Operation Open Arms. FAQ

1. Tell us a little about the founding and development of your organization?
   Operation Open Arms was founded in 2003 when the Baileys recognized a critical need in the Commonwealth of Kentucky: providing support and safe, stable homes for children with incarcerated mothers. Kentucky has the second highest female incarceration rate in the country. Partnering with families who shared this mission, they established Operation Open Arms as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Today, our mission is to improve the lives of children with incarcerated parents and other vulnerable children by providing loving, nurturing, and stable home environments while coordinating essential support services for their parents. We now offer four programs—incarceration support, recovery support, adoption support, and the Kids Clothing Closet—serving mothers and fathers across Kentucky with full licensure and national accreditation.
2. How are your adoption home study and your organization unique?
   Operation Open Arms brings over 20 years of experience in adoption services. Our staff are master’s level professionals with personal experience as adoptive parents, birth parents, and foster parents. We collaborate with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA), the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), and other adoption agencies to provide exceptional skill, experience, and compassionate support. As a privately funded organization, we are able to reduce operating costs and offer affordable, low rates for prospective adoptive families—making adoption more accessible to those we serve.
3. Why are you passionate about adoption and the home study process?
   Our Executive Director has dedicated more than 20 years to adoption services, supporting both biological families and prospective adoptive parents. Each member of our staff brings over 10 years of professional experience. Some are adoptive mothers, some are birth mothers, and some were adopted themselves. Together, they bring deep personal insight and unwavering passion to their work. United by a commitment to reducing trauma and strengthening families, our team provides compassionate, informed, and family-centered support at every stage of the adoption journey.
4. How long is an adoption home study valid?
   An adoptive home study is valid for one year based on the Kentucky regulations.
5. Approximately how much time is necessary to complete an adoption home study by your organization?
   Operation Open Arms utilizes contractual employees, allowing us to respond quickly and adapt to the timelines of prospective adoptive families. Once all required paperwork is completed, we promptly schedule home visits at the family’s convenience. Home study reports are completed within days of the final visit, ensuring an efficient and timely process.
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?
   In compliance with state regulations, Operation Open Arms conducts two post-placement visits to ensure the continued safety, stability, and well-being of the child and family.
8. How many post-placement visits does your organization require?
   In compliance with state regulations, Operation Open Arms conducts two post-placement visits to ensure the continued safety, stability, and well-being of the child and family.
9. What is some advice you can give to potential adoptive families about the home study process? What should they be prepared for?
   The home study process can feel overwhelming at first. Families are often presented with a large amount of paperwork, which can make the process seem never-ending. To reduce this burden, we provide all required documents in a secure, confidential online folder in both PDF and Word formats. This allows families to complete paperwork at their own pace with ongoing support from our staff. There is no mailing, risk of lost documents, or in-person drop-offs—everything is managed securely through technology. The second phase focuses on building a supportive relationship with our compassionate social workers. One social worker is assigned to guide you through the process and schedule interviews. Thanks to their experience and approach, these meetings feel supportive rather than intimidating. During this phase, the social worker meets with each individual in the home, interviews any adult children living outside the home, conducts a walkthrough of the residence, and meets with prospective adoptive parents together as a couple. This process helps ensure a safe environment for a child while also identifying the strengths and resources your family brings. Our goal is not only to assess safety, but also to understand the support and tools you may need as you welcome a child into your family. We believe in preparing and empowering families as much as protecting the well-being of each child.
10. What do your home study social workers look for in a home and a family when they visit potential adoptive families' homes?
    We seek to understand each family’s knowledge of adoption and its potential impact on family members and adopted children. Through education and ongoing support, we help families prepare for the lifelong journey of adoption. Using documentation, interviews, assessments, and collaboration with other professionals, we gather comprehensive information on family composition, preparation, history, marital relationships, children’s perspectives, lifestyle, religious beliefs, experience with children, education, finances, references, background checks, community supports, physical and mental health, home environment, available resources, and more. This thorough process allows us to develop a complete picture of each family’s strengths and needs, ensuring they are well prepared to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home.
11. Are you Hague accredited, and if not, does your international home study comply with Hague International Standards?
    Operation Open Arms provides domestic adoption services and is therefore not Hague accredited, as Hague accreditation applies primarily to international adoptions. We are nationally accredited through the Council on Accreditation for foster care and adoption services.
12. Do you have experience in completing the home study and working with international placement companies?
    Operation Open Arms provides domestic adoption services.
13. Are there other services and benefits you would like to share about your company?
    Operation Open Arms offers a comprehensive range of domestic adoption services, including home studies, education and training, support groups, post-placement supervision, court reports, post-adoption services, ICPC services, independent home studies, birth parent interviews, court reporting, and more.