What is an Adoption Study and why do we need one?

An adoption study (also known as a home study or pre-placement assessment) is a process that includes a series of meetings with a social worker, designed to help educate prospective adoptive parents about adoption. Home At Last Adoption A home study is a review of you, your spouse, and anyone else living in your home. It is required for almost every adoption. The home study helps the courts and the agency determine if a stable environment exists for a family to receive an adoptive placement.

What areas does the Home Study cover?

You will receive a home study packet that includes the following:

• Questionnaires asking for a self-description, childhood experience’s, family life style, and future goals.
• Forms for medical exams
• Requests for financial statements
• A request for copies of documents such as Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, divorce decree(s), etc.
• An outline for an Autobiography
• Employment history
• Discipline practices
• Racial considerations
• Education
• Instructions for criminal background screening
• Requests for references

The information is needed to help your social worker understand your needs and make a successful evaluation of your home environment. Information from interviews and from paperwork completed by applicants is consolidated into a written report. Contents of the report must follow guidelines set forth by the applicant’s state of residence, the foreign country involved, and the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

What changes can I make in the Home Study?

Your social worker will take all of the information collected and prepare a written report. A copy of the home study will be sent for you to review. The social worker’s opinion cannot be changed. If there are any factual mistakes that need to be corrected, you are to contact your worker directly.

How long will it take to complete the adoption?

This is the most frequently asked question and is the one that is the most difficult to answer accurately and precisely. We can only provide applicants with estimated time frames. It must be kept in mind that estimates can only be based upon past cases; we cannot fully predict or guarantee what will happen in the future. We understand that adoption often necessitates a family putting their lives “on hold” until a child arrives. We provide as much information as we have regarding expected waiting times but much can, and often does, happen to affect the length of time it takes to complete the adoption process. It is impossible to predict every variable that impacts on waiting times. Patience will be an important ingredient in successfully completing a domestic adoption.

How much does an adoption cost?

In your packet is a fee schedule for services provided by Home At Last Adoption Agency.

What should we do if we do not live in Florida?

If you live outside of Florida, you must find a local agency to do your home study. You will be responsible for the home study fees as charged by the local agency. The agency must meet the following requirements:

• The agency must be licensed by your resident state and be a non-profit organization.
• You must provide Home At Last with the agency’s name and address.
• Home At Last will send an outline of requirements to be included for the State of Florida.
• You will need to complete all requirement for an Interstate Compact
• Home At Last will guide you and complete the necessary paperwork.

What is an Interstate Compact?

An Interstate Compact is a set of forms to be completed by the agency so that both states involved can be assured that the requirements of each state have been addressed and met.

What are post-placement supervision visit?

Post placement supervision visits are follow-ups to the home study. They consist of visits from a social worker to assess the status of the child and how the adoptive parents are adjusting. Once a child is placed in your home, the agency that performed your home study will complete the required number of post-placement visits. The number and timing of visits varies from state to state.

For an international adoption, why is a Dossier needed?

Most foreign countries that allow children to be adopted abroad require the applicants for adoption to submit various documents that, when put together, is referred to as a “dossier.” The dossier consists of documents that verify certain factors of the applicant’s life, i.e., birth and marriage certificates, divorce decrees, statements regarding the applicant’s health, employment and criminal record. An adoption study recommending the family for adoption of a child from that country is also required. All applicants to Home At Last will be given appropriate materials and instructions concerning dossier preparation during the adoption study process.

What is "U.S. C.I.S." and what does it have to do with Adoption?

USCIS stands for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. Families wishing to adopt from another country must petition the CIS for an entry visa for the child to enter the United States. Adoption alone does not grant families the right to bring a child into the U.S. A special provision in the law called the “Eligible Orphans Act” permits a child to immigrate to this country. Eligible children, through this act do not have to wait indefinitely for a visa. A visa can be granted within a short time after completion of the adoption process, but it is important to note that not all children available for adoption in foreign countries qualify as eligible orphans. Be sure the child you wish to adopt is eligible for a visa to enter the United States before proceeding with the adoption. You may consult with Home At Last, an attorney who specializes in immigration matters, or a representative of the United States CIS with questions concerning eligibility and processing.

Do we have to travel to the foreign country?

It depends on the country from which you are adopting. Most foreign governments require adoptive parents to come to the country to complete all or part of the legal adoption process. Information on travel requirements, such as do both parents have to travel, length of stay in the foreign country, etc., will be discussed with you by a Home At Last representative during the adoption process.

How much does an International Adoption cost?

Costs vary from program to program. Inter-country adoption is often more costly than domestic adoption because it involves travel for the child and often the parents as well. Another important aspect of any inter-country adoption program is the fee and donations paid to the foreign agency or orphanage. Many countries allow children to be adopted by parents from other countries because of substandard economic conditions in their own land. An adoption program like Home At Last provides opportunities not only for the children who are adopted but also for the children left behind. A portion of the fees paid by adopting parents help provide continuing support for children who live in the orphanage. This money has been put to excellent use, resulting in improved conditions for the children in the orphanages for which we are responsible. Fees and donations paid by adopting families are a significant incentive to continuing adoption in most countries.

When should we start the Home Study?

It is extremely important that the home study be started immediately. A home study can take up to 90 days to complete. It is recommended that you not begin the search to locate a child without a completed home study. Once the application and Home Study fees are received by Home At Last, a social worker will be assigned to begin your study.

The information presented in this packet is meant to provide you with a brief overview of the important elements of international adoption. This material should answer many of your questions and will probably raise others. Please carefully read all of the material in this packet. Additional information and clarification will be provided during the orientation and study process.

Home At Last is a private, non-profit organization. The agency depends solely on the fees paid by adoptive parents and the contributions of those who support our efforts on behalf of children.