KidsFirst International Adoption, Inc. FAQ

1. Tell us a little about the founding and development of your organization?
   KidsFirst was founded 17 years ago to help assist in the placement of children in qualified, loving homes. KidsFirst Adoption Services and KidsFirst International Adoption Services were created by Inna and Steven Pecar.
2. How are your adoption home study and your organization unique?
   KidsFirst staff have extensive knowledge about the adoption process and regulations. Our average time to complete a home study is 8 weeks. We are available long term for our families to provide resources, referrals, etc. and we enjoy maintaining a relationship with families for years!
3. Why are you passionate about adoption and the home study process?
   Adoption is a unique way to bring together a child with their forever family. Being a small part of that process gives us incredible fulfillment and satisfaction. Adoption is our passion and we are grateful and proud to do this work!
4. How long is an adoption home study valid?
   According to Indiana state law, adoption home studies are valid for one year. After one year, we assist families in updating their home study reports.
5. Approximately how much time is necessary to complete an adoption home study by your organization?
   KidsFirst typically completes home studies within 8 weeks as long as the family completes all of their required paperwork in a timely manner. We also make ourselves available to expedite the process if needed.
6. Can adoptive parents use a home study completed by your organization to adopt a child born in another state?
   Families who receive domestic home studies from our agency are approved to adopt a child from anywhere in the United States.
7. If you complete my home study, do you also have to complete my post-placement visits?
   It is not required that you complete your post-placements through us if we completed your home study. However, we would be happy to work with you in the post placement phase.
8. How many post-placement visits does your organization require?
   When doing post placement reports for an international adoption, our agency abides by each country’s specific requirements. As for our domestic program, we require two post placements.
9. What is some advice you can give to potential adoptive families about the home study process? What should they be prepared for?
   We advise our families to ask questions! We understand that the home study process is new to almost every family that is beginning the process and we never expect them to understand all of the steps on their own. We provide our families with a checklist as well as directions for completing each portion of the list so that the family is on the right track.
10. What do your home study social workers look for in a home and a family when they visit potential adoptive families' homes?
    The home visit is used as a tool to discuss safety features with the family and to ensure the home meets all required guidelines. This includes having working smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher, a bedroom for the adopted child, and overall home safety.
11. Are you Hague accredited, and if not, does your international home study comply with Hague International Standards?
    We have been Hague Accredited since 2008. We have extensive knowledge about adoption and Hague regulations.
12. Do you have experience in completing the home study and working with international placement companies?
    KidsFirst partners with several out of state placement agencies to assist Indiana families with their home study. KidsFirst also has international placement programs. We refer our families to a number of international adoption specialists whenever they have shown interest in a specific child. We encourage our families to get an evaluation of the medical records so that they are fully aware of the risks involved with the referred child.
13. Are there other services and benefits you would like to share about your company?
    In addition to international and domestic home studies, we provide home studies and background checks for step parent, relative, guardianship, and second parent adoptions. KidsFirst also provides legal and re-adoption services.