Homestudy vs. Foster-adopt license?

[curliemama]

I have a question. I hope it doesn't sound stupid.

If we complete our home study but are still working on the classes for our foster-adopt license, will our home study be good for a private/independent adoption? We may end up going that route, so I was just curious. If I am asked whether our home study is done (once it's done, that is), should I say yes even though the foster-adopt licensing process won't be over yet at that point? I lean towards, "Yes," but I want to make sure.

Thanks in advance!

[Polliwog]

Are you talking about the state homestudy for licensing? In my state, that homestudy belongs to the state. If you want to use it for other types of adoption, you'd have to buy it from the state (I think.)

[Sierra]

In my former state, the preface to the homestudy said that this homestudy was for state foster-adoptions only. In my current state, I'm not sure whether it is exclusive to foster-adoptions.

I think states have made an effort in recent years to reduce the chances that folks will come in and get a homestudy for free through them only to take it somewhere else for a private adoption. At one point books were even suggesting parents do that as one "money saving" tip (I know because I have a couple old books that say that), and I can only imagine it was getting out of hand.

[curliemama]

Originally Posted by Sierra

In my former state, the preface to the homestudy said that this homestudy was for state foster-adoptions only. In my current state, I'm not sure whether it is exclusive to foster-adoptions.

I think states have made an effort in recent years to reduce the chances that folks will come in and get a homestudy for free through them only to take it somewhere else for a private adoption. At one point books were even suggesting parents do that as one "money saving" tip (I know because I have a couple old books that say that), and I can only imagine it was getting out of hand.

I assumed this would be the case, but when I asked the social worker about it, she said this is the only home study we would have to have done as far as the state is concerned to adopt in our state. Granted, if we at some point worked with a non-state agency, they would want a home study, but we are considering a private/independent route provided we are matched with a birth mother (and provided we get funding through a private grant program we are investigating).

[queenjane]

I have a homestudy through a private agency, but they are contracted to place state kids, and the homestudy was free. I can use the homestudy to adopt kids from other states. I'm not sure if i can use it for a private placement...i think it would be up to the discretion of the agency (as they would basically be eating the cost of the homestudy)...they might ask me to pay for it if i chose to do that, and i dont think they would to post-placement supervision on a private adoption. Not sure though. I've thought about it, esp when i inquired on a couple babies listed on Spence Chapin's site.


Katherine