Let Me Begin by Saying That We Look Forward to Working with You

Hello Social Worker,

Let me begin by saying that we look forward to working with you.

As it is common practice, we have a template to help the home study agency working with the family to be guided in meeting all the state, federal, and country requirements.

We understand that the needs of each family are different. We understand that there are differences in state requirements.

Therefore, although this template is designed to help guide you, it is NOT to be exactly applied to each family the same way. Rather, it should be applied differently considering each family’s differences based on the social worker’s clinical evaluation of each family.

The primary objective in using a template, with fictional people and their fictional lives is to give the social worker of sense how much detail is needed each section.

In the template, we’ve used different colors.

The blue coloris used in order to get your attention on particular information which is important and we feel the social worker needs to spend the necessary time in these sections to communicate what the language means so that the adoptive parents understand it. It is upto the social worker then to work with each family to specify the particular language in each home study, based on his/her clinical evaluation of each adoptive parent.

The green coloraddresses sections where the social worker will have to implement their clinical judgement consistent with each family and apply the type of information in consideration of each family’s case. In green, there also may be some sections which will not apply to the family at all, such as, DUI, Arrests.

Highlighted in blue, is where we’ve made explanations and/or clarifications which are addressed to the social worker.

Again, let us stress that we understand each family is different and so are the circumstances for each study and its findings. We trust these will be portrayed to us with the special evaluation of the social workers’ clinical evaluation for each family.

If you have any questions, please let us know. We want to be involved in this process and we want to work together for the best interest of each family.

You can call me at: 704 527 7673

God Bless,

Nick Ratchev, MBA, Operations Manager

I know I previously said that this is just a fictional template, but before we get started, let me just say one more time that each statement in the home study needs to disclose the truth about the particular family.

HOME ASSESSMENT

Primary Provider: Saint Mary International Adoptions

Exempt Provider: this is your agency

Adoption Country: Bulgaria

The prospective adoptive parents are Mark Joseph and Tracy Frances Smith, married since June 17, 1995 residing as a family at 16 Pine Lane, Spring Ville, NC 28530.

They are the only residents of their household. Mark is a United States citizen by birth in the United States. Tracy is also a United States citizen by birth in the United States. They have met North Carolina’s six-month residency requirements (Mark has lived in North Carolina for one year and Tracy has lived in North Carolina for one year).

Detailed information is provided as follows:

Husband:Mark Joseph Smith

D.O.B:December 15, 1967

Place:Baltimore City, Maryland

Passport #:

Wife:Tracy Frances Smith

D.O.B:March 25, 1969

Place:Manitowoc County, Wisconsin

Passport#:

Additional adult household member: (including children that are away for college):

D.O.B:

Place:

Education:Mr.:Bachelor of Science in Biology

Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Mrs.:Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology

Masters degree in Health Administration

Occupation:Mr.:Physician Assistant, Carolina Medical Center

Mrs.:Health System Specialist, Mercy Hospital

Religion:Mr.:Catholic

Mrs.:Non-denominational

SUMMARY OF CONACTS

Home visit and group interview with Mark and Tracy: 6-13-15

Individual face to face interview with Tracy: 6-12-15 in the agency’s office (or in the applicants’ house)

Individual face to face interview with Mark: 6-12-15 in the agency’s office (or in the applicants’ house)

Second group interview with Mark and Tracy in the agency’s office: 6.25.15

Individual face to face interview with Josiah (10 years old biological son) in the family home: 6-13-15.

Individual face to face interview with any additional adult household member:6.15.15

(Including children that are10 years or older and even away for college. In case the

Children are away for college, the interview is not strictly necessary to be face to face; it can be on the phone but the home study needs to state that it was on the phone and the reason for that.)

Numerous contacts via telephone and email stating May 12, 15 until finalization of home study on: 7.15.15.

MOTIVATION FOR ADOPTION

Mark and Tracy were married in 1994. Having a family with children is a natural part of the plan they have for their life together.

Due to infertility issues they have not conceived biologically and would like to add children to their family through adoption. Mark and Tracy agree that adoption is the option they want to pursue.

They want to provide a loving, stable and supportive family life for children who do not have one. They know and have experienced the true joy that children bring into your life from children of family and friends, and they want to extend their family through adoption. Mark and Tracy each stated that their lives have been blessed, and they want to share their blessings with children. They are thrilled about their decision to adopt and are excited about being involved in the adoption process.

