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Accreditation

MAPS is proud to be one of the first US agencies recognized through the Council on Accreditation (COA) as a Hague-accredited adoption agency. Here is some information about accreditation and why it’s so important:

What is the Hague Convention?

The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption is a sweeping, multilateral international child welfare treaty. 68 nations, including the US, China, India, Guatemala, and Peru, have already ratified the treaty. Its goals are to

• ensure that the best interests of children are considered with each intercountry adoption, and
• prevent the abduction, exploitation, sale, or trafficking of children around the world.
  

How did MAPS earn accreditation?

Before granting accreditation, COA peer reviewers must be fully satisfied that an agency

• adheres to the highest ethical standards if they are to continue to place children under this new legislation;
• meets stringent requirements regarding licensing and corporate governance, financial and risk management procedures, ethical practices, professional qualifications and quality control policies; and
• passes a rigorous peer committee review.

How does our accreditation benefit adoptive families?

• Once the US ratifies the convention, in order to adopt from a Hague country (China, Guatemala, India, etc.) families must use a Hague-accredited agency such as MAPS.
• With MAPS, you can know that here in the US we will ensure that each client’s home study process meets service standards and that each international adoption upholds the highest ethical standards from beginning to end.
• As a Hague-accredited agency we must also maintain strict oversight of our overseas employees and agents, ensuring that you will receive ethical and professional service abroad.