"Ethiopia has banned international adoptions in an effort to safeguard children from potential abuse.The East African country is one of the biggest sources for adoptions to the U.S., according to State Department figures. Adoptions from Ethiopia seem to have gained popularity over the years, with celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Mary-Louise Parker adopting from the country, the Associated Press reports. Since 1999, more than 15,000 Ethiopian children have been adopted in the U.S.But in 2...

Many of us have heard about this looming possibility for that last couple of years. Now it is becoming a reality as the House Ways & Means Committee have released their most recent GOP Tax Plan, which includes the complete elimination of the Adoption Tax Credit (ATC). The ATC, which has existed since 1996, assists families with the financial burden that in incurred through (mostly private) adoption, as foster care adoption is usually at no cost to the adopting family. The current f...

In Texas, Republicans have pushed the state closer and closer to a law that will allow for publicly-funded foster care and adoption agencies to refuse to place children with non-Christian, unmarried or gay prospective parents because of "so-called" religious objections.After the House already approved the bill, the Senate gave final approval early Monday morning. Now it goes to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for his consideration.The horribly named bill, "Freedom to Serve Childr...

Governors in both Alabama and Tennessee recently signed bills into law that legalize discrimination against hopeful adoptive families. These laws could not only allow discrimination toward certain families, but they could also jeopardize their ability to obtain state benefits."In Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law on Wednesday House Bill 24, which is titled the 'Child Placing Agency Inclusion Act,' but instead of encouraging child placement it would permit agencies to deny ...

"On April 21, an official from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women and Children (MOWA) informed U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa that it is suspending its processing of intercountry adoption cases, effective immediately. The U.S. Department of State does not yet know how long this suspension will last. The Office of Children’s Issues and the Embassy are working with MOWA to seek more information on the terms of the suspension. We will urge MOWA to complete processing of cases that were in prog...

"This week Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens issued an order giving most state workers paid time off after the birth or adoption of a child.'Paid parental leave will strengthen families and communities,' Greitens’ proclamation says. The order was rightly welcomed by state employees.""Still, the order reflects the growing understanding among politicians in both parties that family concerns must be taken into account by employers in the public and private sectors.Businesses ...

After a recent and disappointing move by South Dakota in enacting a "Religious Freedom" bill that allows for discrimination towards prospective adoptive families, Alabama made a move adding themselves to the growing list of states looking to enshrine discrimination into law.On Thursday (03/16/2017) the Alabama House passed a discriminatory bill that will allow state-funded-based adoption and foster-care agencies to ban families composed of same-sex couples, LGBT individuals, singl...

The Adoption Tax Credit (made permanent in the Tax Code in 2013) is a tremendous help to families that adopt children. While the Tax Credit is not refundable, it does offer some relief to many families that adopt children.Unfortunately, the Republicans in the House of Representatives are attempting to push forward a Tax Reform Blueprint, called "A Better Way", which calls for dramatic cuts to tax rates. It pays for these rate cuts, in part, by eliminating some credits and ded...

South Dakota officially joined three other states that have enacted laws to protect Adoption Agencies that discriminate against prospective adoptive families."Before signing the bill, Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard said he was concerned private child-placement agencies acting in the best interest of a child could be subject to a lawsuit when denying placement to someone in a 'protected class,' such as members of the LGBT community.""Libby Skarin, policy director of ACLU S...

In light of recent events with the current administration, it has become paramount that adoptive families of internationally born children make absolutely sure that they have all the correct documentation for their children. It is also a good idea for any internationally born child over the age of 18 to double check and make sure they are in possession of the correct paperwork that identifies them as being a US Citizen."Kira Lampton of Minot was born in Busan, South Korea, and was adopted b...