Services

Domestic Adoption

CCAI offers domestic adoption and home study services for families in CO, FL, GA, TX, and WY

CCAI provides home study services and is a licensed child placement domestic adoption agency in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Wyoming, and Texas. We can provide adoptive families residing in these five states with home study and post-placement services needed to adopt a child domestically. 

CCAI offers experienced and caring social workers, competitive fees, and timely completion of your Home Study.   

Home study services for domestic adoption in CO, FL, GA, TX, and WY.

FAQs

Absolutely. We can provide home study, relinquishment, and post adoption services to fully facilitate this plan. Some adoptive families have established a relationship with a pregnant woman who is considering adoption for her unborn child. In these cases, the prospective adoptive parents and birth parents have formed a relationship without the assistance of an agency; however, an agency or agencies are needed in order to complete the adoption. 

Prospective adoptive families can work with CCAI to complete the requirements for adoption in the State of Colorado and choose an out-of-state placing agency that is responsible for the placement of the child. This agency will often provide relinquishment counseling and assist the birth parents in choosing the “right family” for their child. 

CCAI’s Domestic Adoption and Home Study Services: Guiding You Toward Family

As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) child-centered organization and Hague-accredited adoption agency, CCAI proudly serves families in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Wyoming. We are licensed to provide comprehensive domestic home study services and child placement services for families residing in these five states. Whether you’re a family considering adopting domestically or in need of reliable home study and post-placement services, CCAI is here to support and guide you through each step with care, expertise, and dedication.

The Role of a Home Study in Domestic Adoption

In domestic adoption, the home study is a mandatory step that serves as an assessment and preparation process for prospective adoptive families. Conducted by our experienced and compassionate social workers, the home study is a thorough evaluation designed to ensure that your home and family are ready to welcome an adopted child. This written report captures vital information, including family history, health records, home environment, and the motivations for adopting, providing an accurate picture of your suitability as an adoptive parent.

Our home study services for adoption are tailored to meet state-specific requirements, ensuring that your home study is not only complete but also legally compliant. CCAI’s home study process generally includes:

  • Comprehensive interviews with family members.
  • Home visits to assess the environment where the child will live.
  • Preparation and educational resources to ready you for parenting an adopted child.
  • Assistance with state and federal paperwork, ensuring that your adoption journey proceeds smoothly.

Preparing You for a Lifetime of Family Connections

CCAI believes that the home study process should be a positive experience that empowers you for the journey ahead. Our team of professional social workers will guide you, providing the resources, information, and emotional support you need to prepare for the exciting journey of adoption. Our approach emphasizes both thoroughness and compassion, ensuring that we not only meet legal requirements but also foster an environment of readiness and confidence as you prepare to welcome your child.

Post-Placement Services: Ensuring a Smooth Transition

Once your domestic adoption is finalized and your child is at home, CCAI’s support doesn’t end there. Adoption regulations require adoptive families to participate in post-placement visits, which are conducted by a licensed adoption agency. These visits are an essential part of your adoption journey, as they provide the necessary follow-up to ensure the child’s well-being and help the family adapt to the changes. CCAI’s post-placement services include:

  • Regularly scheduled home visits conducted by a licensed social worker.
  • Detailed reports that document the child’s adjustment and family’s transition.
  • Ongoing support and guidance, allowing families to discuss any challenges or concerns as they bond with their child.

During these visits, our goal is to offer support, guidance, and reassurance as you and your child adjust to your new family dynamic. Our compassionate social workers are available to answer questions, provide advice, and connect you with any additional resources you may need.

Designated Adoptions: Unique Connections Between Birth and Adoptive Families

In a designated adoption, the relationship between the birth parents and adoptive family is unique and personal. This type of adoption may occur when the adoptive family and birth parents have met through mutual acquaintances, friends, or family networks, or through an adoption agency. Regardless of the circumstances, the birth parents have chosen the adoptive family to care for their child and formally recognize them as the child’s new family.

CCAI offers home study services for designated adoptions, helping families meet the legal requirements to adopt and supporting the formation of a loving, secure family environment. Our social workers provide the necessary guidance to make sure all parties involved feel supported, informed, and at ease during this sensitive process.

