I wasted 18 months and approximately $25K in IFS' Russia program before switching to another agency. IFS was slow to answer emails, IMO untruthful in many responses I did receive and ultimately unsuccessful in producing the service I contracted with them to provide. Unfortunately for me, I allowed myself to be decieved to the point of having paid most of my fees, which are NON-REFUNDABLE with IFS, apparently regardless of fault so I am currently involved in an ongoing BBB dispute with them to resolve the issue. Frankly, I don't expect it to be resolved in my favor, based on what I know of the Houston BBB's track record.
IFS is not themselves accredited in Russia and works with an "umbrella" agency (actually at least two different agencies that I know about), which arrangement is constantly under a lot of dispute about whether it is even legal, or if it is now, will it continue to be legal as the Russians continue to tighten up the IA process.
IMO, the behavior of IFS after the AMREX bankruptcy is reprehensible. Following that fiasco, it appears their ability to conduct their business in Russia is severely impacted, the waiting list is long and the process incredibly slow. I've done a lot of research about IFS and have not heard from any Russia program families who were happy with IFS at the end of their adoption. Some people did eventually adopt, but the stories are filled with extensive delays, unexpected fees and other assorted troubles.
I eventually signed with another agency and COMPLETED an adoption in less time than I'd already wasted with IFS and didn't even have a referral at that point!
Stay away from IFS unless you have a lot of time to waste and money to throw away.
Half the time IFS's reps didn't know what they were talking about. This ineptitude wasn't aided by the fact that over the course of a year and a half, we had three different reps, each more clueless than the last. High staff turnover is never a good sign. I think they mean fairly well in a vague sort of way, but they made very serious mistakes. Very. Regarding the above post ("It's funny how people are willing to forgive and forget the horrible things that happened with other agencies such as EEAC and the Frank Agency, but not IFS"), perhaps there is a reason for that.
IFS was wonderful with our family. They worked togther with another agency Small World to help us bring our son home from China. Kathy in the PA office has been wonderful to work with!!! We worked with Jaclyn in the Texas office and she was always there for us. We were very pleased with IFS.
I adopted my two sons from Russia through IFS. One was an infant and the other an older child. Both adoptions were smooth and professioanally handled both in the US by IFS staff and by their staff in Russia (two different regions).
By the way, the agency is not located in Kansas. The main office is in Friendswood, Texas.
The problems caused by AMREX were experienced by the 42 or so agencies that were working under AMREX and not just IFS. IFS actually helped many families complete their adoptions independently, directly through the staff in Russia after the AMREX problems.
Agencies were affected as well as clients, losing money, staff and sometimes giving up offices and working out of homes to save costs.
I checked and presently IFS is in very good standing, expecting their Hague accreditation any day. They have strong programs in China, India and Ethiopia. They have an official partnership with an accredited agency to do Russian adoptions as do many other agencies.
It's funny how people are willing to forgive and forget the horrible things that happened with other agencies such as EEAC and the Frank Agency, but not IFS.
IFS will provide you with reference families for any program you choose to adopt through.
I completed my adoption of my daughter from Guatemala in March 2008. Even though the process was long due to problems in Guatemala, the agency was very helpful and supportive. They sent out regular updates and always returned my calls promtly and answered any questions I had. I have recommended IFS to several friends. My experience was excellent.
We adopted 2 older children from Russia. We used Int'l Family Services and found them to be very helpful throughout the process. We did hit a few bumps along the way but think they were more related to in-country issues that IFS could not prevent.
For more information about Int'l Adoption.... http://www.everythingforadoption.com
My Guatemala process was very smooth. The coordinator (who is no longer there) was very responsive to my questions.
I started in their Kaz progam and that was not as smooth. It took 6+ months to get my dossier together due to poor instructions from the coordinator (different than my Guat coordinator). There were continuous problems and after an unsuccessful year and a half, I switched to Guat.
Would recommend the Guat program.
Would NOT recommend the Kaz program.
