Seattle Home Studies
Claire Greenhill, MS, LMHC | Independent Home Study Provider
Pre- or Post-placement?
Pre-placement reports
When most people think of home studies, they are thinking of pre-placement reports. A pre-placement report, just like it sounds, takes place before an adopted child is placed in your home. A positive home study or pre-placement report tells others that your home is going to be a safe, nurturing home for an adopted child. It also describes the kind of child you wish to adopt. If you have identified a specific child you plan to adopt, then non-identifying details about that child may be included in the report. For example, Mr. and Mrs. Smith wish to adopt their 4-year-old niece who lives in Florida.
Post-placement reports
Post-placement reports are written and submitted to court after a child has been in your care for a specified amount of time. In Washington State (as in most states), post-placement reports are required before an adoption can be finalized. These reports can usually be filed between 6 and 12 months after placement. Please check with your attorney or local court on when you should have this report prepared.
If you are adopting a child from another state, that state may have different post-placement requirements. It is your responsibility to communicate to your home study provider any additional post-placement report requirements you may have.
If you are adopting a child who is already in your care, such as a grandchild or stepchild, you may require a post-placement report only. Please check with your attorney or local court.
Updates
If you've had a significant change in circumstances (like a job change or move) before your adoption is complete or while you are waiting for a child, you may need to submit a home study update to the courts or agencies that are assisting you. You may also need to complete a home study update if you if your home study "expires," which means that you have waited for a year or longer without a placement.
When most people think of home studies, they are thinking of pre-placement reports. A pre-placement report, just like it sounds, takes place before an adopted child is placed in your home. A positive home study or pre-placement report tells others that your home is going to be a safe, nurturing home for an adopted child. It also describes the kind of child you wish to adopt. If you have identified a specific child you plan to adopt, then non-identifying details about that child may be included in the report. For example, Mr. and Mrs. Smith wish to adopt their 4-year-old niece who lives in Florida.
Post-placement reports
Post-placement reports are written and submitted to court after a child has been in your care for a specified amount of time. In Washington State (as in most states), post-placement reports are required before an adoption can be finalized. These reports can usually be filed between 6 and 12 months after placement. Please check with your attorney or local court on when you should have this report prepared.
If you are adopting a child from another state, that state may have different post-placement requirements. It is your responsibility to communicate to your home study provider any additional post-placement report requirements you may have.
If you are adopting a child who is already in your care, such as a grandchild or stepchild, you may require a post-placement report only. Please check with your attorney or local court.
Updates
If you've had a significant change in circumstances (like a job change or move) before your adoption is complete or while you are waiting for a child, you may need to submit a home study update to the courts or agencies that are assisting you. You may also need to complete a home study update if you if your home study "expires," which means that you have waited for a year or longer without a placement.