Kinship Adoption: Keeping Families Connected

Kinship adoption is a special type of adoption that allows a relative to legally adopt a child within their family. Whether due to unforeseen circumstances or the need for stability, kinship adoption provides a pathway for relatives to take on the permanent responsibility of raising a child. It also allows children to remain connected to their biological family members, preserving essential family bonds.

CCAI’s kinship adoption home study services are designed to facilitate this process, ensuring that the adopting relative is prepared and supported. Through home visits, interviews, and evaluations, we provide a thorough assessment of the family’s readiness to take on this role, helping to create a safe and loving environment for the child. Kinship adoption provides a level of security beyond guardianship, establishing permanency and protecting the child’s future within the family structure.

Navigating ICPC for Out-of-State Adoptions

If you reside in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Texas, or Wyoming and are adopting a child born in another state, you’ll need to comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). ICPC is a legal agreement that regulates the movement of children across state lines for adoption, ensuring the placement is conducted lawfully and ethically.

CCAI’s experienced team can assist you with the ICPC paperwork and guide you through each step, ensuring every required document is completed accurately and efficiently. Our knowledge of the ICPC process helps minimize errors, enabling you to bring your child home as swiftly as possible. With CCAI’s support, families can navigate the ICPC process with confidence, knowing that our team is dedicated to handling all necessary details with accuracy and care.

Second-Parent Adoptions: Expanding Your Family’s Legal Rights

Second-parent adoption provides a legal avenue for a second individual to adopt a child who already has one established parent.

This process allows the adopting individual to assume the full rights and responsibilities of a legal parent, strengthening the family’s stability and providing legal protections for the child. Second-parent adoption is often used in situations where one parent is a biological parent, and the other parent wishes to obtain legal parental rights.

If you’re pursuing second-parent adoption, CCAI can complete the home study required for this process. Our home study services are thorough and timely, meeting state and court requirements to ensure a smooth, compliant process. We work alongside your adoption attorney to streamline the home study process, enabling your family to receive the legal recognition it deserves.

Relinquishment Counseling: A Compassionate Approach

In certain situations, birth parents may make the difficult decision to relinquish their child for adoption. This process involves legally surrendering parental rights, allowing the child to be placed with an adoptive family. In Colorado, the relinquishment process requires court approval, and birth parents must meet with a social worker through a licensed child placement agency to discuss the legal and emotional aspects of relinquishment.

CCAI offers relinquishment counseling as part of our domestic adoption services, providing compassionate support and information to help birth parents make informed decisions. We take a sensitive approach, discussing options and guiding birth parents through this life-changing process.

Why Choose CCAI for Domestic Adoption and Home Study Services?

Choosing CCAI as your home study agency means partnering with a team that is dedicated to supporting families at every step of the adoption journey. We bring years of experience, an unwavering commitment to excellence, and a compassionate approach to every family we serve. By offering competitive fees, timely completion of home studies, and ongoing post-placement services, we help families throughout Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Wyoming create secure, loving homes for children.

Whether you are pursuing a designated, kinship, or second-parent adoption, or require assistance with ICPC or relinquishment counseling, CCAI is here to ensure a smooth and fulfilling adoption journey. We recognize that each family’s story is unique, and our mission is to provide the resources, knowledge, and empathy you need to build a loving and legally secure family. Let us help you embark on this meaningful journey—visit our website to learn more or contact us today to get started. Together, we can bring hope, connection, and joy to the lives of children and families.

Ready to take the next step?

GiGi Pleet

Adoption Program Specialist

GiGi Pleet joined CCAI in 2014 as our China Applications Specialist. She rejoined the team in 2022 after taking a few years off to spend time with her family.  GiGi and her husband have adopted three beautiful daughters from China who are the joy and purpose of their lives.  GiGi is passionate about adoption and furthering CCAI’s mission to find loving parents and permanent homes for as many children as possible and to continue reaching out to children left behind.  When she is not working, you can find her spending time with her girls in the beautiful mountains of Colorado or on an adventure to a new, faraway place.
 
