When you adopt from Ukraine your home study must satisfy 3 government entities.
The best place to start is by understanding your state’s law. Who can do a home study? How are they licensed or authorized?
I suggest starting with your State Adoption Specialist/Manager. They are listed on the Child Welfare Information Gateway. It is run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is an excellent source for unbiased information.
State Adoption Specialist/Manager is a state employee. Their job is to answer and help adoptive parents. They have a solid understanding of their state’s adoption law.
There are so many variations on home study laws. You may be able to use a children’s psychologist or a private social worker. Or you may have to use a licensed adoption agency. In some states the home study provider’s licensing is the agency’s license.
While you are talking with the Adoption Specialist/Manager don’t forget to ask how you can verify licensing. Ask if they know anyone who does home studies in your area. Ask how you can check for any complaints against licensing.
You may run into advise that you must do an “international home study”. All they are saying is your home study must met US Immigration requirements. These requirements are found on the I-600A form.
Once you have narrowed down your candidates, you will want to interview them. Discuss your background and expectations.
Do you have a “moral turpitude” crime in your history? Do you have a large family (over 3 children)? Are you single? Do you want to adopt older children? Do you want to adopt 2 children at once? Are you adopting transracially?
You want to know if the home study provider will work with you. You are interviewing to see if this person is open. Will they fairly evaluate your choices and mistakes?
Should this person be experienced with writing international home studies or more specifically Ukrainian home studies?
They don’t have to be. Typically your adoption agency or facilitator will provide a list of items that must be in the home study.
For example:
Never use “the Ukraine”. This can be taken as an insult. Ukraine is a country and “the Ukraine” is when they were under Soviet rule.
But you should be comfortable with the person you are hiring. They will be poking their nose into your house and your finances. They will be providing information and education. You need to be willing to learn from this person.
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My daughter Natasha gave me permission to use her drawing above. The image is copyrighted by natasha.energy@gmail.com.