The adoption process can be as confusing as it is rewarding. We are here to help. Below are the most frequently asked questions. We update the list often, however, it is possible we may not have answered your question. Please feel free to ASK A QUESTION on our Contact page.
View printable verison(.pdf) of FAQ's
First, please know that we have also adopted and understand how you are feeling! The adoption process can be scary and overwhelming. We are here to help! Please email us at: info@caringadoption.com or call us at: (484) 494-0235.
A home study agency is a licensed agency in your home state that completes a home study for an adoptive family. The home study agency MUST be licensed in the state where the family resides. The placing agency, is a licensed agency that matches a child with the family. The family can use ANY placing agency, private attorney, or adoption facilitator in the United States to match them with a child. The placing agency, private attorney, or adoption facilitator does NOT need to be in the family’s home state.
Yes. Caring Adoption Associates is a fully licensed child welfare and adoption agency in the state of Pennsylvania. We are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to provide child placement services and adoption services, including home studies and post placement visits after the child arrives home.
No, this choice is up to you. All three options allow families to get matched with a child. Each option has pros and cons. Typically, agencies have more children available for matching because they work with a larger number of birth mothers. Some families turn to private adoption attorneys or adoption facilitators to match them with a child. Attorneys and adoption facilitators can often offer more personalized service because they work with a smaller number of families each year.
One of the great things about adoption is that you have many choices available to you! It is important to choose a reputable placing agency. One of the best things families can do is ask the agency for references of other families who have used their services. This should give you a better idea of what to expect from the adoption process from another family’s point of view. Caring Adoption Associates has also worked with a number of placing agencies and can talk with you to make agency recommendations based upon your needs. Please email us at: info@caringadoption.com or call us at: (484) 494-0235 for more information.
One of the best ways of doing this is by getting information from other families who have utilized the attorney’s or facilitator’s services. You can also email us at: info@caringadoption.com or call us at: (484) 494-0235 for additional information.
We ask that you email, fax, or mail the Face Sheet and the Autobiographies to us once they are completed. We can then schedule the home study visit.
Generally we can come to meet with you at your home within two weeks of when you decide to retain the agency’s home study services.
We only require that you have the agency Face Sheet and Autobiographies completed. These should be emailed, faxed, or mailed to us prior to the home visit. The remaining required documents below can be provided to us at your earliest convenience.
The links below are provided for your convenience. You are not required to obtain new certificates, if you already have possession of the official certificate. Criminal checks must be no older than 6 months.
- Copies of birth certificates for all family members living in the home.
- Copy of marriage certificate, if applicable.
- Copy of divorce decrees, if applicable.
- Pennsylvania Criminal Clearances for anyone 18 or over living in the home; these can be gotten online from the Pennsylvania State Police website or you may send for them via mail. You can print the form out from the website and mail it if you wish.
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearances for anyone 18 or over living in the home; you can get this form from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare's website.
- Three years’ of 1040 tax forms; only the first two pages.
- Three months of bank statements. Available from your bank or financial institution.
- Copy of deed to your home. Contact your mortgage company or county Recorder of Deeds
- Copy of your most recent mortgage statement. Available from your mortgage company.
- FBI clearances for anyone 18 or over living in the home. These are the second part of the PA child abuse clearances that are now required for all adoptions. You can find directions for obtaining these at: www.pa.cogentid.com
- Employer letters - need to be on company letterhead, signed, dated and indicate the date of hire, current position, and current salary. View sample letter.
- Physicals for all family members living in the home.
- A completed financial sheet.
- Three to five references from family, friends, co-workers, or anyone close to you.
- Completed home study questionnaire for each adoptive parent.
The home study interview will be in your home, and usually takes approximately 2-3 hours. Additional interviews may be required depending on the type of adoption pursued and the specific requirements of an additional agency assisting you in the adoption placement of a child.
All adults and children residing in the home must be present. Individual interviews are required to occur with family member in the home. Children under the age of 10 will not be interviewed individually. Rather, they will be observed. Additional interviews will then be held with the couple and entire family unit.
If no young children are residing in the home at the time of the interview, precautionary safety measures are not required.
The release date of the report primarily depends upon you. The required home study supporting documentation may take you four to six weeks to gather. The final written report cannot be completed until all supporting documents have been completed. Once this information is received, the final report will be released.
We are confident that we will provide you with superior home study services at a reasonable fee. Please contact the agency by e-mail at: mfischermsw@hotmail.com or phone us at 1-484-494-0235 to discuss our fees.
Yes!!! Please do not hesitate to contact the agency at:
info@caringadoption.com or at
1-484-494-0235 with any adoption related questions, even if you are currently working with another agency.
Often families may be in need of home study addendums or home study updates to continue their adoption process. Caring Adoption Associates is able to assist families who may be in need of these services at a reasonable cost.
Yes. Caring Adoption Associates is license to provide post-placement services for both domestic and international adoptions. The timing of the visits will be determined by your placing agency.
The home study and post placement fees are due at the time of the home study and each post placement visit.
The agency’s adoption staff realizes that waiting for an adoption referral and completing the adoption process can be stressful. For this reason, we recommend reading relevant adoption materials, joining an adoption support group and perhaps most importantly participate in a class to be infant and child CPR certified.
Caring Adoption Associates is able to offer post placement services, at a reasonable cost, to families who are unable to receive these services from the original home study agency. Families interested in this service are asked to contact Caring Adoption Associates directly to request further information.
Caring Adoption Associates is able to offer post placement services, at a reasonable cost, to families who are unable to receive these services from the original home study agency. Families interested in this service are asked to contact Caring Adoption Associates directly to request further information.
Yes! Caring Adoption Associates will contact the additional agencies a family may be working with and will attempt to meet any special request or requirements of the primary placing agency.