Joined CCAI:  Originally 2014 – 2020, rejoined 2022
 
Bucket List Item:  To see all Seven Wonders of the World 

Contact Information

gigi@ccaifamily.org

(303) 850-9998 ext. 300

Emily Straut

The Park Administrative Assistant

Emily was adopted through CCAI in 2002!  Having always admired the ways that the organization continued to support families even after adoption, she began working at The Park last year because she wanted to be more involved in the adoption community and according to her, “It’s been a blast so far!”

Emily is majoring in environmental science at MSU Denver and hopes to help mitigate the causes and effects of climate change. In her free time, she like to practice guitar, play video games, watch movies, and spend time with her friends and family. 

Bucket List: Visit every province in China!

Contact Information

emily@theparkcommunity.org

(303) 221-6688 ext. 170

CO Team Line 4

Ivy Buchanan

The Park Adoptee Program Coordinator

Ivy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Production Design for Film and Theater with a minor in Studio Art. She had the opportunity to study abroad in London, England and Florence, Italy. After graduating, while visiting an orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal she had a moment of realization and knew she wanted to work in the adoption community. After some prior experience in post-adoption and nonprofit management, she came to The Park and is really enjoying focusing on and being involved with offering lifelong support for adoptees and the adoption community.

Ivy was adopted from Kazakhstan at 18-months old and is proud of her adoptee identity and her adoptive family. She is passionate about sharing the stories of the amazing people in the adoption community and helping adoptees celebrate their identities. Her lifelong best friend was adopted from China through CCAI. 

In her free time, she enjoys making art (she is working on a series of sculptural paintings of poached animal species), trying new food, catching up with friends, reading, and being with family. She loves to travel whenever possible.

Joined CCAI: 2023

Top Bucket List Items:

  • A trail ride through “Middle Earth” in New Zealand
  • Volunteering for a few weeks at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
  • Sleeping in a hammock on a beach

Contact Information

ivy@theparkcommunity.org

(303) 221-6688 ext. 205

CO Team Line 1

Colorado Expenses

ExpenseAmountPmt MethodPay ToDue
Application Fee$250Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIApplication submission
Child Abuse Record Search$35/FamilyCheckCO Dept of Human ServiceApplication submission
IAAME Monitoring & Oversight Fee$500Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAI (Sent to IAAME)After App Approval
First Program Fee (Includes Home Study)$5,700Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIAfter App Approval
CBI/FBI Fingerprint Search$39.50 per personMoney OrderColorado Bureau of InvestigationAfter App Approval
USCIS Filing & Fingerprinting$775 plus $85/adultCheck/Money OrderUS Dept. of Homeland SecurityUpon I-800A submission
Dossier PreparationApprox. $450-$900Check/Money OrderSecretary of State(s), Chinese Consulate(s)As preparing Dossier
Second Program Fee$5,050Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIDossier Submission
CCCWA Fee$1,270Check/ACH WithdrawalCCCWA via CCAIDossier Submission
Third Program Fee$5,500Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
CCCWA Post Adoption Translation Fee$300Check/ACH WithdrawalCCCWA via CCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Court Validation Deposit$200CheckCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Post Adoption Deposit (Refundable)$450Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Visa to enter China$140 (plus courier fee)Check/Credit CardChinese Consulate via a courier/travel agencyApproximately one month before travel to China
US Domestic & International Airfare$1,000 – $2,000 per traveler (adopted child over 2 requires full ticket)Credit CardA travel agency/airline of your choice

Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure

In China Travel & AccommodationsApprox. $4,000-$4,400 for two adultsACH WithdrawalCCAI (wired to China)Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure
Adoption Registration and Notarization$800 – $1,000CashLocal government in ChinaIn China
Orphanage Donation(Voluntary)Cash or WireOrphanageIn China
Child’s Passport$100-$150CashLocal passport agencyIn China
Food$700 – $800 per coupleCash/Credit CardHotel(s), restaurant(s)In China
Child Physical & Photo$130-$150CashClinicIn Guangzhou, China
Child U.S. Entry Visa$325Cash or CheckU.S. ConsulateIn China
Court Validation Fee$167CheckCounty CourtAfter U.S. Return
Child’s Colorado Birth Certificate$37.75CheckColorado Vital Statistics OfficeAfter U.S. Return
Lutheran Family Services$250CheckLutheran Family Services via CCAIWhen Home Study is approved by CCAI