perhaps understandably, waiting for their Moscow reps to get that golden document from the MoE on Friday.

"Words cannot adequately explain what I am feeling right now," said a tired, but happy sounding Philippa Street, executive director of Creative Adoptions Inc.. "It's a wonderful way to end the year and we hope for the very best in 2008."

I will hopefully finish my confirmation calls tomorrow morning. But if you've heard from an agency other than the six I noted above, please e-mail me at virginiac@adoptionblogs.com .

In the meantime, let's have a big round of applause for these six, and the children and families they serve!

Image credit: rmontiel85 at Morguefile.com