Update: Russia Adoption Program
Since our last update went out on January 9th, CWA Case Managers and counselors have received quite a few inquiries about a new Russian law. The law in question is called "Additional Support for Families With Children," and it took effect on January 1st, 2007. This law provides a government benefit of 250,000 rubles (approximately $10,000) to Russian families who decide to adopt domestically.
The general idea behind the law is to encourage Russian families to adopt as part of broader Russian government policy aimed at increasing the Russian population. President Putin supports measures that will reverse the population decline, often referred to in the press as Russia's "demographic problem," and this new law is one attempt to address that problem.
However, it is debatable how much real impact the new law and the benefits it provides will have on Russian families' willingness to adopt. Though at first glance the incentive seems substantial, consider this:
The 250,000 rubles given to each Russian family that adopts can be used:
1) Only three years after the adoption. During that time the money will be held in escrow for the families, who will have no access to the money.
2) The funds can be spent only:
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For educational purposes (thus delaying the start of the disbursement by several more years);
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For housing, either an apartment or a home (but bear in mind that at current Moscow prices that amount of money would only buy about two square meters (20 square feet) of living space. Prices are lower in other regions, but it remains to be seen how effective this housing incentive will be);
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To fund a retirement pension for the mother.
Given these restrictions on the use of the money, there may be strong initial interest when families hear about the benefit, but less enthusiasm when they learn the details. This benefit alone does not seem sufficient to persuade families to adopt who would not do so otherwise. The view from CWA is that this measure may somewhat encourage domestic adoptions in Russia, but overall will not have the drastic effect on international adoptions from Russia that some in the U.S. have predicted.
As you know, CWA is in the process of being reaccredited. We have been proactive and have submitted all the required documents for reaccreditation to the Ministry of Education on December 28th, 2006. We are now waiting for the Ministry, which has 90 days to make its decision, to issue our new accreditation. As always, CWA will keep you posted on any new information we receive. |
