Are Post Adoption Reports enforceable?
The completion of post adoption reports is vital for two reasons. First, they help families thrive as the adoption agency provides post adoption support, counseling, and connection to resources. Second, post adoption reports are required by the foreign country, and the continuation of future adoptions from that country are dependent on past families fulfilling their obligation. In other words, some countries have actually terminated ALL adoptions due to some families failing to submit their post adoption reports. Children waiting to be adopted abroad are actually depending upon previous families completing their post adoption reports!
But can post adoption reports be enforced? Some families have erroneously believed that since the adoption is complete, there is nothing that can be done to enforce post adoption reports. However, in a March, 2023 lawsuit, an Ohio court ruled that an adoptive family must cooperate with Nightlight Christian Adoptions in performing their post adoption reports. Therefore, precedent has been established that post adoption reports are enforceable by law.
Post adoption reports benefit everyone: the child, the family, the children waiting abroad to be adopted, and the nations cooperating on adoption!
Daniel Nehrbass, Ph.D. | President