http://dailycamera.com/news/2008/mar/01/adoption-agencies-scrutinized/

Adoption agencies scrutinized

State licensing group to comb through 26 agencies

By Heath Urie Camera Staff Writer
Saturday, March 1, 2008

All 26 international adoption agencies licensed by the state will undergo a review of financial and procedural policies following the closure of several adoption services and a police investigation into one former Boulder agency.

Colorado Department of Human Services spokeswoman Liz McDonough said the 60-day review was sparked in part by a Boulder police investigation into the Claar Foundation, an international adoption agency that closed its doors early last month.

Police spokeswoman Sarah Huntley on Friday said investigators are still looking into allegations that Claar officials, including former Erie Trustee Lisa Novak and her husband, Martin Claar, defrauded and stole money from hopeful parents.

Several former Claar customers have filed lawsuits alleging Novak's company accepted money for services that were never provided. The business has since closed its headquarters at 4141 Arapahoe Ave.

McDonough said the ongoing investigation, coupled with the December closure of Denver-based Friends of Children of Various Nations and the planned closure of Commonwealth Adoption International, in Centennial, have led to the review of all adoption programs' "financial practices and child safety and well-being issues."

"We are simply looking at the agencies to ensure they are following state rules," McDonough said. "This is just intended to be proactive -- to make sure business is being conducted appropriately."

She said the state agency will make a public report on its findings.

A handful of adoption agencies not licensed by the Human Services office will not be included in the probe, McDonough said.

To provide information for the Human Services review, call 303-866-5961.

Contact Camera Staff Writer Heath Urie at 303-473-1328 or urieh@dailycamera.com.