Adoption Study (3 COPIES OF REPORT INCLUDED*)$1,500.00

Intake fee (due at the time of application):$ 250.00

Assessment fee (due at the initial home visit):$1250.00

The adoption study is a written assessment of the prospective adoptive family and home which includes:

Home visits (3)*

  • Initial home visit and interview with the prospective adoptive parents
  • Individual interview with each member of the prospective adoptive family
  • Complete inspection of the home to assess availability of space, safety, etc.
  • Review of the completed home study with the prospective adoptive parents

References

  • Character references from three friends and two relatives
  • Employer references

Employment verification and history

Motivation and understanding of adoption

Complete personal history of each prospective adoptive parent

  • Childhood- siblings, parents, discipline, value systems
  • Educational history
  • Hobbies/Interests
  • Strengths, weaknesses, personality, emotional/mental stability

Marriage

  • Marital history and information on current marriage relationship
  • Children

Family lifestyle

  • Structure, lifestyle, typical home life

Child rearing patterns- including philosophy and methods of discipline

Financial Situation

  • A copy of the last submitted federal return is required

Medical history*

  • Current physical on each member of the family (within one year)
  • Explanation of any medical diagnoses

Child abuse and neglect screening

Police background screening- fingerprint*

Some of the information gathered also comes from questionnaires that each prospective parent must complete. Additionally, copies of supporting documents will be needed to accurately complete the study. International adoption studies may require additional information; requirements vary by country.

Annual assessment updates are required until placement of a child or until the family withdraws from the program. The cost of the annual assessment update is $500.00.It is the adoptive family’s responsibility to keep their study current.

Post-placement Services(FEE IS DUE AT INITIAL VISIT) $ 600.00

Home visits

  • Monthly contact with 1 home visit every three months (6 months to finalization as per MO statute)
  • Additional visits for each 3-month period beyond 6 are billed at $ 250.00 per visit.
  • Additional home visits within each 3-month period can be scheduled as needed for $150.00 per visit.

Court Reports (one report for each home visit and 2 copies included*) Court appearances (if necessary)

  • Child’s birth and placement information
  • Child’s medical information such as well baby visits, concerns, progress
  • Family adjustment to placement including routine and sibling adjustment

Adoption Update (FEE IS DUE AT TIME OF INTAKE)$ 500.00

(3 COPIES OF THE REPORT INCLUDED*)

If transfer study, the initial assessment completed by the prior agency is required. Information must be current within one year.Please refer to the adoption study for the format and process.

Guardianship Suitability Study*** (2 COPIES OF THE REPORT INCLUDED*)$ 350.00

(Fee is due at the time of the home visit if not provided prior by petitioner’s lawyer)

The guardianship study includes:

Home visit

  • At least one home visit to assess condition, space, and safety standards

Police background screening (fingerprint checks are not generally required)*

Current physicals (within one year) if required*

***STUDIES VARY BY JURISDICTION. THE STUDY WILL BE COMPLETED ACCORDINGTO THE FORM AND GUIDELINES OF THE COUNTY OF JURISDICTION.

STARS/SPAULDING Conversion Study

Any family who wishes to convert their STARS/SPAULDING study to a private study may do so for the following fee:

  • Within 6 months of completion of study$1,125.00
  • Six to 24 months post completion of study$ 500.00

*Additional Expenses

Families living over 50 miles from the agency location will be charged for additional mileage at the current state rate.

Fees for medical expenses for physicals are not included. Payment for services rendered is the responsibility of the prospective adoptive family.

Fees for police screenings are not included. Payment for the service is the responsibility of the prospective adoptive family. Fees vary by type of screening and by state. Families who have resided in Missouri less than 5 years may be required to have clearances completed in prior states of residence.

Additional copies of studies and reports are $25.00 per copy.

Expedited study-completed in thirty days or less are $500.00 additional.

Interstate compact agreements are $300.00 additional.

Addendums to study after completion $150.00

Safety inspection $150.00

Methods of Payment

Cash

Money Order

Checks- made payable to Bringing Families Together

  • Accounts with checks returned for insufficient funds will be charged the bank handling fees incurred by our agency. The amount due will be the service fee plus any additional bank handling charges. Only money orders or cash will be accepted for accounts with checks returned for insufficient funds.
  • Post-dated checks will not be accepted.
  • Starter checks will not be accepted.
  • REPORTS WILL NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL ALL CHECKS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED AND PAYMENTS RECEIVED.

A late fee of $25.00 will be charged for each thirty (30) day period that payment is late.

Reports and assessments will not be released until services have been paid for in full.

Adoptive Father or GuardianAdoptive Mother or Guardian

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Service Fees – Revised 01/12