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Reviews
Russia Program
I wasted 18 months and approximately $25K in IFS' Russia program before switching to another agency. IFS was slow to answer emails, IMO untruthful in many responses I did receive and ultimately unsuccessful in producing the service I contracted with them to provide. Unfortunately for me, I allowed myself to be decieved to the point of having paid most of my fees, which are NON-REFUNDABLE with IFS, apparently regardless of fault so I am currently involved in an ongoing BBB dispute with them to resolve the issue. Frankly, I don't expect it to be resolved in my favor, based on what I know of the Houston BBB's track record.
IFS is not themselves accredited in Russia and works with an "umbrella" agency (actually at least two different agencies that I know about), which arrangement is constantly under a lot of dispute about whether it is even legal, or if it is now, will it continue to be legal as the Russians continue to tighten up the IA process.
IMO, the behavior of IFS after the AMREX bankruptcy is reprehensible. Following that fiasco, it appears their ability to conduct their business in Russia is severely impacted, the waiting list is long and the process incredibly slow. I've done a lot of research about IFS and have not heard from any Russia program families who were happy with IFS at the end of their adoption. Some people did eventually adopt, but the stories are filled with extensive delays, unexpected fees and other assorted troubles.
I eventually signed with another agency and COMPLETED an adoption in less time than I'd already wasted with IFS and didn't even have a referral at that point!
Stay away from IFS unless you have a lot of time to waste and money to throw away.
Difficult Russian Adoption
Half the time IFS's reps didn't know what they were talking about. This ineptitude wasn't aided by the fact that over the course of a year and a half, we had three different reps, each more clueless than the last. High staff turnover is never a good sign. I think they mean fairly well in a vague sort of way, but they made very serious mistakes. Very. Regarding the above post ("It's funny how people are willing to forgive and forget the horrible things that happened with other agencies such as EEAC and the Frank Agency, but not IFS"), perhaps there is a reason for that.
China Adoption Great!
IFS was wonderful with our family. They worked togther with another agency Small World to help us bring our son home from China. Kathy in the PA office has been wonderful to work with!!! We worked with Jaclyn in the Texas office and she was always there for us. We were very pleased with IFS.
Great Agency
I adopted my two sons from Russia through IFS. One was an infant and the other an older child. Both adoptions were smooth and professioanally handled both in the US by IFS staff and by their staff in Russia (two different regions).
By the way, the agency is not located in Kansas. The main office is in Friendswood, Texas.
The problems caused by AMREX were experienced by the 42 or so agencies that were working under AMREX and not just IFS. IFS actually helped many families complete their adoptions independently, directly through the staff in Russia after the AMREX problems.
Agencies were affected as well as clients, losing money, staff and sometimes giving up offices and working out of homes to save costs.
I checked and presently IFS is in very good standing, expecting their Hague accreditation any day. They have strong programs in China, India and Ethiopia. They have an official partnership with an accredited agency to do Russian adoptions as do many other agencies.
It's funny how people are willing to forgive and forget the horrible things that happened with other agencies such as EEAC and the Frank Agency, but not IFS.
IFS will provide you with reference families for any program you choose to adopt through.
Guatemalan Adoption
I completed my adoption of my daughter from Guatemala in March 2008. Even though the process was long due to problems in Guatemala, the agency was very helpful and supportive. They sent out regular updates and always returned my calls promtly and answered any questions I had. I have recommended IFS to several friends. My experience was excellent.
Int'l Family Services
We adopted 2 older children from Russia. We used Int'l Family Services and found them to be very helpful throughout the process. We did hit a few bumps along the way but think they were more related to in-country issues that IFS could not prevent.
For more information about Int'l Adoption.... http://www.everythingforadoption.com
My Guatemala process was
My Guatemala process was very smooth. The coordinator (who is no longer there) was very responsive to my questions.
I started in their Kaz progam and that was not as smooth. It took 6+ months to get my dossier together due to poor instructions from the coordinator (different than my Guat coordinator). There were continuous problems and after an unsuccessful year and a half, I switched to Guat.
Would recommend the Guat program.
Would NOT recommend the Kaz program.