In the News

Psychological examination requirement

International Assistance Group, Inc. will be requiring as part of the dossier, a psychological examination to be completed on every family who begins the process after 1/1/06. This would pertain to any families interviewed by IAG after this date. It is anticipated that Russia will be requiring this as part of new legislative changes in the near future. International Assistance Group wants to be proactive in this regard and begin to require this testing immediately. In this way, when the changes occur officially in Russia, there will be no delays with regard to our families in the process.

There is a specific test that IAG will require. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). This is a well-known personality test that can assess major symptoms of social and personal maladjustment within a valid and reliable construct. IAG will also be requiring a one page summary written by the person who administered the test. This summary will include highlights from the MMPI test as they relate to parenting. This summary must be signed and notarized. Obviously, this assessment will be considered within the context of all other information received from the family/client so that a thorough evaluation of every family can occur.

Please contact your home study agency for assistance in locating a provider/resource for the completion of the MMPI. Families can also contact their state's psychological association for names of qualified individuals in their area. IAG can provide assistance to those families residing in Pennsylvania.

IAG Wings of Hope Program for Special Needs Adoption

IAG's Board of Directors has approved donating a portion of every fee towards the "Wings of Hope" program. The Wings of Hope program is being created to encourage and support the placement of special needs children from Russia. There are many children waiting for adoption in Russia, who have physical, medical or psychological challenges. IAG strongly believes that these children deserve the love and security that only a family can provide. As such, IAG will sponsor the placement of these children into qualified, adoptive families. Anyone interested in adopting a special needs child through the Wings of Hope program will only be required to pay for homestudy and travel expenses in addition to IAG's direct "out-of-pocket" expenses (i.e., administrative fee). All remaining costs will be paid by IAG as an ongoing commitment to humanitarian aid. "Together we can make a difference" and bring hope to infants and children with special needs. Anyone who is interested in learning more about IAG's Wings of Hope program can contact the agency at (412) 828-5800.

Expansion of Homestudy Services