Frequently Asked Questions

When can I/we expect to be scheduled to have the home study interview?

Generally we can come to meet with you at your home within two weeks of when you decide to retain the agency’s home study services.

What documents must I have ready at the time of the home study interview?

We only require that you have the agency Application and the Retainer Agreement completed. The remaining required documents can be provided to us at your earliest convenience.

What other documents must I provide to the agency?

Please click here to view the list of required documents.

How long does the home study interview take?

The home study interview will be in your home, and usually takes approximately 3 hours. Additional interviews may be required depending on the type of adoption pursued and the specific requirements of an additional agency assisting you in the adoption placement of a child.

Who must be present in the home and interviewed at the time of the home study visit?

All adults and children residing in the home must be present. Individual interviews are required to occur with family member in the home. The requirements of children being interviewed separately or as a group vary. Additional interviews will then be held with the couple and entire family unit.

Must the home be “child proofed” for safety at the time of the home study interview?

If no young children are residing in the home at the time of the interview, precautionary safety measures are not required. However, to complete the home study process, a Home and Safety checklist must be completed.

When will the final home study report be released by the agency?

The release date of the report primarily depends upon you. The required home study supporting documentation may take you four to six weeks to gather. The final written report can not be completed until all supporting documents and pre-service training has been completed. Once this information is received and the family has paid for the agency's services, the final report will be released.

What is Families United Network’s home study fee?

We are confident that we will provide you with superior home study services at a reasonable fee. Please contact the agency by e-mail or phone us toll free at 1-800- 722-0136 or 717-492-9338 to discuss our fees.

After the home study process is completed, are there other adoption related services that Families United Network can provide to me and my family?

Yes!!! Please do not hesitate to contact the agency at with any adoption related questions, even if you are currently working with another agency.

Often families may be in need of home study addendums or home study updates to continue their adoption process. Families United Network is able to assist families who may be in need of these services.

Does Families United Network provide post-placement services?

Yes. It is agency policy that a minimum of three post-placement visits be made and reports filed during the first six months the adopted child has been in the home. This service is included in the initial home study fee. Additional post placement reports may be required depending on the state or country of origin of the child. These reports can be provided for an additional fee.

After the home study process has been completed, what does Families United Network recommend that we do?

The agency’s adoption staff realizes that waiting for an adoption referral and completing the adoption process can be stressful. For this reason, we recommend reading relevant adoption materials, joining an adoption support group and perhaps most importantly participate in a class to be infant and child CPR certified.

What if I have received adoption home study services from another agency, but am in need of post placement services only?

In many situations, Families United Network is able to offer Post Placement Services to families who are unable to receive these services from the original home study agency. Families interested in this service are asked to contact the agency directly to request further information.

Do I have to receive adoption training?

Yes! Families United Network provides families with a variety of training resources at no additional cost to the family. Families must complete a minimum of ten hours of training. Once a family has committed to working with Families United Network, they will receive the pre service training DVD curricula, "Because they Waited".

Is Families United Network Hague Accredited?

Yes! Families United Network received full accreditation effective April 1, 2008. The home study report and the training curricula has been designed to meet all Hague requirements for those families adopting from a Hague Country.

Will Families United Network work with my primary placement agency?

Yes! Families United Network will contact the additional agencies a family may be working with, to inquire if an interagency agreement is needed. Families United Network will attempt to meet any special request or requirements of the primary placing agency.