Florida Home Studies and Adoption -- International Adoption


		Florida Residents Home Study Services FHSA provides quality home studies for Florida families adopting domestically (Florida) and internationally. FHSA has assisted families adopting from Cambodia, China, Guatemala, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Korea, Nepal, Romania, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine and Vietnam among others. Home studies for international adoption are complex. They must meet requirements or obtain approval from: State of Florida United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Child's Country of Birth FHSA works in conjunction with your chosen agency to ensure all necessary requirements for your home study are met. :: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Q. How do I begin with FHSA? A. Request an information packet by mail or download the application and other forms from our website. Then simply mail in your application with the appropriate fees. We will then contact you to set up your first home study appointment. Q. What is a home study? A. It is an objective and narrative report based on supportive documentation, interviews, and background clearances which assesses a family's ability to parent an adopted child. Q. What is involved in a home study? A. Home studies require several meetings with a home study provider. At least one visit must take place inside your home. You will be interviewed and asked to gather supporting documentation. Q. How much does a home study cost? A. The cost of a home study can vary from state to state and from agency to agency. For specific information about FHSA home study costs, please contact us by e-mail or call us at (941) 342-8189. Q. Why do I need a Home Study? A. If you are seeking to adopt internationally, a home study is required by the State in which you reside, by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the country from which you are adopting. If you are adopting domestically in the State of Florida, part of the process requires that the adopting family submit a favorable home study. Q. What should I look for in a home study provider? A. Look for a kind, friendly person who has experience writing home studies. Don't hesitate to ask for their educational background, experience writing home studies, and references. Experience can make a huge difference whether or not a country or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept your home study. Additionally, many countries require the home study provider be employed by a licensed adoption agency and not an independent social worker. FHSA can assist you with your home study if you reside in the State of Florida. If you reside outside of Florida, check the listing of recommended home study agencies. Q. What is the home study provider looking for when she comes to my home? A. In general, she is making sure you have room for a baby or a child in your home. She is not coming with a white glove, nor will she be looking under your beds. You do not need to have the baby's room ready, but you should have plans for where the baby will sleep and a clear idea how you will baby-proof your home. If you have a pool, you must meet the State of Florida regulations for pool safety. Guns must be kept locked in a safe, with the ammunition stored and locked separately. Q. What if I have pets? A. We like pets and are aware that most people have them. There is no need to hide them. Q. Do I have to write an autobiography? A. No, you do not. At Florida Home Studies and Adoption Inc., we believe it is our job to write the information for you. During your interview, the home study provider will take careful notes as you answer questions. (NOTE: If you are using a home study agency other than FHSA, you may be asked to write an autobiography depending on their specific requirements or regulations.) Q. What kinds of questions will be asked? A. Questions like the following: Did you enjoy school as you were growing up? What activities were you involved in? How are your relationships with your parents and siblings? How do you resolve disagreements with your spouse? In what ways do you discipline your child? What do you view as your parenting style? If this is your first child, what exposure have you had with children? What are your childcare plans? What are your hobbies and interests? Q. What are you looking for when you ask about finances? A. Your home study provider is simply making sure a baby will not cause a financial burden. You will be asked about your savings and checking accounts, mortgage or rent payments, bank loans, credit cards, and any other debts you have. You need to show that you are managing your finances in such a way as to be able to meet the needs of your adopted child. Q. What could cause me to get turned down for a home study? A. If you have an unstable marriage, a chemical dependency, a history of ongoing major mental illness, or been charged or convicted of a crime against a child or a violent crime, you will probably not be able to adopt a child. Have a question that is not answered above? Call or e-mail us anytime. We are happy to help answer your questions. :: CIS Fingerpints and I-171H Expirations Fingerprints and CIS approvals do Expire. If you are a waiting family and your fingerprints or I-171H (CIS approval) are about to expire, please click here for instructions. ::		Home Study Agencies in Other States FHSA can assist you with your home study if you reside in the State of Florida. For families residing outside of the State of Florida, below you will find a list of some out-of-state home study agencies. Though it is not mandatory to use an agency on this list, these agencies are familiar with USCIS and the international home study process. Alabama: Villa Hope 6 Office Park Circle, Suite 218 Birmingham, AL 35223 205-870-7359 California: Adoption Connection 2150 Post St. San Francisco, CA 94115 415-359-2494 Adoption Options 5353 Mission Center Rd., Suite 303 San Diego, CA 92108 619-294-7772 Delaware: Adoptions from the Heart 18-A Trolley Square Wilmington, DE 19806 302-658-8883 Georgia: AAA Partners in Adoption 5665 Hwy.9, Ste. 103-351 Alpharetta, GA 30004 770-844-2080 Hawaii: Journeys of the Heart PO Box 235600 Honolulu, HI 96822 808-391-5493 Idaho: CASI Foundation for Children 2308 No. Cole Rd., Suite E Boise, ID 83704 800-376-0558 Kentucky: Adoption Assistance 510 Maple Ave. Danville, KY 40422 859-236-2761 Kentucky Adoption Services 3808 So. Griffith Ave. Owensboro, KY 42301 866-543-7459 Maine: MAPS Adoption and Humanitarian Aid 277 Congress St. Portland, ME 04101 207-772-3678 Massachusetts: MAPS Adoption and Humanitarian Aid 400 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MA 02215 617-267-2222 or 866-397-6319 Wide Horizons for Children 38 Edge Hill Rd. Waltham, MA 02451 781-894-5330 New Hampshire: MAPS Adoption and Humanitarian Aid 1087 Elm St., Suite 506 Manchester, NH 03101 866-397-6913 New Jersey: Adoptions from the Heart 451 Woodland Ave. Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 856-665-5655 Homestudies and Adoptive Placement Services (HAPS) 668 American Legion Drive Teaneck, NJ 07666 201-836-5554 Jewish Family and Children's Services 1301 Springdale Rd., Suite 150 Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 856-424-1333 New York: Adoptions from the Heart 30-31 Hampstead Circle Wynnewood, PA 19096 610-642-7200 Baker Victory Services 780 Ridge Road Lackawanna, NY 14218 888-BVS 1160 North Carolina: Frank Adoption Center 2840 Plaza Place Raleigh, NC 27612 800-597-9135 Nathanson Adoption Services 7400 Carmel Executive Park Charlotte, NC 28226 704-553-9506 Oregon: All God's Children International 3308 NE Peerless Place Portland, OR 97232 800-214-6719 Associated Services for International Adoption 215 SW Hooker St., Suite 100 Portland, OR 97201 503-224-1860 Journeys of the Heart PO Box 39 Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-681-3075 PLAN Loving Adoptions Now 850 SE Booth Bend Rd. McMinnville, OR 97128 503-472-8452 Pennsylvania: Adoptions from the Heart 30-31 Hampstead Circle Wynnewood, PA 19096 610-642-7200 Living Hope Adoption Agency PO Box 579 Fort Washington, PA 19034 888-886-8086 Tennessee: Adoption Assistance 5006 Stonewood Dr. Smyrna, TN 37167 615-907-2767 Texas: Harrah's Adoption Internation Mission 6700 Woodlands Pkwy., Suite 230-306 The Woodlands, TX 77382 281-465-9990 Little Miracles International 3418-G Olsen Blvd. Amarillo, TX 79109 806-351-1100 Los Ninos International Adoption Center PO Box 9617 The Woodlands, TX 77387 888-567-6466 Virginia: Adoptions from the Heart 1407 Stephanie Way, Suite H Chesapeake, VA 23320 757-361-0008 Washington: Journeys of the Heart 332 NW Richmond Beach Rd. Shoreline, Washington 98177 206-274-6055 ::