1. Are you a licensed child-placing (adoption) agency?
A. Yes, we are! Love and Hope Adoptions is licensed in Pennsylvania by DHS, licensed in Tennessee by DCS, and also licensed in Florida by DCF.
2. Does your agency do home studies where we live?
A. Yes, absolutely. ****Love and Hope Adoptions covers all of Pennsylvania and all of Tennessee. You are never charged mileage. We also cover most of the state of Florida. Our social workers live and work locally to serve adoptive parents best.
3. How long is the home study process?
A. Love and Hope Adoptions begins home studies right away and completes home studies in just 4 to 5 weeks. This is your home study and therefore you can choose complete the requirements faster or slower.
4. What if other family members live in our home?
A. That does not matter nor does it affect your home study approval. ***All adults living in the household, however, will need background checks completed, even if they are not adopting.
5. What if you are renting and do not own a home?
A. You do not need to own a home be approved for adoption. You can be renting a house or an apartment.
6. If we have other children at home, can the adopted child share a bedroom with them?
A. Yes, absolutely, if they are the same gender.
7. Do you have to be married?
For a domestic adoption, you can be single, married, divorced, childless, or already have other children in your home. Yes, single individuals can adopt children. Love and Hope Adoptions serves many single adoptive parents each year!
At Love And Hope Adoptions, all those seeking to become adoptive parents or anyone wishing to place a child for adoption, are equally respected and genuinely helped.
8. How long is an adoption home study good for?
Adoption home studies are good for one year from the date of results because background checks need to be renewed annually based on state requirements for adoption.
***You will want to redo your background checks before they expire (if you have not had an adoptive placement during the first year). Do not allow them to expire so that your home study can remain “current” for any adoptive placement opportunity.
It is the adoptive parents’ responsibility to maintain their adoption home study current.
**If you move, change jobs/careers, someone moves in or out of the home, etc…you need to contact Love and Hope Adoptions to maintain your adoption home study current, valid, and updated with these changes.
9. What about pets?
It is perfectly OK to have pets as long as they are friendly and do not pose a threat to children. Your pet cannot have any history of biting or aggression and you need to show current veterinary records. Most pets make wonderful companions and enrich the lives of children.