Gladney Celebrates

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --- Gladney Center for Adoption receives Hague Accreditation!

The Gladney Center for Adoption, a recognized leader in adoption services, has been granted Hague Accreditation by the Council on Accreditation (COA). Gladney recognized the importance of the Hague Convention and was eager to be accredited by COA. The ethical and humane practice of adoption is Gladney's top mandate and the driving force behind its mission of creating bright futures around the world.

Marshall Williams, Senior Vice President of Intercountry Adoption, said, "Gladney worked diligently to ensure our compliance with the standards detailed in the Hague Accreditation process. I am pleased the United States is a member of the Convention. Gladney embraces changes which protect and serve the children of the world."

The Hague Convention is a set of internationally approved standards for countries involved in intercountry adoptions. The Hague Convention protects children and families against the risk of unregulated adoptions abroad and ensures that intercountry adoptions are made in the best interest of the children. The Convention also protects against unethical, unlawful and inhumane adoption practices among adoption providers.

Once Hague Regulations go into effect in a given country, adoptions involving two "Convention countries" must adhere to The Hague Convention standards. This also means any adoption agency or person wishing to facilitate an adoption through two Convention countries must be accredited under the Hague Standards. Over 70 countries are Convention members. The United States signed the Convention on March 31, 1994.

In addition to being Hague Accredited, Gladney is one of the few agencies that offer Hague approved training for adoptive parents. The Hague Convention stipulates that families who are adopting internationally must have ten clock hours of training covering specific topics. Gladney has incorporated all specified topics in the Hague trainings which are available online at http://www.haguetraining.com.

Gladney's Intercountry Adoption Programs have successfully placed thousands of babies and young children in homes throughout the United States. These programs offer adoption opportunities in Eastern European, African, Asian and Latin American countries.

About The Gladney Center for Adoption

A Tradition of Trust -- Gladney opened its doors more than a century ago as one man's mission to find permanent homes for children. Today, the Gladney Center for Adoption is an international leader in adoption services, placing more than 27,000 children in forever homes. For more information about intercountry adoption, log onto http://www.gladney.org. Gladney is dedicated to creating bright futures around the world.