Boys and Girls Aid FAQ

1. Tell us a little about the founding and development of your organization?
   Boys & Girls Aid has a long history in Oregon as a non-profit child welfare agency. The agency was started in 1885 by a group of city leaders in Portland who responded to the crisis of children who were on the streets without family or a home, needing connections and permanency. To this day our core purpose remains, "Building connections for a lifetime to improve the well-being of children".
2. How are your adoption home study and your organization unique?
   We are a child welfare agency, first and foremost. Our home studies are designed to assess the strengths and resilience of families desiring to be an adoptive resource for children with a diverse range of background and needs. Our home studies meet the Oregon State Department of Human Services and Washington State Department of Social and Health Services standards.
3. Why are you passionate about adoption and the home study process?
   Our belief is that the home study serves as the foundation in preparation for adoption and parenting. We want our families to have the tools to be successful in building attachment and healthy relationships. We support families in education, offering relevant training and resources to expand their knowledge and awareness of the complexities of adoption.
4. How long is an adoption home study valid?
   2 years
5. Approximately how much time is necessary to complete an adoption home study by your organization?
   2-3 months (largely dependent on the family's follow through)
6. Can adoptive parents use a home study completed by your organization to adopt a child born in another state?
   Yes, typically
7. If you complete my home study, do you also have to complete my post-placement visits?
   No. This is a separate contract and that fee that is dependent on the requirements of the state where the adoption is finalizing.
8. How many post-placement visits does your organization require?
   For adoptions where we are the placing agency, in Oregon and Washington, we require 1 post placement visit within the first 30 days. We can also provide post placement visits for adoptions finalizing in other states. In those cases, we follow the court requirements of the placing state.
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 is one of self-reflection and education. An individual should be prepared to answer questions about their history, relationships, lifestyle, values, community and views on parenting and adoption. With respect to challenges in their life, we assess how they have moved through these challenges, what they have learned and how they have grown. Because this process is so personal, we are sensitive about providing the respect and confidentiality needed to create safety and trust.
10. What do your home study social workers look for in a home and a family when they visit potential adoptive families' homes?
    We follow the Oregon and Washington safety checklists approved by the Department of Human Services and Washington State Department of Social and Health Services for certified foster and adoptive families. We are ultimately looking for a safe and secure living environment where children's needs, including special needs, can be met.
11. Are you Hague accredited, and if not, does your international home study comply with Hague International Standards?
    We do not do international adoptions.
12. Do you have experience in completing the home study and working with international placement companies?
    N/A
13. Are there other services and benefits you would like to share about your company?
    Our agency is a non-profit/501C3 child welfare organization. Our agency programs include options pregnancy counseling, infant and special needs adoption services, residential and foster care services and shelter, housing and transitional programs for older youth and young adults. Learn more on our website: www.boysandgirlsaid.org