SECTION 01
Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using the website located at www.new-beginnings.org (the “Site”) or by engaging the services of New Beginnings Family and Children’s Services (“New Beginnings,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our Site or services.
These Terms apply to all visitors, prospective adoptive parents, current clients, donors, and any other users of the Site or our services. They are in addition to, and do not replace, any written service agreement, home study contract, or placement agreement you may execute with us.
SECTION 02
Agency Overview & Accreditation
New Beginnings Family and Children’s Services is a Hague Accredited adoption service provider accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services (CEAS-ASP) and affiliated with the National Council for Adoption (NCFA). Our accreditation is subject to periodic renewal and oversight.
We operate adoption and social work programs in accordance with:
- The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption
- The Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA)
- U.S. Department of State regulations governing Hague adoption service providers
- State licensing requirements in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida
- Applicable laws and regulations of each sending country in which we operate
SECTION 03
Website Use
Permitted Use
You may use this Site for lawful purposes to learn about our services, submit inquiries, access educational resources, make donations, and communicate with our team. You agree not to:
- Use the Site in any manner that violates applicable law or regulation
- Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information through any form or application
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Site or its backend systems
- Use automated tools (bots, scrapers, crawlers) to extract data from the Site without our express written consent
- Transmit any harmful, offensive, or disruptive content through the Site
- Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity
Accuracy of Information
While we strive to keep the information on our Site current and accurate, adoption laws, program availability, country eligibility requirements, and fees are subject to change. We make no warranty that all information is complete, accurate, or up to date. Always confirm current program details directly with our staff before making decisions.
Program availability — including the Korean Adoption Program, which is currently closed to new applications — may change at any time based on bilateral agreements and regulatory requirements.
SECTION 04
Adoption Services
Eligibility
Eligibility to adopt through New Beginnings is determined by applicable U.S. federal law, the laws of the sending country, Hague Convention requirements, and our agency’s policies. Submission of an inquiry or pre-application form does not constitute an offer of services or a guarantee of eligibility.
Service Agreement
Formal adoption services are governed by a separate written service agreement between you and New Beginnings. These Terms apply to your use of the Site and are supplemental to, not a replacement for, that agreement. In the event of a conflict, the written service agreement controls.
Role as Primary Provider
As a Hague-accredited primary provider, New Beginnings assumes specific legal responsibilities under the Intercountry Adoption Act for supervising and supporting the adoption process. The scope of those responsibilities is defined in your service agreement and applicable law.
Country Programs
Each country program (Morocco, Thailand, Pakistan, Jamaica, Korea) is subject to the specific laws of that country, including requirements regarding prospective parents’ religion, heritage, marital status, and age. New Beginnings does not control the laws, timelines, or decisions of foreign governments or in-country partners.
SECTION 05
Fees & Payments
Adoption program fees are described on our Adoption Fees page and in your service agreement. Fees may include agency fees, home study fees, in-country fees, government fees, legal fees, and other program costs. Please note:
- Fee schedules are subject to change; current fees will be provided at the time of your application
- Fees paid for services already rendered are generally non-refundable; refund eligibility for other fees is governed by your service agreement
- New Beginnings is not responsible for fees charged by foreign governments, embassies, courts, or in-country partners
- Online payments are processed by our third-party payment processor; New Beginnings does not store payment card data
SECTION 06
No Guarantee of Placement
Important: Submission of an application or payment of fees does not guarantee the placement of a child. International adoption involves decisions by foreign governments, courts, and child welfare authorities outside New Beginnings’ control. Program timelines may be delayed or programs may be suspended or closed due to changes in bilateral agreements or foreign law.
New Beginnings will make good-faith efforts to advance your adoption case in accordance with applicable law and our service agreement, but we make no representation or warranty as to outcome or timeline.
SECTION 07
Home Study Services
New Beginnings provides supervised home study services for families residing in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida, including families working with other placement agencies. Home studies are conducted in accordance with applicable state regulations and Hague Convention standards. Completion of a home study does not guarantee adoption eligibility or placement approval by any foreign government or U.S. agency.
SECTION 08
Post-Adoption Services
New Beginnings offers post-adoption support groups, counseling, and educational resources. These services are provided in good faith to support adoptive families and are not a substitute for professional medical, psychiatric, or legal advice. Participants in our support groups are encouraged to maintain the confidentiality of other participants.
SECTION 09
Donations
New Beginnings is a nonprofit organization. Donations made through our Site are used to support our mission of finding permanent, loving homes for orphaned and displaced children. We are not able to guarantee specific tax treatment of donations; please consult your tax advisor. Donations are generally non-refundable except in cases of processing error. We will provide a donation acknowledgment for your records.
SECTION 10
Intellectual Property
All content on this Site — including text, graphics, logos, photographs, and documents — is the property of New Beginnings Family and Children’s Services or its licensors and is protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from our content without our express written permission. You may print or download content for personal, non-commercial use in connection with your adoption inquiry.
SECTION 11
Disclaimer of Warranties
THE SITE AND ITS CONTENT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. NEW BEGINNINGS DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SITE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS.
Information on this Site does not constitute legal, medical, psychological, or financial advice. Always consult qualified professionals before making adoption, financial, or medical decisions.
SECTION 12
Limitation of Liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, NEW BEGINNINGS, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SITE OR OUR SERVICES, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Our total liability for any claim arising out of your use of the Site (not including claims arising under your written service agreement) shall not exceed $100. This limitation does not apply to liability that cannot be excluded by applicable law.
SECTION 13
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless New Beginnings and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to your use of the Site, your violation of these Terms, or your submission of false or misleading information in any application or inquiry.
SECTION 14
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any legal proceedings arising out of these Terms or your use of this Site shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Nassau County, New York, and you consent to personal jurisdiction in those courts.
SECTION 15
Dispute Resolution
We encourage you to contact us directly to resolve any concerns before initiating legal action. Please reach out to us at [email protected] or (516) 747-2204. We will make good-faith efforts to address your concerns promptly.
Disputes relating to your written service agreement are subject to the dispute resolution provisions contained in that agreement, which may include mediation or arbitration.
SECTION 16
Modifications to These Terms
We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. We will post revised Terms on this page with an updated effective date. Your continued use of the Site following any revision constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. We recommend reviewing this page periodically.