Domestic Home Study
KidsFirst adoption is licensed through the State of Indiana to complete private domestic adoption home studies. KidsFirst is an expert in the field and has been providing home study services for over 20 years. A domestic home study entails a minimum of three interviews, jointly and individually, with prospective adoptive parents, background checks, inspection of the home, and education on adoption and trauma. The interviews and information gathered determine the family’s suitability and eligibility to adopt by collecting data on the identities, background, family and medical history, social environment, and reason for adopting. During a domestic home study process, the social worker will discuss with family common issues, stressors, and traumas that children adopted domestically might have been exposed to. The social worker will also discuss what types of adoption scenarios may be best for their home, family, and history.
International Home Study
KidsFirst is licensed through the State of Indiana and accredited under the Hague Convention to provide international adoption home studies for families in Indiana. International adoption home studies not only follow requirements of the state, but also immigration and Hague Convention laws and requirements. KidsFirst has been complying with these laws and regulations for over 25 years and takes great care to ensure families are prepared for adopting a child internationally. In addition to several interviews with a social worker, background checks, and medical clearance, families will take a minimum of 10 hours of preparation and education about common difficulties, traumas, and experiences of international adoption. KidsFirst is also prepared to support families adopting special needs children. This includes discussion on the particular special needs of the child and providing resources to families to further assist them with the particular special needs. The interviews and information gathered during the home study process determine the family’s suitability and eligibility to adopt by collecting data on the identities, background, family and medical history, social environment, and reason for adopting.
Step Parent Home Study
KidsFirst is licensed by the State of Indiana to provide home studies for stepparents interested in adopting their stepchild. Stepparents will go through a similar process to a domestic home study and participate in interviews with a social worker, background checks, education on adoption, and an inspection of the home. During the stepparent home study process, the social worker will discuss adoption issues specific to stepparent adoption, parenting challenges, and the role of an adoptive parent. Through the home study process, the social worker will determine the parent’s suitability and eligibility for adoption.
Relative Home Study
KidsFirst is licensed by the State of Indiana to provide home studies for families who are hoping to adopt a child of their relative. Relative home studies can include grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other family members who might be caring for a child. A home study for adoption requires the family to participate in interviews with a social worker, safety inspection of the home, background checks, and other paperwork to determine suitability for adoption. The social worker will education families on common challenges, traumas, and stressors that come with relative adoptions. The social worker and family will also discuss the complex family dynamics that develop when a relative adoption occurs and how to navigate those challenges with the best interests of the child. Through the home study process, the social worker will determine the parent’s suitability and eligibility for adoption.
Clearance Only
There are times in the adoption process where a home study may be waived by a judge and may only require background checks to be completed by the potential adoptive parents. This is most common with relative or stepparent adoptions. KidsFirst is able to complete all background checks required by the state for a family quickly. Once the results have been returned to the social worker, KidsFirst will provide a notarized letter to the family and attorney, summarizing the findings. Our agency aims to make this background check process as simple and straightforward as possible.