Starting the home study process is a simple as calling or emailing NC Homestudies, LLC. (NCHS), for an application and home study information packet. You may call us at (704) 258-4029 or email us at info@nchomestudy.com
Our application and fee schedule is also available below.
Our application and fee schedule is also available below.
Once we have your application, our agency will open your homestudy file. We will send you the formal home study packet via email unless instructed otherwise.
The home study packet contains the information and forms needed for the home study, including background clearances, medical, and reference forms. You will complete the home study packet by gathering your documents for the home study and completing your pre-adoption education.
Our agency staff are available throughout the process to assist you. We are are happy to answer any questions that you may have.
The home study packet contains the information and forms needed for the home study, including background clearances, medical, and reference forms. You will complete the home study packet by gathering your documents for the home study and completing your pre-adoption education.
Our agency staff are available throughout the process to assist you. We are are happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Once you have gathered the necessary documents, sent them to the agency, and completed the pre-adoption education, you will be contacted by the home study social worker, who will schedule an appointment to complete your home study interview.
NCHS staff will be working closely with your placement agency or attorney, to ensure that the requirements for the state or country where the adoption will take place are met, as well as any requirements for training.
NCHS staff will be working closely with your placement agency or attorney, to ensure that the requirements for the state or country where the adoption will take place are met, as well as any requirements for training.
Once the interview has been completed, your social worker will write the home study report. You and your placement agency will be sent a draft to review prior to finalization. After the home study is finalized, you will be sent (4) four notarized original home studies and a notarized copies of the agency’s license. If your agency or attorney requires any additional studies or documents, inform us and we will prepare them for you.
HAGUE AND UNIVERSAL ACCREDITATION ACT (UAA) HOME STUDIES For International Adoption
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NC Homestudies, LLC can perform home studies for international adoption for those adopting from Hague convention countries and for families adopting under the Universal Accreditation Act (UAA).
In this role, our agency would be acting as a supervised or exempt provider, for your primary provider (placement agency). Contact your primary provider (adoption agency) if you wish our agency to complete your homestudy. They will then send us an exempt or supervised provider agreement. The staff of NC Homestudies, LLC is very knowledgeable in completing home studies under the Hague and UAA regulations. Most home study agencies who are Hague or UAA accredited charge higher fees to conduct these studies. Our agency has very reasonable and competitive fees. Our staff has a wealth of experience with completing international homestudies. We are dedicated to giving our families the attention they need to complete their home studies in a timely manner. It will be our pleasure to complete your International Homestudy! |
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DOMESTIC ADOPTION HOME STUDIES
Whether you are adopting through private adoption or through the public welfare system, NC Homestudies, LLC can perform your domestic home study.
Our staff has many years of experience performing home studies which are accepted by courts and private and public agencies across the United States.
NC Homestudies, LLC provides its families with excellent service while remaining competitively priced. We work hard to keep our fees low yet at the same time offer quality services.
Our staff has many years of experience performing home studies which are accepted by courts and private and public agencies across the United States.
NC Homestudies, LLC provides its families with excellent service while remaining competitively priced. We work hard to keep our fees low yet at the same time offer quality services.
We look forward to completing your homestudy and being a part of your adoption journey!
FRequently Asked Questions
What is a home study?
A home study is an assessment regarding the suitability of prospective adoptive parent(s) to adopt. The process includes interviews with the prospective adoptive parent(s) and obtaining documentation which verifies the prospective adoptive parent(s) background. The homestudy process also includes pre-adoption education, which will help to educate you about some of the unique issues and challenges that can occur in parenting an adopted child. The home study interview is a time to discuss with your social worker any issues or concerns you may have about adoption. It is also the time for your social worker to get to know you and your family, so that he/she can prepare the home study report. The home study process time frame depends on how quickly the family provides the needed information, competes the required education, and how quickly clearances are returned by the various registries.
What documents will I need to provide to NC Homestudies, LLC?
Any information that will support your suitability to be a parent. This will include information such as criminal background, child abuse clearances, medical report, references, financial, home evaluation, employment stability, etc.
What information will I need to give about my finances?
You are asked to verify your income by providing a copy of your income tax form (1040 or 1040 EZ) for the last two years. You are also asked to provide a Letter of Verification of Employment or Business Ownership. During the home study process, you will be asked about your savings, insurance policies, assets and other investments and debts, including your monthly mortgage or rent payment, car and charge account payments, etc. This helps determine your general financial stability. You do not have to be wealthy to adopt, but need to demonstrate that you can support and raise the child.
Who should I ask to provide a letter of reference on my behalf?
Your references must be non relatives. They can be close personal friends, an employer, a former teacher, a co-worker, a neighbor, or your pastor. Your references will provide their observation of your experience with children, the stability of your marriage if applicable, and your motivation to adopt. You should pick as references people who know you the best. If possible, they should be individuals who have known you for several years.
How do I apply for a home study report?
Download the application here. Once we have received the application and application fee, a home study packet will be sent to you via email unless you request otherwise. You must complete the packet and send it to NCHS with your documents, the required home study fee and the signed home study agreement. Once the packet is received, your social worker will contact you so that the home study interview may begin. The social worker will advise you who needs to be present at the interview. Generally, all members living in the home must be present and interviewed as part of the study. Even children and non family members must be present if they reside there.
What will the social worker be looking for during the home visit?
The social worker is not visiting your home to conduct a white glove inspection. The social worker is simply looking to see if the child will be entering into a safe and healthy environment and whether you have thought ahead as to how you are going to accommodate the new family member. The social worker will want to see the child's bedroom and all the other areas of the house or apartment, including the basement or back yard.
It is not necessary to clean the whole home from top to bottom. A certain level of cleanliness is necessary, but "lived-in" family clutter is expected. Most social workers would worry that people living in a "picture perfect" home would have a difficult time adjusting to the clutter that a child brings to a household.
It is not necessary to clean the whole home from top to bottom. A certain level of cleanliness is necessary, but "lived-in" family clutter is expected. Most social workers would worry that people living in a "picture perfect" home would have a difficult time adjusting to the clutter that a child brings to a household.
What questions will my home study worker ask?
The home study interview is the presentation of you, your life, your family and their life. It includes information about your childhood, your marriage or single-hood, your extended family, your values, religion, education, finances, etc. It also discusses your decision to adopt and how you will integrate an adopted child into your family. In the case of a different race and/or culture, the home study will discuss your knowledge of the culture and your commitment regarding how you intend to help the child keep that cultural connection. The home study will discuss your discipline practices, communication skills, etc. You will be expected to receive training regarding adoption issues such as, health and developmental issues in adoption, discussing adoption with your child, grief in adoption, as well as culture.
What if I have a criminal record or something that I think would prevent me from qualifying as an adoptive parent? Should I keep this information from the social worker?
Definitely not! It would not be wise to be deceptive or dishonest. Report even minor incidences. The documents collected in the home study process will expose an inconsistency in what you have presented about your family. This may harm your chances of obtaining an approved home study or in the case of international adoption, USCIS approval. We will review with your criminal record and determine with you how best to address.
What if I or any member of my family that lives with me has a medical problem or a history of substance abuse or emotional problems?
It is important that you discuss this with your social worker. Your social worker can help you determine what impact this may have on an adoption. You can also call the NCHS office and speak to the Executive Director who has handled these types of issues.
Will I obtain a copy of my home study report when it is completed?
Yes. You will obtain four (4) notarized originals for your use and to submit to USCIS.