wfn.org | Association warns about adoption schemes

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (509
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Note 506 by UMNS on Dec. 15, 1997 at 16:54 Eastern (2497 characters).

Contact: Tim Tanton 					694(10-21-71B){506}
	    Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5473)	Dec. 15, 1997

Couples must be careful when dealing with adoption agencies, United Methodist
association warns

by John Hoban*

     DAYTON, Ohio (UMNS) – As families celebrate the birth of Christ and the
joy of childhood this season, a United Methodist association is cautioning
couples to be careful when dealing with adoption agencies.
     The United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries
recently learned of a St. Louis couple that lost $11,500 trying to adopt a
child.
     The couple began working in March with a man who said he was a contact
for a Pennsylvania-based adoption agency. The man and the agency seemed to
have the proper credentials, the couple said.
     The would-be parents, who are United Methodists, were reassured when they
learned that their contact was endorsed by the Methodist Church.
     In August, after paying the organization, the couple quit hearing from
their contact. They investigated and discovered that the agency’s office was
closed and their contact had disappeared. Frantic telephone calls to
Pennsylvania law enforcement officials turned up numerous complaints against
the operation from couples around the country.
     The story underscores the care required when undertaking the adoption
process.
     The United Methodist Church does not endorse any adoption agency.
However, several United Methodist-related residential child care and family
service agencies offer international and domestic adoption services.
     These organizations have found homes for thousands of children through
the years. People seeking to adopt can obtain a list of the agencies from the
United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries.
     The association is a national network of 400 United Methodist-related,
health care and human service organizations and professionals. The Dayton,
Ohio,-based group:
· Serves as a networking forum and communications coordinator between its
membership and the general boards and agencies of the United Methodist Church.
· Offers service enhancement and consulting programs.
· Offers educational opportunities and employee recognition programs for its
members.
###	
* Hoban is director of communications for the United Methodist Association of
Health and Welfare Ministries. For more information about the organization or
for a list of agencies, call (937) 227-9494.
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