Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT
DOES FLORIDA LAW REQUIRE TO APPROVE US FOR A CHILD?
-
An interview with the intended adoptive
parents
- Record checks on intended parents'
backgrounds (abuse and criminal)
- An assessment of the home
- Evaluation of the financial security
of the intended parents.
- Counseling and education of the
intended parents on adoptive parenting
- Information on adoption process and
support services
- References
- Health information
AFTER WE HAVE A
CHILD IN OUR HOME, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
-
There are a minimum of two visits with the
intended parents and child
- There is a 90-day supervisory
period.
- A final recommendation is made to
the court.
WHAT
IS AN ADOPTION HOME STUDY?
A home study is a review of
you, your spouse, or anyone else residing in your home. Every
adoption (unless you are related) requires a home study. It highlights
items such as relationships, interactions with children, your
neighborhood, and your childhood. Initially the home study process
frightens some families until they actually complete one. We try
to make the process both easy and relaxing. The home study helps
the courts and our agency determine if a stable and suitable environment
exists for a family to receive an adoptive placement. Collecting
all the documents for the home study can be time consuming. Items
such as a marriage license and birth certificates are required
to legally confirm your identity.
WHAT ARE
POST-PLACEMENT SUPERVISION VISITS?
Post-placement supervision
visits are follow-ups to the home study. It consists 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 will complete the required number of post-placement
visits, which varies from state to state.
WHAT IS AN
UPDATE?
An update is a required addition to
the home study in the event of any major life changes or after a
certain amount of time has passed (usually one year) until your final
adoption hearing. For example, imagine a child is placed with you
tomorrow, and the state allows the final hearing in 60 days, if your
home study were only six months old, you would not need an update if
the home study is valid for a year.
After your home study
is completed, it must remain current until you receive an adoptive
placement. Your home study professional will explain the process for
updating your home study. Typically, home studies should be updated at
least once a year. Some states actually require home studies to be
updated more frequently than once a year. Your home study professional
can provide you with update information.
A home study update is
necessary for the following reasons
WHEN SHOULD
WE START THE HOME STUDY?
Florida law requires that a preliminary
home study be completed prior to a child being placed in your home.
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