Formation 1975 Founded 1975 | Executive Director Jennifer Mellon | |
Headquarters Alexandria, Virginia, United States Similar Congressional Coalition on Adopti, Gladney Center for Adoption, Holt International Children, Nightlight Christian Adoptions, Dave Thomas Foundati | ||
Joint Council on International Children's Services is a nonprofit child advocacy organization based in Alexandria, Virginia. The organization works to end the suffering of orphans and vulnerable children who live without the protection and love of a permanent family. Joint Council marshals its resources through the 140 Partner organizations, which are U.S. based and international children welfare organizations that work in over 52 countries.
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Advocacy
Joint Council advocates for legislation, funding, and aggressive prosecution of corrupt practices in adoption. They promote domestic adoption around the world, including in China, Africa, and Eastern Europe, while also advocating against the closure of international adoption programs.
In April 2010, after an American mother put her unwanted 7-year-old Russian-adopted son on a plane alone to Russia, Joint Council organized a petition to Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev with over 11,000 signatures discouraging Russia from freezing its international adoption program.
Media outlets often feature comments from former Joint Council CEO, Tom DiFilipo, on articles related to international adoption. Statements from Joint Council have appeared in the Associated Press, USA Today, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, among others.
Membership
Joint Council's Partner organizations include child welfare organizations, domestic and international adoption agencies, as well as orphan care organizations and other groups that provide services related to child welfare, orphan care or adoption.