Inside the Adoption Agency: Understanding Intercountry Adoption in the Era of the Hague Convention [Paperback]

Jean Nelson-Erichsen (Author)

Book Description

Inside the Adoption Agency provides a glimpse inside the fascinating world of international adoption and explains the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, which is revolutionizing a process that was previously uncontrolled and marred by scandal.

“Jean Erichsen gives order to the often overwhelming mix of foreign and domestic requirements and provides the reader with many heart-warming and humorous moments as well.”
—Laura Kalish, attorney

“Jean Erichsen has a lively and entertaining style of writing that makes this book hard to put down.”
—Sandra Carlson, LCSW

“What I really appreciated about this book was how clearly it spelled out the total dependence of agencies and adoptive parents on the whims of the host countries.”
—Ruth Arnold, adoptive parent

“This fascinating book will give the reader a renewed appreciation of the dedication and hard work by which trustworthy adoption professionals arrange for homeless children overseas to join their new American families. The Erichsens’ unique historical perspective provides an understanding of why the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption will be coming into effect in this decade, in an effort to insure sound adoption agency practices with well prepared adoptive parents.”
—Deborah McCurdy, founder and supervisor of social work, Beacon Adoption Center

Jean Erichsen is one of the leading pioneers of intercountry adoption. Part history lesson and part “how-to guide,” this book provides valuable insights and information from someone who has witnessed and shaped intercountry adoption practice for the past twenty-five years.
—Thomas Atwood, President and CEO, National Council For Adoption

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jean Nelson Erichsen, MA, LBSW, is a co-founder of the first international adoption agency based in Texas. Erichsen and her husband, Heino R. Erichsen, have also participated in U.S. State Department Study Groups for the Hague Convention and the proposal of the Treaty at the Hague, Holland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 102 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (March 14, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595402062
• ISBN-13: 978-0595402069
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,124,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jean Nelson Erichsen was born in Sacred Heart, Minnesota. As a writer and social worker, she traveled the world to pursue her dream of helping children find the loving, stable family she was denied. Her book, How to Adopt Internationally, is still considered the bible of international adoptions. Jean's children's book, Copito the Christmas Chihuahua, is an Xmas favorite. She wrote three memoirs, Butterflies in the Wind: The Truth About Latin American Adoptions, and The Reluctant Warrior: Former German POW Finds Peace in Texas. Her latest, My Portable Life: Reluctant Runaway Finds Families For Thousands of Children, will be available in 2010. Jean received the National Council for Adoption Hall of Fame Award and an International Rights of the Child Award.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Anyone Involved in Adoptions, August 14, 2007

By 

K. Brabson "Katie Brabson, Precious.org" (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Inside the Adoption Agency: Understanding Intercountry Adoption in the Era of the Hague Convention (Paperback)

Jean Nelson Erichsen has written a terrific book that is a must read for prospective adoptive parents and adoption professions alike. This short and clear writing is both a tool of education on the history of adoption and the long road that adoption supporters have traveled to provide for the world's children through adoption. It is also an accurate glimpse into the world of the adoption agency and the role that government's and media play in the process. This book provides excellent foundational information for prospective adoption parents as well. It is a reminder to all of us of the standard of practice that we must continue to raise the bar on so that children can continue to find loving homes and families of their own. Adoptive parents need education prior to beginning an adoption- this book is a great place to start. Grab a cup of coffee and sit down for a read that combines personal stories, humor, and factual information on what goes on behind the scenes of adoption.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Wish I Had This Book BEFORE We Were Scammed, May 19, 2008

By 

Dawn De Lorenzo "Author of Peanut Butter and ... (Woodbridge, NJ) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Inside the Adoption Agency: Understanding Intercountry Adoption in the Era of the Hague Convention (Paperback)

This book is a concise, yet detailed book into the world of international adoption. The author does a magnificent job of outlining what prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) can expect...and what NOT to expect. She also provides tips/hints to avoid the traps set by unethical agencies (such as baiting parents with photolistings of adorable babies.)

I wish I read this book BEFORE we started our adoption journey in April 2006. We ended up loving and losing three sons by using a fraud in the adoption industry. The co-owner of the agency, Orson Mozes, has feld the country and is charged with 62 felonies. His wife and co-owner of the agency, Christen Brown, although not charged criminally is facing civil litigation(RICO).

You can read about our adoption nightmare [...]. I also have a blog devoted to fighting adoption fraud and there are many well-known advocates who are contributing writers on the blog: [...]

Well done! A MUST read for EVERY PAP!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, January 11, 2008

By 

Katherine T. Otte (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Inside the Adoption Agency: Understanding Intercountry Adoption in the Era of the Hague Convention (Paperback)

This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in international adoption-prospective adoptive parents and professionals alike. Written by Jean Nelson Erichsen, the cofounder of the first international adoption agency in Texas, it gives the reader a clear understanding of the history of international adoption, how international adoption agencies work, and the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis. One point that comes through loud and clear is the difficulty these agencies have dealing with the whims of foreign governments. The anecdotal stories that are added throughout the book to illustrate key issues help keep the reader's interest. The last chapter, Predicting the Future of International Adoption, is extremeley informative for anyone considering international adoption today. Its explanation of the Hague Convention, how it came about, and what its impact will be on future adoptions will give prospective adoptive parents a better understanding of where international adoption is going and what they may face on their journey to adopt their child.