AAC - Alpha Adoption Centers FAQ

1. Tell us a little about the founding and development of your organization?
   In 1985, a California non-profit corporation was set up for the general purpose of the prevention of cruelty to children, charitable, and/or educational purposes. This company was founded by Marilyn Lang, M.S. and named Alpha Treatment Centers. Alpha Adoption Centers (AAC) was developed and licensed in 2009 to help fill the gaps in the system.
2. How are your adoption home study and your organization unique?
   Alpha Adoption Centers uses the Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) Home Study method.
3. Why are you passionate about adoption and the home study process?
   Alpha Treatment Centers/Alpha Adoption Centers was developed to help provide safe, loving homes for children in need of temporary or permanent (forever) homes. We pride ourselves with the knowledge that we put the child’s needs first.
4. How long is an adoption home study valid?
   Home studies are valid for one year.
5. Approximately how much time is necessary to complete an adoption home study by your organization?
   Adoption home studies can be completed within two to five months, depending on the circumstances and complexities.
6. Can adoptive parents use a home study completed by your organization to adopt a child born in another state?
   Yes.
7. If you complete my home study, do you also have to complete my post-placement visits?
   No, unless you decide to have AAC work with you through the complete adoption process.
8. How many post-placement visits does your organization require?
   Only one.
9. What is some advice you can give to potential adoptive families about the home study process? What should they be prepared for?
   Don’t feel intimidated. The purpose of the home study is to ensure your home is safe for a child. It is as much about educating you to the needs of an adoptive child as it is about inspection. You should be prepared to answer some very personal questions. It’s important to be honest and truthful. We will assist you in “beefing up” any “short-comings” and accentuating your strengths. Provide our social worker with any and all documents concerning your background and that of any other people living in your home or with whom the child(ren) may come in contact (fairly regularly).
10. What do your home study social workers look for in a home and a family when they visit potential adoptive families' homes?
    They want to get a good feel for who the family is, how it is structured, who is responsible for what functions, etc.
11. Are you Hague accredited, and if not, does your international home study comply with Hague International Standards?
    AAC is not Hague accredited at this time, However, our Home Study complies with Hague International Standards.
12. Do you have experience in completing the home study and working with international placement companies?
    We have completed Hague International Home Studies, but we do not have a regular relationship with any international placement companies.
13. Are there other services and benefits you would like to share about your company?
    We provide embryo adoption services. We are a full service, licensed, non-profit California adoption agency.