INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION

HAGUE ACCREDITATION

LSS is proud to be among the nation’s first agencies to be accredited by the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. Hague accreditation acknowledges our unwavering commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards in our provision of international adoption services.

The Hague Adoption Convention is a multilateral treaty that establishes internationally agreed upon norms and procedures for countries that participate in international adoption. Its goal is to protect children, birth parents, and adoptive parents involved in international adoptions and to prevent child-trafficking and other abuses. The Convention requires that only Hague-accredited agencies be allowed to participate in international adoptions in member countries.

CHINA
Families Nationwide

LSS has had the great privilege of placing children from China for 15 years. This is a highly successful international program that is well known for its stability and reliability. China takes its responsibility for the orphans in its care very seriously, and high standards of care, nutrition, and nurture are clearly reflected in the development of children placed with our families. Though it moves slowly at times, we sincerely believe that China is “worth the wait.”

Once your home study is completed, we assist you to prepare your adoption dossier, to acquire the required certifications, and to file your paperwork with the China Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA). We support you and your direct service agency throughout the wait for the referral of a child, handling your acceptance paperwork, and preparing for travel.

You travel to China with a small group of two to five families, unlike most other agencies that travel in large groups. This assures you of more personal, hands-on attention. Our trained and experienced bilingual, culturally astute representatives meet your flight and guide you through your hotel registration, your first meeting with your child, your initial adjustment to parenting, and the completion of the legal process. Trained by CCAA and sensitive to your needs and those of your child, your guide supports you throughout your stay. Whether you need a physician, more diapers, or tour of the local attractions, there is someone there for you every step of the way.

UKRAINE
Families Nationwide

Through the years, we have had many successful adoptions of children from Ukraine. We continue to work in Ukraine, but on a selective basis, with families open to children older than ten  or children with moderate to severe special needs.
 

PARTNERSHIPS

Through our many years of adoption practice, we have been blessed with the opportunity to forge productive partnerships with reputable adoption agencies throughout the country. This enables us to provide access into a number of programs that offer a range of international adoption options in addition to our own, as well as occasional domestic placements. LSS families have adopted through many countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Korea, Mongolia, Philippines, Russia, and many others, through partnerships with agencies such as Lutheran Adoption Network (LAN), Children’s Home Society and Family Services, Dillion International, Friends in Adoption, Holt International, Spence-Chapin, WACAP, and many others.

We are happy to collaborate with any licensed placement agency of your choice, either domestic or international, by providing all direct services including home study, adoption education, post-placement support and finalization services as needed. We offer waiting parent support groups and post adoption services to all families using our direct services, regardless of the placing agency you select. Our experienced professional staff is here to help you, wherever your adoption plan takes you.