NC Homestudies, LLC FAQ

1. Tell us a little about the founding and development of your organization?
   Although North Carolina Homestudies, LLC was founded i n 2002, the agency is now owned and operated by Barbara L. Lorenzo, MSW, a clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience in the adoption field.
2. How are your adoption home study and your organization unique?
   When conducting our home studies, we want to be as helpful as possible to the potential adoptive family, as we want the placement to be a success. Our Executive Director has a wealth of experience as both a clinician and an adoptive parent. She has a strong background in working with families and children.
3. Why are you passionate about adoption and the home study process?
   As the Executive Director, I am very passionate about adoption. I have been a part of many adoptions in different ways and it is always a joy to see children find their forever families. As an adoptive parent to two boys adopted from Russia, I understand the complexity of adoption and raising adopted children firsthand.
4. How long is an adoption home study valid?
   NC Homestudies are valid for 18 months; however, the state or country you are adopting from may require the study to be updated sooner. It is important that you check with your placement agency, attorney or facilitator.
5. Approximately how much time is necessary to complete an adoption home study by your organization?
   Typically 2-3 months, but we can move as fast as the family can provide us the paperwork. NC requires that home studies be completed within 90 days.
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?
   Typically the placement agency/country wants the home study agency to complete the post-placement visits, unless the family is moving. If the family is moving to another state, we can assist them in locating an agency in their state.
8. How many post-placement visits does your organization require?
   NC requires two, but the sending state (if domestic) or the sending country (if international) may require more.
9. What is some advice you can give to potential adoptive families about the home study process? What should they be prepared for?
   Be yourselves! Be honest with the worker regarding the characteristics of the child you wish to adopt, your background, and any concerns you may have. We are there to assist, help you make the best decisions, and prepare for your children. Please ask as many questions as you need to. No question is silly. We encourage them all. I f you have question or concern that your worker can't answer, we encourage you to contact the agency director or Executive Director.
10. What do your home study social workers look for in a home and a family when they visit potential adoptive families' homes?
    That the home is safe, there is room for the adopted children, that all members of the family living in the home, agree with the adoption plan, that the child has room for privacy, that there is reasonable cleanliness and order, and that there is room for the child to play/recreate. We look to make sure that the family is committed to their adoption plan, is sensitive to the needs of adoptive children and that they have a stable marriage, finances and family life.
11. Are you Hague accredited, and if not, does your international home study comply with Hague International Standards?
    We are not accredited, but under the Hague Convention and the Universal Accreditation Act we can complete home studies as an Exempt or Supervised Provider. We have plenty of experience with Hague and UAA standards.
12. Do you have experience in completing the home study and working with international placement companies?
    Yes. We have been working with agencies providing international adoptions for many years. We provide pre- and post-adoption support, resource linkage and education. We are here to help the family figure out the needs of their children and to help them locate the local resources they need.
13. Are there other services and benefits you would like to share about your company?
    All of our workers are mature, compassionate, committed to adoption and receive ongoing training and support so that they are ready to help and support our families. We offer services to prospective adoptive parent(s) living throughout the state of North Carolina. We have social workers in Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville, Wilmington, and Ft. Bragg, just to name a few. NC. Homestudies, LLC also offers its families the following services: re-adoption, full adoption for families returning from with a guardianship for their children and were the adoption needs to be completed domestically in NC, and step parent adoption.