“Loving a Child has no Boundaries”

Dear Social Worker,

You provide a very important role in the adoption journey, and we would like to thank you for your services. Together, our combined efforts will produce a successfulplacement, and a happy home for a child in need.

Please visit theChildren’s House International on-line publicdatabase at:

Select ‘CHI Home Study Doc’s’ from the drop down menu to access a template for the Home Study report, as well as several documents you can utilize and reference during the Home Study process.

We encourage our families to learn as much as they can about international adoptions so they understand the process and feel confident about the decisions they make. All adoptive parents are required to complete at least 10 hours ofHague compliant adoptive parent training during the Home Study process. Adoption Learning Partners provide on-line courseswhich we suggest families use to complete this requirement. Information about Adoptive Learning Partners is posted on our database. We have found that both the family and the social worker benefit when parent training is completed in advance, so families should begin these courses BEFORE your Home Study interviews are completed. Please note that “Adoption Tax Credit”, “Becoming Your Child’s Best Advocate” and “Life Books” are not considered Hague required and would not apply to the 10 required hours. The family will be asked for an agency code when they sign up with Adoption Learning Partners, our code is: F204CH

We do accept parent training from other programs, as long as it covers all of the subjects required by the Hague convention. Please get prior approval for these types of training. Include both the courses taken, and the hours completed in the Home Study Report under the topic of: PREPARATION TO ADOPT.Please have the family send a copy of the training certificates to the case manager, to demonstrate their fulfillment of this requirement.

During the Home Study process we require you perform at least three interviews with the family; two interviews with both parents together, and one with each parent separately. At least one of these meetings must be conducted in their home and needs to include children and any other persons living in the home. A fourth interview is required for families adopting from China.

A Home Study Report template is available on our database;we request you use this as you write the Home Study Report. Please contact the appropriate CHI International Specialist if you have questions concerning any specific country requirements of the home study.

Children’s House International has a 3 person committee which reviews and approves of each Home Study report. Once you have completed a rough draft of the Home Study Reportprior to finalization of the report please email a copy to both the family (if your State allows this information to be shared with the family) and the Supervising Social Worker for our review and approval.

These documents are posted on the database for your reference and use:

  • Four Steps to Beginning AnInternational Adoption Information
  • Adoption Learning Partners Information
  • Supplemental CIS Questionnaire
  • Home Study Report Template
  • List of Post Adoption report requirements per country

Please also review the program letter of understanding corresponding with the program the family is adopting with. The letter of understanding can be found on the public database.

ACTION REQUIRED:

Please download the following from the database and send the completed documentsto our office with the approved Home Study Report:

  1. Interagency Agreement: This agreement states that your agency agrees to work with Children's House International, and outlines the basic responsibilities of each agency involved.
  1. International Adoption Process: This document needs to be reviewed with the family so they understand the nature of international adoption. Please note this includes very detailed information regarding “Who’s in Control” during the adoption process.
  1. Home Study Report Certification of the Adoptive Parents: Please review this document with the family, then have all relevant parties sign the agreement.
  1. Adoptive Parent Worksheet: This document prompts families to think about potential scenarios they may encounter once their child is home, and the available resources they have to respond to those situations. Please assist the family as they formulate their Parent Resource Plan.
  1. Guardianship Form: In the event the adoptive parents can no longer care for their children, this form ensures families have a plan to secure support and care for their children.

Please contact the appropriate case managerif you have any questions or issues opening, printing or completing these documents.

Below is our CHI Staff Directory, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding our services or placement procedures.

Best Regards,

Deborah S. Price, BSW

Executive Director

Children's House International

Washington Office: P.O. Box 1829, Ferndale, WA98248Utah Office: 3053 North Sage Loop B-2, Lehi, UT84043

Florida Office: 600 Thacker Avenue, Kissimmee, FL34741 Email: elephone: 360-383-0623

Revised 4-09