The Marseille Committee is authorised to work with:
INTRODUCTION
1941
Until 1941, COFA Marseille was a local section of the l’Œuvre de l’Adoption (see its history below). The committee was then known by different names as changes were made to its articles of association (different titles and address), but its goal has always been to “welcome and place minors”.
2011
On 26 August 2011, the committee adopted the exact name of COFA—Comité de Marseille – Œuvre de l’Adoption (JO of 10/9/2011).
COMMITTEE LIFE
A HISTORY OF THE ŒUVRE DE L’ADOPTION
On page 80 of Alain Louyot’s book (published by François Bourin), “Histoire de l’Adoption,” the author recounts the story of Father Lucien Maîtrias, who “noticed in the snow an odd-looking bundle that seemed to be moving on the threshold of a house on rue du Faubourg-du-Temple, in Paris. It was in fact two children huddled together, two shivering orphans. Believing them to be a sign of diving providence, he lodged the statutes of the Œuvre de l’Adoption on 15 August 1858.”
COMPOSITION
Office members convene once a month. Meetings for all volunteers are also organised depending on the subjects for discussion.
Volunteers operate by country:
- China and United States team: hours on Tuesdays,
- India team: hours on Wednesdays,
- Nepal team: hours on Wednesdays,
- Vietnam team: hours on Thursdays.
These volunteers take a variety of training courses to become professionals, whether internally (at COFA) or in external agencies, such as COPES, or as part of training programmes organised by EFA or FFOAA.
An employed secretary.
A volunteer paediatrician, who examines children’s records provided by their country (as the case may be) and suggests a COCA (Guidance and Counselling Consultation on Adoption) if needed.
The Committee is authorised in all departments of metropolitan France and in La Réunion.
TIME FOR DEVELOPING A PROJECT WITH COFA MARSEILLE
Conditions for adoption are defined by the laws of the countries in which we are approved.
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 MAI as part of an Agreement of Objectives and Resources, signed with the French state in 2011, to fund travel, team training and the preparation of prospective parents.
Our COFA – Marseille accounts are audited by a certified accountant and, like all COFA committee accounts, validated by COFA’s auditor.
ADOPTION FOLLOW-UP
Adoption steps:
Regardless of the country for which a candidate is approved, they are supported with the completion of their application and during the waiting period for their child.
Post-adoption follow-up:
COFA Marseille is accredited to carry out the “6-month follow-up” required by the departmental council, which is conducted at home. A report is then sent to the departmental council.
Some countries require follow-ups, also at home, as well as development reports (which are written by parents). This country requirement must be fulfilled without fail, since it affects our ties with these countries.
CONTACT
Were you adopted through COFA Marseille? Would you like to find out more about your origins, or speak to a professional?
The President of COFA Marseille will answer requests relating to birth parent research. Those making the request must include as much information as they can and send a photocopy of their ID card.
