For Adoptive Families

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Adoption, the act of becoming the legal parents to a child whose birth parents are unable to fulfill that role, is a wonderful thing. The social workers at Heart of Texas Home Studies are passionate about adoption and committed to completing quality reports, including pre and post-placement adoption evaluations, in a timely manner. We understand that an adoption involves many emotions and can be stressful for families, so our desire is to make the completion of the home study as smooth and simple as possible.     

SERVICES OFFERED

Heart of Texas Home Studies can write a home study in Austin and surrounding areas for all types of adoptions including:

 - Domestic Adoption

 - Agency Adoptions*

 - Identified/Private Adoptions

 - Stepparent Adoptions

 - Second-Parent Adoptions

 - Relative Adoptions

 *If working with an agency, please confirm that they will work with a private home study provider.

Heart of Texas Home Studies also provides home study updates, post-placement services and finalization reports for the court.  

FEES

Single, Stepparent or Second-Parent Adoption Home Study in Austin:   $650*

Traditional two-parent Adoption Home Study in Austin:   $800*

Post Placement Services: Fees vary based on number of meetings and reports required 

*A travel fee may apply.

THE FIRST STEPS  

Before the home study interviews are scheduled, the following documents are typically requested. Most are required to be verified per Texas Family Code. There is some variance depending on the type of adoption.

- Driver's License or passport

- Social Security Card or passport

- Birth Certificates for all family members

- Marriage License (if applicable)

- Divorce Decrees (if applicable)

- 3 Reference Letters

- Budget Sheet

- Letter from employer, Most Recent Tax Return or Pay Stubs

- Short autobiography

-A form from your doctor 

-A reference from your therapist and/or psychiatrist, if applicable 

 Three background checks will be requested:

- DPS State Criminal History Clearance Check

- FBI Background Check

- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (Central Registry) Check

Prior to submitting paperwork or payment, please let us know if you have any criminal or CPS history so that we can determine if it would prevent us from being able to approve your home study.

HOME STUDY INTERVIEW

Heart of Texas Home Studies strives to build a positive rapport with our clients, helping adopting families feel comfortable sharing the details of their lives in a supportive, confidential environment. After we have the required paperwork, we will complete the home study interviews in your home. The meeting will include a tour of the home and interviews with children (if applicable). The home study interviews usually take about two hours and will include a joint/couple interview (if applicable), and individual interviews with each household member. 

The following topics are required, per Texas Family Code, to be discussed with adopting parents during the home study interviews:

- Childhood Experiences

- Family Relationships

- Marriage Relationship

- Financial Information

- Health Status of Family Members

- Childrearing Experience or Expectations

- Home environment

- Personal experience with adoption

- Opinions and views of birth parents

- Comfort level with openness (on-going contact with birth parents)

- Comfort level with certain risk factors in the background of the child

Click here to see answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

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