Christian Family Services. FAQ

1. Tell us a little about the founding and development of your organization?
   Christian Family Services was founded in 1948 and was originally called Protestant Youth Organization. It was a mentoring program for teens in Metro Detroit. It added foster care services in 1955 and was licensed by the State of Michigan in 1958 as an adoption agency.
2. How are your adoption home study and your organization unique?
   CFS is a small agency which allows us to deliver a personal experience to our home study families. We enjoy developing relationships with our families through education, support and resources to assist them on their adoption journey.
3. Why are you passionate about adoption and the home study process?
   Our staff is passionate about adoption because we have seen the positive impact adoption has had on birth families, adoptive families and adopted children for more than 60 years. Plus, most of our staff are adoptive parents ourselves and want to share this blessing with others.
4. How long is an adoption home study valid?
   A home study completed in the State of Michigan is valid for one year. Reports can be updated annually for a reduced fee, when needed.
5. Approximately how much time is necessary to complete an adoption home study by your organization?
   The timeframe has many factors, such as, motivation of family to complete documentation, caseload of adoption worker, and how quickly we receive clearances back from the State of Michigan. Usually, a home study can be completed in 60 days from the time the application is submitted. Receiving clearances from the State can take 6-8 weeks sometimes.
6. Can adoptive parents use a home study completed by your organization to adopt a child born in another state?
   Yes, a home study prepared by CFS can be used for adopting in another state.
7. If you complete my home study, do you also have to complete my post-placement visits?
   Since you are already familiar with CFS’s adoption workers, it is often most comfortable and convenient for us to complete your post-placement visits. However, you are not required to use our post-placement services.
8. How many post-placement visits does your organization require?
   In Michigan, the state requires monthly post-placement visits (and reports) until the adoption is finalized. If you are adopting from another state – or internationally – there may be different requirements for post-placement visits. CFS will provide the number and frequency of post-placement visits required by state or foreign country where you adoption is finalized.
9. What is some advice you can give to potential adoptive families about the home study process? What should they be prepared for?
   The best advice is to be open to the process. There is a lot of paperwork and interview questions where you will be required to share personal information. It can feel uncomfortable to share this information, but it is necessary to have a complete report to show that you, your home, community and finances are ready to accept an adopted child. Our agency conducts our home study in four interviews: we hold one interview as a couple, one interview with each partner and then one home visit. During the interviews you’ll be asked a variety of questions surrounding your childhood and relationship with your parents and siblings, why you want to adopt, how you will parent a child, how your family and friends feel about your adoption plans, and how your community will accept an adopted child. Your adoption worker is an advocate, not a judge. Their role is to assess your readiness to adopt and help prepare you for the adoption journey.
10. What do your home study social workers look for in a home and a family when they visit potential adoptive families' homes?
    Our adoption workers are looking for individuals who are open, honest, and ready to parent a child. They are also looking for people who are willing to be lifelong learners about adoption and trauma. They need to be aware that adoption is not easy. Prospective parents need to offer unconditional love, be nurturing, supportive, and have a strong network of friends and family to walk with them on this journey.
11. Are you Hague accredited, and if not, does your international home study comply with Hague International Standards?
    We are not currently offering international home study services.
12. Do you have experience in completing the home study and working with international placement companies?
    Although we are not preparing international home studies at this time, we do offer post-placement and post-adoption services to families adopting internationally.
13. Are there other services and benefits you would like to share about your company?
    We are also the only adoption agency in Michigan to partner with Lifetime Healing Foundation/Sit Knee-to-Knee in offering a monthly Birth Mom Support Group that provides lifetime resources, education and support to women who have relinquished their child(ren) to adoption – regardless of what adoption agency they worked with and whenever the adoption occurred.