Home Study Services

FRC conducts Domestic and International Home Studies for families enrolled in our programs, as well as for families engaged in independent adoptions and those using other placement agencies. The process is identical for domestic and international adoptions. All international home studies conform to USCIS guidelines, and include any and all information required by the host country.

The Home Study process involves the following steps:

  1. Family Resource Center assigns you a home study worker. This adoption specialist will be your primary contact at FRC.
  2. You and the home study worker arrange a convenient day and time to meet in your home. This face-to-face interview is usually scheduled during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
  3. Your social worker will interview you about your background, family life, adoption expectations and parenting philosophy. A brief safety inspection of your home will also be conducted during this meeting. Typically this first interview lasts from four to five hours. Relevant licensing and USCIS procedures are reviewed as needed.
  4. In some instances, follow-up visits are scheduled in order to collect and finalize information.
  5. Within a month of completing your home study visit(s), your social worker will prepare a written Home Study document. This can be expedited if necessary under extenuating circumstances.
  6. For International Home Studies, an edited draft is provided to families to review for factual accuracy and to placing agencies to review for country specific information. Documents are then finalized and forwarded to the USCIS. FRC also prepares all collateral documents required by Illinois DCFS and placing agencies.

Information contained in a Home Study:

FRC releases Home Studies to third parties only with your written permission.