International Adoption Process and Home Study
Adoption Associates, Inc. is dedicated to international adoption. We work to establish relationships with foreign countries so children and adoptive parents can be united in a multi-cultural family.
Free Consultation
A private, free 1/2 hour consultation in person or by phone is available to individuals who would like to learn more about international adoption. If you decide to move forward to adopt, a preliminary application must be submitted which will generate the appointment for a mandatory International Adoption Awareness meeting in person or by phone. The topics addressed in the International Adoption Awareness meeting include risks surrounding the health of the child, paperwork, and travel, as well as specific country information on processing and fees. After completing the International Adoption Awareness meeting, you may submit the International Formal Application to begin your adoption journey.
Caseworker and Consultant Assigned
For Michigan families, after AAI has received your formal application, a caseworker will be assigned. A caseworker is a social worker. Your caseworker is responsible to contact you to schedule home study meetings, explain the home study process, and review required paperwork. Non-Michigan families will submit the home study completed in their state. After addressing the specific topics of the home study as cited earlier, all questions or concerns regarding the home study should be directed to your assigned caseworker. A consultant will also be assigned to all families. His or her role is to guide the process of acquiring USCIS approval, prepare the dossier, inform and update, prepare the family for travel, support through the adoption, and provide post adoption support.
Education about International Adoption
Before adopting internationally, prospective adoptive parents must be educated on various topics and experiences that they, their family, and the adopted child may encounter. Adoption Associates, Inc. requires that each family has at least twelve hours of training on these six topics: Adoption Preparation, Attachment Issues, Grief and Loss, Becoming a Multi-cultural Family, Adoptive Parenting, Discipline and Child Development, and Stress and Anger Management.
AAI will ask for verification that this training and the home study has been completed before the dossier will be sent to the country from which they plan to adopt.
In addition, the agency also provides each family with information that includes AAI’s policy and procedures, educational materials, country specific information, instructions to apply for your child’s birth certificate, social security card, and proof of citizenship upon returning to the U.S.; as well as recommended reading lists and support group information.
Home Study
What is it?
A home study is required by the state and federal governments. Individuals who are interested in adopting internationally are required to submit an approved home study by an adoption agency in their state of origin to AAI (for out of state families) and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in their state of origin for their review and approval.
Home Study Interview
Home studies completed by Adoption Associates, Inc. usually consist of three or four interviews involving the adoptive parents and a caseworker, lasting approximately one hour each, and addressing the following topics: motivation and understanding of adoption, home study process, the child desired, social history of both adoptive parents, children in the home, other persons in the home, marriage and family lifestyle, child care and child rearing philosophy, employment, financial and health information, home and community, references, and clearances. The caseworker will make an assessment that results in a recommendation regarding the adoptive parents’ ability to care for an adopted child or children.
Adoptive applicants must submit: four names of personal references, one employer reference, medical summaries, and a state police clearance including a Department of Human Services background check for child abuse and neglect. The references will be contacted by your home study caseworker and asked for a confidential letter. It takes approximately eight to ten weeks to complete the home study process and the home study report.
Post Adoption Support
In order to promote good will with the international courts and help children who remain behind, please send post adoption reports when notified. You cannot imagine the impact these reports have on inter-country adoption. This is another way you as a family can help even more children.
Based on country requirements, post adoption reports are either self-completed by the family or written by your home study caseworker based on a visit with the family. These reports are to be completed in a timely manner and then forwarded to the appropriate country in order to provide the officials with the reassurance that the children have transitioned and that they are being cared for in an appropriate manner.
Additional Services
Adoption Associates, Inc. also provides home studies for persons wanting to do a parent-initiated international adoption or an adoption through another agency. Advice and assistance in accomplishing the adoption beyond the home study is available on an hourly fee basis. If the agency will be required to make a formal supervisory report, there will be a set cost plus mileage and travel time at the agency rate.
NOTE: If you are a non-Michigan resident, or a Michigan resident with a home study completed by another licensed agency, we will be happy to work with you.
Due to the nature of international adoption, the information on this page is subject to change without notice.
