NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:3/27/08
Contact:Beth Brindo, LISW – The Adoption Center At Bellefaire JCB
Phone:216.320.8292

Cleveland, Ohio – Bellefaire JCB has received Hague Accreditation as a primary provider from the Council on Accreditation (COA). Under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions, this accreditation reflects the high ethical standards of practice, protection for children, and excellence in service to the many children and families served by The Adoption Center at Bellefaire. 

Hague Accreditation protects the rights of children, birth parents, and adoptive parents while promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical practices among adoption service providers. Beginning April 1, 2008, all U.S. adoption agencies will be required to obtain Hague Accreditation to continue providing intercountry adoption services.  As a regulation of the Hague Accreditation, adoptive families will be required to complete specific international adoption parent training.

Bellefaire JCB is one of the nation's largest, longest-established child placement/adoption agencies. In early 2007, Bellefaire expanded their flourishing adoption program to include international adoptions with El Salvador and Ukraine. During this past year the agency successfully facilitated 38 international adoptions.  Bellefaire provides adoptive parent training at various locations in Ohio; this training curriculum is in compliance with the requirements of the Hague Convention.

“Bellefaire has committed its resources to the achievement of Hague Accreditation in order to support our intercountry adoptions are made in the best interests of children and protect children and their families against the risks of unregulated adoptions. We are proud to be included in the first group of agencies accredited in the nation and in Ohio,” Beth Brindo, LISW Bellefaire JCB. 

For more information please contact Beth Brindo at 216-320-8292

To learn more about Bellefaire JCB, go to www.bellefairejcb.org

Established in 1868, Bellefaire JCB (a not-for-profit organization) has become one of the nation’s leading providers and innovators of wellness, advocacy and behavioral healthcare for children, youth and their families. Building upon a rich legacy of success, today’s Bellefaire JCB is a multi-disciplinary agency with a mission to serve the ever-changing wellness needs of America’s children. Bellefaire JCB provides 25 programs and services including: Residential Treatment; Foster Care; Adoption; Day Treatment; Outpatient Counseling; Home-Based Counseling; Substance Abuse Services; Community-Based Programs for Children Involved with the Juvenile Justice System; Early Childhood Programs; Big Brother/Big Sister Program and Monarch Services, Day School and Boarding Academy for Children and Adolescents with Autism. All Bellefaire JCB services are provided with without regard to sex, religion or national origin.