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International Home Study Only Services
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Adoption-Link provides all international home study and provides post-placement / post-adoption services for Illinois residents in the greater Chicago and Bloomington/Normal areas who are planning to adopt a child.
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To apply for an international home study, please fill out the following application and then sign, date, and mail to Adoption-Link with a non-refundable check for $150.
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Download an Adoption-Link Application
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What is a home study?
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A home study is very much what its name implies. The home study is an assessment of a prospective adoptive
family's home environment and is conducted by a licensed adoption professional. This professional will review
autobiographical and health statements, documentation of income, child abuse and criminal clearances, personal
references, etc. Your Adoption-Link social worker will conduct a series of interviews including, but not
limited to, individual interviews with each member of the household, joint interviews with spouses, and a
home site inspection. Although this may feel a bit invasive, the purpose of the home study investigation is to
insure that the adopted child will join a safe, secure and loving family. Overall the home study will take
anywhere from 2-6 months to prepare. A family can help the process along by being flexible, available and
promptly returning paperwork.
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International Adoption Education
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10 hours (with at least 4 hours in person) of adoption education are required by Adoption Link, the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services and the Hague Convention to complete the home study process. Adoption-Link offers families a one day-long workshop Preparing for Adoption (6 hours) in Oak Park, registration
information provided by your social worker. There are other in person sessions available upon request. The
remaining 4-6 hours, if not completed in person, must be completed online. There are various course options
available through Adoption Learning Partners. These options should be discussed with your worker and based on
your specific adoption plans.
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Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) licensing
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All families whose children will travel to the United States on an IR4 (non-Hague countries) or IH4
(Hague countries) visa must be licensed as adopt only DCFS foster family homes. Adoption-Link will help
you complete the licensing process as part of the home study process. These families also MUST re-adopt
their children in the State of Illinois.
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Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) approval
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All international home studies completed in the State of Illinois must be approved by the Illinois Department of Children
and Family Services Intercountry Adoption Coordinator. Once Adoption-Link completes a favorable home study we will forward
the report to the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator for approval.
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United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
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Once your home study has been approved by DCFS, Adoption-Link will assist you with filing your completed I-600A (non-Hague country)
or I-800A (Hague country) application with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
To obtain USCIS adoption forms, visit the USCIS website: uscis.gov.
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Home Study Amendment or Update
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After a home study has been finalized and released, any significant changes in the prospective adoptive family’s situation or
in the recommendation for the type of child to be adopted or country you choose to adopt from will require a home study amendment,
which involves at least one visit from your social worker. If your home study is over a year old and a child
has not yet been placed with you, DCFS and USCIS require you to complete a home study update, which also
involves a current visit by your social worker.
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Post Placement/Post Adoption Services
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Post-Placement / Post-Adoption consists of home visits
and interviews conducted by your social worker. Adoption-Link requires a minimum of three post placement or post adoption
reports. The first report is due within the first thirty days of returning home with your child as required by the Illinois Department of Children
and Family Services. The timing of the 2 additional reports will be determined by your placing agency and/or specific
country requirements. Further visits and reports may also be required by your placing agency and/or country and will
be completed by Adoption-Link.
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Re-Adoption in the State of Illinois
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All families whose children will travel to the United States on an IR4 (non-Hague countries) or IH4
(Hague countries) visa must re-adopt their children in the State of Illinois although it is recommended
for all families to complete this process as well. Adoption-Link can offer information on highly qualified
adoption attorneys and will complete the Report of Investigation to submit to the court.
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What are the costs?
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Adoption-Link Fee Schedule
Application - $150
International Home Study - $2,400
6 hour Preparing to Adopt Training session - $130/per couple
4 hours of online training through Adoption Learning Partners - $50/per couple
Home Study Amendment - $250
Home Study Update - $250
Home Study Update (extensive >3 yrs) - $900-$1,500
Home Study Update (if original home study completed by another agency) - $2,400
Post Placement/Post Adoption Visits/Reports - $250/each
Report of Investigation - $250
Travel Reimbursement - $0.585/mile
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