Here are some commonly asked questions.
Click the question to see the answer.
I would like more information on a specific child or sibling group.
All of the information we have available on the children is on our website. To obtain additional information, you will need to submit a home study and then if you are considered a potential match by the children's worker, you will be contacted and receive further information. We do encourage your Adoption worker to follow up on all your submissions. Your Adoption Worker will receive notification of your submission with Social Worker information, as well as a reminder to follow up 2 weeks after you have submitted.What is a home study?
A home study is the first step toward adoption. It basically outlines who you are as a family and the type of child you are considering. Home studies contain things like background checks, living and financial information, family background, your motivation to adopt, among other types of documentation. You will also have some classes you will need to take in preparation for your home study. For our most Frequently Asked Questions, check out this page "Picking the right agency"How do I get a home study?
You can obtain a home study either privately, through an agency in your state, or through your state's Department of Human Services. There are pros and cons to each, so you will probably want to interview several agencies before you decide which type of agency is the best fit for you. You should think about what you want from an agency. For example, if you are interested in out-of-state children, you need to be certain your agency will support that since some agencies do not. Be certain to ask about the length of time to complete your home study. Private agencies are typically faster than DHS offices, however, they do have additional fees. DHS offices can often do a home study for less cost, but the time to a completed home study can be quite extensive. Finally, you will want to know what the agency will do for you to assist you in being matched.
Click here to download a nationwide list of adoption agencies.For more extensive Home study description, read below:
How do I get a Home Study (extended)
You can obtain a home study either privately, through an agency in your state, or through your states' Department of Human Services. Either is fine, and there are pros and cons to each. You will probably want to interview several agencies before you decide on one. Some things about which you might discuss include:Will this agency support out of state placement?
If you are interested in children from outside your own state, you will want to be certain your agency supports out of state placement as some agencies do not.How long does it take to complete a home study?
Home studies can take from six weeks to several months to complete. Private agencies are typically faster than DHS offices. There will, however, be additional costs incurred in the process with a private agency. The length of time for a completed home study from DHS offices can often be quite lengthy.What is the fee schedule?
While DHS offices can typically complete a home study for less cost, the time it takes to complete a home study can be quite lengthy. Private agencies are typically significantly faster with the process, however there will be additional fees associated with them. You will want to know any and all fees that may be incurred in the home study and adoption process.What will this agency do to support you in being matched?
You should know what the agency is willing to do to support you in being matched. A Family For Every Child can supplement your agency's matching services with our free Matching Assistance Program.
Part of your home study includes a home study profile. This part of the home study describes the number and types of children that interests you. It is recommended that you do not limit yourself too much in this portion of the document. If, for example, you stated you wanted a boy of seven years of age and a girl of nine interested you, you may not be considered for that girl because your home study stated you wanted a boy of seven. On the other hand, if your home study stated that you were interested and were approved for up to three children, boys or girls of ages 15 and younger, the range of children for which you could be considered is much greater.
I have my home study. Can I talk to the child's case worker for more information?
To obtain more information, you will need to submit your home study first. While each state is different in how communication occurs, Oregon is a worker to worker state. This means that we are only able to release worker information to other workers. Since every state is different, it is best for you to submit you home study and then if you are considered a potential match by their worker, you will be contacted and receive further information. We do encourage your Adoption worker to follow up on all your submissions. Your Adoption Worker will receive notification of your submission with Social Worker information, as well as a reminder to follow up 2 weeks after you have submitted.Can we be foster parents for this child?
The children on our website are currently in foster care awaiting adoption. They remain with their foster families until their forever family has been found.
Each state is slightly different in how the process works. You will need to decide if you are interested in foster parenting only, or if you are interested in adoption as well. Whether you decide to adopt or foster a child, you will need to have a home study done. Some states have foster only and adoption only home studies, while others have a foster-to-adopt home study. Typically, if you wish to only be a foster parent, you would get your home study done through your local DHS office. If you know you will want to eventually adopt, DHS or a private agency could do the home study for you.
As far as specific children, that would depend on the child's plan and from what state the child comes. All children, whether foster-to-adopt or not, go through a post-placement supervision period where the child is considered a foster child until the adoption has been finalized. This post placement is typically supervised by your adoption worker.There is a large sibling group listed. We cannot take all the children, but we would love to adopt the youngest two. Can we do that?
The sibling groups on our website are available to be adopted together only. It is also not true that large sibling groups have a hard time being placed together; we often see 75 plus home studies submitted on siblings as large as six children. We believe Siblings need to be together.I would like more information before we decide. Can we meet the child first?
To obtain additional information on a child or sibling group, you will need to submit your home study first. When you submit your home study, it merely means you are interested and would like more information. If at any point you believe your family is not a good fit, you can withdraw your family from consideration. Some states do hold "matching Events", which allow in-person meeting, but these are for home study approved families only. We hold online "Matching Events", once we have your home study, you are welcome to sign up for any of these, both to meet the children (through their workers) and/or to feature your family. Check out more information on our Matching Events.
Feature Children Event
Feature Family EventsI live in a different state. Can I still adopt this child?
All of the children on our Public website are available for out of state adoption. You will need to make certain that your agency supports the placement of out of state children, as some agencies do not. Your agency will need to provide post placement for the child.Can A Family For Every Child help me with my home study?
We can help you in one of the ways below:
Oregon Adoption Agency
While A Family For Every Child does have an adoption agency, we are licensed in Oregon and only able to assist Oregon families with the home study and adoption process. If you are an Oregon resident, we would love to help you with your home study and adoption.Matching Assistance program (MAP)
You are a home study approved family, anywhere in the country and would like help with the matching process. Click here to learn about MAP.OTHER ACTIONS:
You have information on a child we have listed and would like to share it with us (we will have to confirm with their worker), but we appreciate all help we can get, to be as current as possible, please email children@afamilyforeverychild.org with this information.
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A Family For Every Child
1675 West 11th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97402
20-4151057 (501(c)(3))
Christy Obie-Barrett
A Family For Every Child is a non-profit organization that serves families, children, and agencies nationwide. Thank you for all your support.