Pre Service Training Completion: Each parent is requested to complete ten hours of pre service training prior to the completion of the home study. Families United Network, provides each family with the complete ten hour curricula,"Because they Waited" DVD series. Families can request a waiver to this requirement if documentation can be provided that the training was received from another reference source or agency. Training must be completed prior to the completion and release of the home study. Additional training may be required if the family is adopting internationally. Training topics include:
Separation and Loss
Attachment Issues
Cultural Differences
Child Development
The home study process
Specialized training as needed
"Because they Waited" DVD series meets all the Hague Requirements
Agency Forms to be completed by the Family:
Application
Retainer Agreement
Disclosure Statement
Physicians statement for each adult in the home
Health history for each household member
Certification of Self Worth
Consent to Use Protected Health Information
Grievance and Complaint Procedure
Release of Information
Guardianship statement
Review of FUN policies
County Reference Acknowledgment form
Training Education Statement
Home and Safety Checklist-completed by staff
Items to be collected by the Family:
Child Line Clearance for each member of the home age 14 and older
Have finger prints taken at a Cogent Site after agency registration
Three to five Character References (# depends on state of finalization)
Personal Letter of intent from the family (Why do you want to adopt?)
Verification letter of employment from your employer
Proof of medical insurance coverage for the adoptive child
Copies of tax returns for past three years
Copy of Social Security Income History Statement
Training Verification
Copy of Birth Certificates
Copy of Marriage Certificate and Divorce Decrees
Copy of Drivers Licenses
Copy of Car Registrations
Date of Car Inspections (Month/Year)
Copy of Car Insurances
Copy of Home/Renters Insurance
Life Insurance Documentation
Proof of Pet Vaccinations
Family Photo
Family Photo of Home
Additional items may be required depending on the type of adoption
References Steps Completed by Families United Network:
State Police Clearances for each household member age 14 and older
Assistance with additional state and child line clearances if the family members have lived outside the state of PA in the past ten years, or since they were 18, if adopting from a Hague country
FBI Clearance Registration
Local police clearances
County and Children and Youth clearances
Motor Vehicle Clearances
Prothonotary Clearances
References from any previous foster/adoptive agencies
Final Steps to Prepare for Approval:
Review the Family Approval Document
Prepare home to meet all safety and residential requirements
