A home study is an evaluation of each potential adoptive family prior to the placement of a child in the home. An approved home study report will enable us to recommend you to the CCCWA to match you with a child. Therefore, the home study is an extremely important part of the adoption process. The purpose of a home study is to completely and accurately assess the readiness of an adoptive family to ensure the placement is made in the best interest of the adoptive child and the adoptive family.
The home study process includes a minimum four interviews by a CCAI social worker. At least one visit/interview will be in the adoptive family’s home. These interviews will help our social worker evaluate your adoption motivation, family background, marriage stability, financial ability, physical condition, understanding of parenthood, home and community environment, support system, and other relevant issues to determine your readiness for adoption.
It usually takes six to eight weeks for your social worker to complete your home study and write a home study report based on federal, state, and Chinese government requirements. A CCAI Child Placement Supervisor will approve the report before it goes to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Your home study will also be a part of your dossier that will go to the CCCWA in China.
CCAI’s social workers are experienced and dedicated professionals. As your home study providers, they will help support and prepare you for the most exciting journey of your life.
As adoptive applicants, you will need to choose a licensed, non-profit, and Hague or COA accredited agency from the CCAI Preferred Home Study Agency List for your state, to complete your home study. Your home study cannot be performed by an independent social worker or non accredited agency.
Considerations When Choosing a Home Study Agency:
- A licensed, non-profit, and Hague or COA accredited home study/adoption agency is required. If you select an agency that is not on the CCAI Preferred Home Study Agency List, your application approval process may lengthen as we will need to obtain an Exempt Provider Agreement from the agency you choose. For an official list of Hague accredited adoption agencies, please visit http://adoption.state.gov/hague_convention.php.
- Please click here for a list of preferred Home Study agencies in your state.
- Do some comparative “shopping.” Fees and services for home studies vary widely from agency to agency. Find out what specific services their fees will cover (i.e., number of home study visits, immigration filing assistance, mileage, post adoption visits/reports, etc.) and the length of time it will take to complete the home study.
- To complete your CCAI Application for Adoption, you will need to indicate the name of the home study agency you have chosen.
Once your application is approved, CCAI will provide you with a packet for your home study agency. This packet will assist them in meeting all of the necessary home study requirements.