They have chosen to pursue a foreign adoption because they believe this need is much greater abroad. Mark and Tracy desire to adopt children from the country of Bulgaria because of Tracy’s European and Mark’s Slavic heritage. They also like the country and they are already knowledgeable about the Bulgaria culture, people, and traditions.

Friends and family members are supportive of their adoption plan. They will provide help in the form of welcoming the child into their home and family traditions as though the child were born biologically from Mark and Tracy.

The following language is consistent with the adoption education courses. The social worker shall discuss with the family, the family’s thoughts and understanding of the information provided in the preparation course. The social worker shall then consider the language below, discuss it with the family, and decide if anything needs to changed, and or added, to reflect the family’s situation.

Mark and Tracy understand adoption risks such as emotional vulnerability, delays, and the possibility of the child’s inadaptability that may arise after the placement has been made. Mark and Tracy have also been informed about the issues related with children who have been institutionalized or in foster care. They understand the dynamics of child abuse and neglect and how any abuse or neglect they personally may have suffered in the past may affect a child they are parenting who has been abused or neglected. This worker believes that they are adequately prepared to parent a child who has been abused or neglected. It is this worker’s opinion that Mark and Tracy’s motivation for adoption will have a positive effect on their ability to parent an adopted child.

Note to social worker: Again, this is an example. If the family is looking to adopt just one child, or upto three, or whatever the case may be, than the language in green needs to change to reflect the family’s situation. The age may also need to change per family’s wishes, social worker evaluation and foreign country requirements.

Mark and Tracy are looking to adopt up to two children of either sex, up to four years of age, healthy or with special needs without any specific restrictions on a case by case basis from the Convention country of Poland.

The language below, is a good opportunity for the clinical worker to grasp a sense of how well the family has been prepared as a result of taking the Hague required adoption classes. In addition, this is a good opportunity for the family to learn more about these issues common to international adoption, and Bulgaria’s region in particular as provided in the education course (1hr on Bulgaria). The family and the social worker shall work together to determine which issues they would be open to, and which ones they wouldn’t be able to handle. The social worker should provide assistance, clinical advice, and discuss his/her clinical evaluation in the home study in regards to the specific description of the child that the social worker approves to be placed with the family.

Mark and Tracy will consider all medical and behavioral conditions that include; history of poor prenatal care, no family history available, history of ear infections, malnutrition, delays in speech, umbilical hernia, developmental conditions, ears/hearing problems, genital/urinary/intestinal problems, orthopedic abnormalities, prematurity, birth weight less than five pounds, history of respiratory infections, heart murmur, birthmarks or scarring, mild infant rickets, cranial/facial abnormalities, digestive problems, poor vision or eye problems, heart conditions, anemia, epilepsy, FAS, hypertension, arthrogyposis, hepatitis B & C or undescended testis. This worker believes that Mark and Tracy understand the difficulties of raising a child with any issues and that they are willing to access all services benefiting the child. It is the opinion of this caseworker that Mark and Tracy understand an adopted child may experience identity problems and separation and loss issues as he or she grows. They are willing to seek counseling for the child should the need arise.

The language in green is highlighted in this color to bring it to your attention, as it reflects an opinion which the social worker shall be willing to stand behind, or if not, adjust the language to reflect the family’s situation consistent with the worker’s clinical evaluation.

In case the family is adopting a child from the Bulgarian “Waiting Child List” please include the entire medical information that was presented to the family at the time of the acceptance of the waiting child.

In case the family is applying for “Traditional” adoption, please include all of the medical conditions from the “Consideration Check-List” that the family will be accepting and you are approving them for. That is important because the Bulgarian Central Authority will propose the referral based on that information. It is very important the family to fill out the “Consideration Check-List” and for you to discuss with them the medical conditions from that list.

Note to social worker: Again, this is an example. If the family is looking to adopt just one child, or upto three, or whatever the case may be, than the language in green needs to change to reflect the family’s situation. The age may also need to change per family’s wishes, social worker evaluation, and foreign country requirements.

Mark and Tracy are interested in adopting upto two children of either sex under the age of four yearshealthy or special needs without any specific restrictions on case by case basis.

ADDRESSING THE CONVENTION COUNTRY

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

This language below is in blue because it addresses the foreign country requirements. If the family does not agree with, and be willing to comply with the Bulgarian requirements, they will not be able move forward.

Although, these requirements have been disclosed to the family, and they have already been discussed before they’ve become our agency’s clients, please remind them of the age requirements of Bulgaria stated below. If the family has any questions, or any doubt about these requirements, please note their file to indicate this, and please direct them to us for further explanations and clarification if needed.

