The landscape of adoption in Ukraine is changing. With the imminent arrival of the Universal Accreditation Act, independent adoptions will no longer be possible. Families wanting to adopt from Ukraine will need to choose an agency to partner with. Many families that have participated in hosting, or are open to a special needs child, will be trying to decide on who best suits their needs. Why should that agency be MLJ Adoptions?
As the Ukraine Program Director, I am a mother to four Ukrainian children! I know the process and have more than 12 years of experience with Ukrainian adoptions. In fact, I have worked to place more than 130 Ukrainian children in to loving forever families! MLJ Adoptions is dedicated to working with ethical staff in their programs and will be working with some of the most knowledgeable attorneys and facilitators in Ukraine.
MLJ has a great support staff with experience in dealing with older children. Several of MLJ’s staff have completed the TBRI training by Karen Purvis and are eager to offer advice or helpful strategies to parenting children from hard places. MLJ provides ongoing education and support to families for as long as the family needs or wishes. In addition, as the Ukraine Program Director, I have developed a personal network of families, churches and translators that are willing to offer additional support to help make the transition of bringing home your child easier.
As a mother to children that were older when adopted, I am dedicated to making sure families are educated, and prepared to parent older children. I know the problems many of my families that adopt older children may face and I want to provide resources to help. I am passionate about Ukraine and its culture, and have a deep respect for the birth country of my children. I have an avid desire to make a difference in the lives of the children there.
I know that prospective adoptive parents will have many choices when considering an adoption service provider, and that final selection may not always be MLJ, but for the families that do choose to move forward with MLJ Adoptions, it is my desire to guide you through the process and your journey to the best of my ability! It is not an easy journey, it is not an easy country and the task of parenting an older child is often difficult, however it is a journey of a lifetime!
You may contact us for more information on adopting from Ukraine.
Photo Credit: Vladimir Yaitskiy
Lydia Tarr
Lydia Tarr works as the International Program Director for MLJ Adoptions’ programs in Bulgaria and Ukraine. She is the adoptive mother of four children from Ukraine and was recognized as a 2013 Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angels in Adoption Program.
Lydia Tarr
Lydia Tarr works as the International Program Director for MLJ Adoptions’ programs in Bulgaria and Ukraine. She is the adoptive mother of four children from Ukraine and was recognized as a 2013 Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angels in Adoption Program.