“One comes from its childhood as much as from a country.”
INTRODUCTION
COFA Lyon — Œuvre Adoptive Lyonnaise, founded in 1952, is one of the Œuvre de l’Adoption committees. Its head office is in Lyon, a city which is part of its identity and establishment.
It is part of the Confédération Française pour l’Adoption (COFA), the leading French adoption organization (AAA, Approved Adoption Agency).
Our team includes one employee and some active (doctors, psychologists, a consultant) or retired professionals, alongside with qualified people who volunteer their time, skills, and experience.
We offer information, help and support for both adopters and adoptees looking for information about their origins.
SCHEDULE
OUR FUNDING
Adoption applicants who solicit our services contribute to our operating expenses (which are endorsed by the Mission de l’Adoption Internationale—MAI).
We receive financial support from the MAI as part of an Agreement on Objectives and Resources, first signed with the French government in 2011, to fund travels and trainings for our team, as well as for the applicants to increase their awareness of the specificities of international adoption.
COFA Lyon—Oeuvre Adoptive Lyonnaise accounts are approved by a certified accountant and examined, as for all COFA Committee accounts, by COFA’s auditor.
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BACKGROUND
1952
Founded in 1952 under the name Œuvre Adoptive Lyonnaise, we have fosteried many children born anonymously in France.
Since 1980
In the 1980’s, our organisation opened to new horizons when we were allowed to work in Colombia and Haiti. COFA Lyon—Œuvre Adoptive Lyonnaise has also worked in Poland and Lithuania, before giving up these accreditations. Colombia has provided many beautiful children from all regions and remains a country that is dear to the hearts of our team and our board of directors. The adoption policy in that country has changed radically. For the time being, only children with special needs can be adopted internationally.
2000
Our ties with Haiti are long-standing and were further consolidated and developed in the noughties, when trips to the country became more regular. Ties with partner children’s homes (“creches”) have reinforced a relationship based on trust and cooperation. They opened the way to dozens of children being adopted, until the tragic earthquake of 10 January 2010, which marked the end of an era.
2013
Support for creches, particularly in the period when adoptions were closed until 2013, underscored our long-term commitment to the country. The reopening of adoption within the framework of the 2013 law and Haiti’s alignment with the Hague Convention were new challenges for the country to meet.
2020
COFA Lyon—Oeuvre Adoptive Lyonnaise was reaccredited for pursuing its efforts in Colombia by resolution Number 3492 dated 13/05/2020.
We also met IBESR (Haiti) requirements for reaccreditation in that country.
2021
Colombia edited a new “Technical Lineament” in January 2021. This is where they modified their criterias for international adoption.
2022
COFA Lyon – Oeuvre Adoptive Lyonnaise made the decision to suspend the adoption activity in Colombia. We will pursue our activity of supporting adopted people in their search of origins.
The French government decided to renew the suspension of adoption in Haïti with no end date.
DEVELOPING AN ADOPTION PROJECT WITH COFA LYON
Two interviews lasting two and three hours with applicants are required. They include:
- Information about steps in the procedure, waiting times, adoption criteria in the country of origin, adoptable children, characteristics of special needs children, what goes into an application;
- Developing an adoption project: number of children (siblings), medical condition, age.
We offer a specifically developed preparation protocol for becoming adoptive parents. It includes meetings, reading material, contacts with associations, preliminary activities, along with a session on adoptive family preparation once a country has given its agreement, in addition to a support session on the theme of “Making the best of waiting.”
ADOPTION FOLLOW-UP
Once your child has arrived, there are further obligations. We will carry out follow-up activities in your home in accordance with requirements in France and in the child’s country of origin. These follow-up sessions are mandatory to maintain our accreditation in these countries. Please be sure to welcome our volunteer professionals.
We are here for you during your child’s arrival and adaptation period, during the teenage years, or in other circumstances. You may contact us whenever you need to.
CONTACT
Practical information
Office hours:
- Mondays from 9.00-13.00
- Tuesdays from 9.00 to 18.00
- Thursdays from 9.00 to 13.00
COFA Lyon-Œuvre adoptive lyonnaise
24 avenue Felix Faure
69007 Lyon
(metro station: “Saxe-Gambetta”)
+33 (0)4 78 58 48 35
Are you thinking about adopting through us?
Send us a letter including your agreement and supporting documents, your social and psychological report, a copy of your family record book if you are married, a copy of the reasons adduced for a judgment if you are divorced, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a photo of yourself.
