Home Study and Post-Placement Fee Schedule

• Screening, reviewing and processing the application
• Establishing AP’s file
• Addressing AP’s questions about the adoption and home study process
• Access to our easy to use Home Study Portal
• Personal guidance and support to AP with home study process

A home study is an educational tool to prepare AP to adopt a child and the appropriateness of the AP for adoptive placement. Home study approval is valid for twelve months.

Home study fee includes one or more of the following Services provided by the Agency: 

• Maintenance of file 
• Office visits and one home visit 
• Review and compiling of home study material; writing report 
• Core mission costs (scanning, copying, phone calls, standard postage, etc.)
• Coordinating/communicating between the attorney and court

It is important that the courts have the latest information about AP, so it is required to document Any changes during the twelve (12) month home study approval period. Some changes may require further interviews and home visit (e.g., changes in physical, emotional or mental health, changes in marital (or significant other) relationships, arrest, allegations of child abuse, loss or new employment, significant change in finances, move to a new home, a new individual or extended guest joining AP’s household, change of child approval, responding to an Immigrations Request for Evidence (RFE), Agency’s concern about the AP’s capacity to continue in adoption process, failure of AP to disclose critical information during the home study process, etc.).

Note: An addendum is simply documenting a change to your current home study after it has been approved, finalized and signed; it does not extend the expiration date.

An annual updated home study is needed if: AP has not received placement of a child within twelve months, the states of Kansas and Missouri require an update to extend the approval for a current home study for an additional twelve months; or if AP is switching from a domestic to an international adoption (or vice versa);

A home study update includes one or more of the following Services provided by the Agency:

• Maintenance of file
• One home visit 
• Review and compiling of updated home study material and writing report 
• Core mission costs (scanning, copying, phone calls, standard postage, etc.)

A full updated home study is needed if: AP is pursuing the adoption process for another child; or if Agency is updating another agency’s home study.

Full updated home study fee includes one or more of the following Services provided by the Agency:

• Re-establishing file
• Review of previous Home Study completed
• Access to our easy-to-use Home Study Portal
• Personal guidance and support to AP with home study process
• One home visit 
• Review and compiling of updated home study material and writing report 
• Core mission costs (scanning, copying, phone calls, standard postage, etc.)

Once AP adopts a child, the court or country of adoption requires post-placement/post-adoption visits 

Post-placement/post-adoption report fee includes one or more of the following Services provided by the Agency:

• One home visit
• Reviewing, preparing and writing report
• Communication during supervision period
• Core mission costs (scanning, copying, phone calls, standard postage, etc.)

Expedited Services

Expedited processing of Home Study or Post-Adoption/Post-Placement Reports for urgent adoption situations

• Expedited Processing of Home Study or Post-Adoption/Post-Placement Reports for urgent adoption situations. Expediting is necessary only when a placement or report is due in less than eight (8) weeks. Although Agency will make all reasonable efforts to complete the service in the required time, there can be no assurance the shortened time frame can be met. This service is available on a case-by-case basis.

Travel up to 60 miles Round Trip (RT) is included in the fees for home study and post-placement/post-adoption. A travel fee is charged for reimbursement to case workers for services provided further than 60 miles (RT) from Agency’s office or closest regional case worker. If an overnight stay is required, there will be an additional Hotel/Meal expense fee of $200 to cover the cost.

If AP is searching for children available for adoption on public foster care photo listing sites, Agency will advocate for AP throughout the public searching and matching process. Note: Family must have completed home study with Agency and taken state foster care training prior to this service being available to AP.

If AP has an adoption situation that falls outside of the fee schedule, they can hire Adoption & Beyond for an hourly rate of service.

Agency’s attendance at court hearing(s) with AP. 

Court hearing fee includes one or more of the following services provided by the Agency:

• Present at the court hearing via teleconference or in person
• Reviewing post-placement reports from out-of-state agency 
• Writing court report (if applicable)
• Coordination with all adoption professionals 
• Preparing court documents needed from agency

State and Federal Criminal Background Checks/Finger Printing

State Child Abuse Checks

National Sex Offender Checks

Online Adoption Education Courses

You are required to complete a number of on-line adoption education courses together (approx. $100-$286). The number of courses varies depending on type of adoption AP is pursuing (e.g., Domestic, International, Special Needs, Trans-racial, etc.). Note: One course required for domestic adoption is sponsored by Adoption & Beyond.

Documents

(e.g., copies of birth certificates, marriage certificate, divorce decree)

Employment Verifications

If your employer contracts with a third-party for employment verification to be completed

Health Exam