The sensational stories surrounding Guatemala and its adoption processes could lead people to believe that all adoptions which take place in that country are, on some level, corrupt. In an attempt to distinguish reality from the sensational, Kelly Caldwell launched a website called Guatadopt.com. Kevin Kruetner is now the group's spokesperson and lead writer.

"I don't think the media is very balanced. They tend to show sensationalized stories and worst of all, they never seem to devote enough time to really understand the dynamics. But when a reporter is given two days to pump out a piece, what can we expect to happen?"

Kruetner urges people to remember that the vast majority of Guatemalan adoptions are legitimate, and even the stories of corruption often don't tell the full story.

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Labels: international, laws, adoption_policy

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In June, the Nepali government suspended adoptions in response to severe criticism over its adoption system and practices. Today, diplomats from six nations urged the government to quickly resolve the deadlock that has left hundreds of families "in limbo".

"Diplomatic officials said the move left plans by some 358 foreign families to adopt children from the Himalayan country up in the air. 'It's a very emotional problem and it's becoming a humanitarian issue for these families,' French Ambassador Gilles-Henry Garault told AFP."

Nepal's minister for women, Khadga Bahadur Biswokarma, said new adoption regulations have been drafted and will be sent to the cabinet in the next few days. She was unable, however, to give a timeframe for implementation of the new rules.

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Labels: international, adoption_policy, adoption_procedures

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In 2000, Prime Minister Tony Blair introduced new "reward grants" in an attempt to increase the number of domestic adoptions taking place in the United Kingdom. Though adoptions have increased, they've increase so dramatically that many government officials are asking for an explanation.

"Critics say very young children are specifically selected - even before birth - by social workers to get the bonuses. It is believed that 1,000 each year are wrongly taken from their parents."

Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming has called the practice "social engineering". So many babies are being taken from mothers and families that there are not enough foster parents to care for them.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk.

Labels: UK, adoption_policy, critics

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Standard Register is an Ohio-based leading provider of document and print management services. But it recently gained recognition as a leader in something else: providing a "beneficial and comprehensive adoption policy" for its employees.

"Established in January 2006, Standard Register's policy on adoption provides employees with up to $4,000 of financial assistance as well as up to four weeks of paid leave. These benefits apply to both female and male employees."

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption ® recently recognized the company, ranking it third among Ohio-based workplaces and fourth on a nationwide list of companies that are considered "adoption friendly". Read more online.

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Labels: financial_assistance, employers, adoption_policy

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