Adoption Home Studies
As a licensed agency, we provide full adoption home study and post placement services to Pennsylvania residents who are looking to adopt either domestically or internationally. You do not have to adopt though our agency to utilize these services.
Our Adoption Home Study Steps:
- request and complete our home study questionnaire
- submit the additional required documents
- schedule your home visit with one of our case workers
- review the draft of your home study report
- follow up phone call with your case worker to finalize your report
An adoption home study is an evaluation written by a licensed agency detailing your family's suitability to become adoptive parent(s). This report is submitted to the Court and is a legal requirement for every adoption. The report must be completed prior to placement of a child in public, private, interstate, and international adoptions. The home study report describes your childhood, education, career, marriage/domestic partnership, experience with children, parenting philosophy, home and neighborhood, finances, health, and the type of adoption situation your are looking for. The information in this report is complied from your completed questionnaire, home interview, and the following required documents: birth certificates, marriage license, divorce decree(if applicable), copy of most recent W-2 forms, child abuse and criminal record clearances, physical exam forms, and 4 letters of recommendation from family and friends. While this all may sound intimidating, the intent of the adoption home study is to support and prepare the adopting family for the adoption process and placement of a child. The home study is confidential, only to be submitted directly to the court or referring agency. It is not shared with the birthparents.
We at A Baby Step Adoption wish to make your home study experience as quick and simple as possible. Parenting classes are at the option and desire of the adoptive parent. We are able to complete the home study process in as little as a month or two if all required documents are received.
After a child has been placed in your care, post-placement reports must be completed and submitted to the Court before your adoption can be legally finalized. Your case worker will visit you and your baby in order to make sure the baby is healthy and adjusting well to your family and that you are adjusting well to parenthood. The number of required reports depends on what state the adoption is going to be finalized in. If you are finalizing in Pennsylvania, 3 reports are required.
We also offer adoption home study updates for those families who have had a home study completed but it is set to expire. This process is faster and less expensive than a full adoption home study.