According to 8CFR 204.311(q) the adoptive parent has to meet the Convention country of Bulgaria’s specific requirements.

The adoptive parents must be at least 15 years older than the adoptive child. Bulgaria does not have a specific length of marriage requirement. Single women may also apply to adopt. Bulgarian adoption authorities do not have any specific income requirements. As long the adoptive parents are approved by CIS and have their CIS approval, it serves as the criteria for eligibility to that regard.

The adoptive parents have to make the trips to Bulgaria (two trips are required at this time), the first to meet the child, the second to finalize visa issuance procedure and bring the child home. The adoptive parents need to apply for adoption with all of the documents required by Bulgarian Central Authority and Courts; the documents have to be submitted in original and they must be translated and apostilled. The adoptive parents need to keep the documents current by updating them according to the US and Bulgarian legal requirements. The adoptive parents are required to attend the US Embassy’s visa interview for the adopted child and to submit all of the required documentation.

In light of those specific requirements and all facts relevant to the adoptive parent’s eligibility for adoption in the Convention country of Bulgaria this social worker confirms that Mark and Tracy Smith are suitable to adopt from the Convention country of Bulgaria.

DESCRIPTION OF ADOPTIVE PARENTS

SOCIAL SUMMARY OF ADOPTIVE FATHER

In this section, we kindly ask that each family member has their own, separate paragraph.

As the rest of the template, this section is very much functional. The characters and their lives are made up. However, we’ve done this to communicate the amount of detail that is appropriate to discuss family members, their situations, their relationships. Again, this is just a suggestion. If the social worker feels that there are circumstances that shall be given more attention and lengthier description, please use your clinical judgement to do so at any place.

I have personally seen Mark Smith and I have personally spoken to him alone.

Mark Smith was born December 15, 1967 in Baltimore City, Maryland. He is the older of two children born to Kevin and Melanie Smith.

In each section, there needs to be a statement regarding the history of mental health and substance abuse issues. In our example, no one has these issues. HOWEVER, if they are applicable to the family members, please disclose that in detail including when it started, how it has been treated, and if it has been resolved, how it was resolved.

Each person of the relatives shall be asked the question whether they are supportive of the adoptive family’s decision to pursue international adoption.

Mr. Kevin Smith is sixty-six years old at the writing of this document. He is in good health with no history of mental health or substance abuse issues. He has a high school education and computer certification. Mark’s father is described as being very loving, outgoing, and loyal to his family. He is retired from his job as a civilian employee with the Department of the Army in the Corps of Engineers. He has always been devoted to and involved in the life of his family. He is supportive regarding the adoption and accepts being a grandfather to children not born to his son’s wife.

Mrs. Melanie Smith is sixty-five years old at the writing of this document. She is in good health with no history of mental health or substance abuse issues. She has a high school education. Mark’s mother is described as being very loving and outgoing. She is a homemaker who also worked some as a secretary to help provide for the family. She has always been devoted to her family and involved in her children’s school activities. She is supportive regarding the adoption and accepts being a grandmother to children not born to her son’s wife.

Mark’s father and mother have been married for 45 years and currently reside in Peoria, Illinois. The family maintains a close relationship. Mark has always maintained an excellent relationship with his father and mother. He demonstrates great respect for both of his parents. Mark maintains contact with his father and mother through frequent visits and telephone calls.

Mark has a younger sister, Mary Thurman. Mary is 42 years old at the time of this document. She is married to Hugh Thurman. Mary and her husband have three children together. The family lives in Pasadena, Maryland. Mary is employed as a dental hygienist and her husband is employed as an engineer. Mark describes his sister as very supportive and loving. They continue to have a close relationship and visit each other frequently. Mark and Tracy enjoy spending time with their children and often take the children to theme parks and other activities.

There are no reports of substance abuse, mental illness or health problems with Mark’s sister or her family. She is supportive regarding the adoption and accepts being an aunt of children not born to her brother’s wife.

Mark recalls his childhood with fond memories. He grew up in Pasadena, Maryland. The town provided a high quality and secure way of life. Mark’s family was traditional in practice and belief. As a child, Mark was taught the importance of respect, honesty, responsibility, dependability and family. He was also involved with and excelled in academic clubs. Mark was an excellent student in school.

If the adoptive father or/and mother has European / Bulgarian heritage, please include a paragraph which describes how the traditions were kept in the family in each of their sections (if applicable) for example. Below is just one example of how this could be done: