Family Connections Christian Adoptions FAQ

1. Tell us a little about the founding and development of your organization?
   FCCA was founded in 1983 as a very small domestic and international adoption agency. Since then, it has grown into a statewide agency with six offices, and over 5000 completed adoptions.
2. How are your adoption home study and your organization unique?
   FCCA strives to be “warmly professional.” This means that our work and ethics are top-notch, but never at the expense of treating people kindly and making them feel welcomed and supported. Our greatest source of referrals is happy adoptive families!
3. Why are you passionate about adoption and the home study process?
   We have a huge heart for the waiting children of the world, the ones who are waiting for their forever families – and we care just as much about the families who welcome them home. This passion for adoption as a means of healing many hurts is what drives us to work tirelessly to educate and prepare families through the home study process, and beyond.
4. How long is an adoption home study valid?
   California home studies are generally valid for a maximum of two years, and potentially less than that if there is a change in family composition, address, or other significant factors.
5. Approximately how much time is necessary to complete an adoption home study by your organization?
   This varies greatly from family to family. Once a family has submitted all the paperwork, and assuming the references and background clearances come through without a hitch, the home study report may be completed within 4-6 weeks. We will happily expedite the home study to be completed more quickly if a placement is imminent.
6. Can adoptive parents use a home study completed by your organization to adopt a child born in another state?
   Yes, absolutely!
7. If you complete my home study, do you also have to complete my post-placement visits?
   Usually, yes. When case duties are split between two agencies, California regulations require those agencies to enter into a written agreement with one another. As long as the other agency will cooperate with that requirement, we are happy to do whatever is best for the family.
8. How many post-placement visits does your organization require?
   An adoption that will be finalized in California requires four post-placement visits over a period of six months. If the adoption will be finalized in another state, we will work with the other agency or attorney to help the family comply with that state’s requirements.
9. What is some advice you can give to potential adoptive families about the home study process? What should they be prepared for?
   Be yourself! Don’t try to impress us with what you believe we want to hear or see. We are very accepting and don’t expect you to fit into a specific mold. To make the best match for your family, we need to know the real you. Also, staying busy with adoption education, parent training, and activities that bring you joy will help limit or eliminate stress over all the paperwork (there is a lot of it), or discouragement if it takes longer than you hoped to get matched.
10. What do your home study social workers look for in a home and a family when they visit potential adoptive families' homes?
    Here’s what we don’t do: we don’t inspect for crumbs on the floor, dust on the light bulbs, or skeletons in the closet. We do look for basic cleanliness and safety; support and affection being given to everyone in the home; openness to learning; and flexibility to adapt as things change – because they will change. That is a given any time that someone new comes into an existing home and family.
11. Are you Hague accredited, and if not, does your international home study comply with Hague International Standards?
    Yes, we are Hague accredited.
12. Do you have experience in completing the home study and working with international placement companies?
    FCCA has always provided international adoption services since our inception. In fact, for many years, almost 50% of our placements were international! We help families complete their home study, submit immigration paperwork, and find a referral agency (if they don’t already have one). When they come home with their child, we support them by providing resources, connections with other adoptive families, and if needed, specialized parenting techniques based on the Trust-Based Relational Intervention™ program.
13. Are there other services and benefits you would like to share about your company?
    People are often surprised at how warm and friendly we are – and that our domestic adoption costs are often half of what they expected to pay. We have a wide network of professional partners across the country, and we understand how to navigate even the most complex adoption situations. We welcome calls and emails so we can provide more information to help you make the best adoption plan for your family.