[searchingforeli]

We are just starting the process of adopting from Guatemala and are hoping to complete our homestudy in a few weeks. I was wondering if anyone could PM me any suggestions of agencies that you have had good experiences with. I am looking at Welcome Home Adoptions in Guatemala.

Also, I am wondering if most people do their homestudy through Social Services or if a private agency is hired in the US. I would live to hear any positive or negative feedback.

Thanks!

[BrandyHagz]

Social Services wouldn’t be able to provide you with a International Adoption suitable homestudy. Social services homestudies are done, primarily, for adoptions of children from the state and some of them aren’t even suitable for private domestic adoption.

Your Guatemalan homestudy will have specific requirements, so it might be a good idea for you to work with someone who has completed a Guatemalan homestudy in the past. Additionally, you might want to find out what your placement agency requires in a homestudy, if you’ve already picked your agency.

Some things to consider when searching for a homestudy agency are:

Their timeline from first visit until they submit the final homestudy to USCIS for approval.

Their experience with writing international adoption homestudies or even Guatemalan homestudies specifically.

The flexibility of the caseworker who will be assigned to your case. Obviously, you don’t want to work with an agency who only does homestudies on the 3rd Friday every other month on even years and the 2nd Tuesday of months that end if BER on odd years…LOL

Remember that you are paying them for a service, they aren’t doing you a favor. Interview them just like you would any other service provider!

[BrandyHagz]

I forgot to mention,a listing of professionals in your state can be found here: Adoption Directory - Local Services Professional Agency Attorney Facilitator Adopt

[Sandy Harboe]

I would just like to welcome you aboard the wonderful forum.

[searchingforeli]

Thank you for the information. I was not aware that Social Servies could not do the homestudy for Guatemala. I am so new to the process and things are a little overwhelming at first, but we are so excited. Thanks for the link also, I am going to look into it and see if I can find anything in my area.

Thanks for the warm welcome!!

[AngelQT]

YAHOO.... A NEWBIE!!!!!

Welcome to the forum...

You will find that there is a wealth of knowledge, very supportive people, very opinioniated people (don't let them scare you, there are just big teddy bears), Funny people, and at time, sad people. But you will notice one thing very quickly... EVERYONE IS HERE FOR EVERYONE!!!! So, remember, no question is stupid... You will get various answers, and directions... So do you homework, and trust me... PICK EVERYONES BRAIN!!!

Oh... And if you run into Mandy (Ph0enix_29) be sure you put she is the BEST in your Signature Line!!! CAUSE.... SHE IS!!!

HUGS... See... you even run into Goofy ones here too!!!!