As a Hague-accredited child placement agency licensed in the states of Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Texas and Wyoming (as well as overseas), CCAI offers complete international home study services for adoptive families residing in these states and abroad, regardless of whether you use CCAI as your placing agency or you are working with another placing agency to adopt through another program.
According to the US Department of State’s guidance regarding referrals of children available to be adopted internationally, prospective adoptive families must hold a current, approved intercountry home study in order to be matched with a child (regardless of the country from which you wish to adopt). CCAI’s team of experienced and professional social workers is glad to help you accomplish this step, so that your family may view files of available adoptive children!
A home study is a written evaluation of each potential adoptive family prior to the placement of a child in the home.
The home study process is designed to:
Let CCAI help support and prepare you for the most exciting journey of your life!
Navigating the maze of paperwork required by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to bring a child into the country for the purposes of adoption can be quite overwhelming.
As part of your home study services, CCAI, a Hague accredited and state licensed adoption agency with over 24 years of expertise in this area, offers assistance in obtaining USCIS approval for you to bring your child home, thus greatly reducing the risk of mistakes being made and the process being prolonged.
Once your adoption has been finalized and your child is home, adoption regulations require the completion of regularly scheduled post placement visits and written reports by a licensed adoption agency. It is the responsibility of the agency providing your “post” services to check on the overall adjustment of your child and your entire family.
These post services include an interview with your family, as well as observations of your child. This is a wonderful time to talk with your social worker/adoption caseworker about any concerns you may have, as well as share any progress that has been made.
A compilation of the information obtained during the visit results in a report, typically accompanied by pictures. These reports will ultimately be sent to your child’s country of origin, and will often also be required by the courts here in the United States if you are doing any court proceedings.
CCAI’s goal during every post adoption/placement visit is to offer support and guidance. We recognize that this is a transitional time for everyone in the family and we want you to have the tools you need as you seek to meet the needs of your newest family member.
If you are working with another placement agency and need an international home study agency, CCAI can help! Please visit our Apply Now Page for more information.
If CCAI is your placement agency and you do not live in CO, FL, GA, TX or WY, please visit our Home Study Provider List to find a home study agency.
If CCAI is not your placement agency, your placing agency will have specific instructions for how this paperwork should look and how it is to be completed.
Once all required paperwork is in, a home study is typically completed within 8-10 weeks.
For over 32 years, CCAI, a 501(c)(3) child-centered nonprofit charity and Hague-accredited adoption agency, has been a trusted partner for families pursuing international adoption. Licensed to provide comprehensive international home study services in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Wyoming—as well as overseas—CCAI supports families at every step of their journey, whether CCAI serves as your placing agency or you’re working with another placing agency. Through our international home study services, we guide families in our branch office states and abroad through the critical initial phase of adoption, ensuring readiness and compliance with legal and international standards.
In the process of international adoption, a home study is one of the most crucial steps, legally mandated and designed to ensure that prospective adoptive parents are well-prepared for the responsibilities of adopting a child from another country. A home study for international adoption is a detailed assessment conducted by licensed social workers, aimed at evaluating each family’s suitability for adoption. In line with U.S. Department of State guidelines, every family must have a current, approved international home study to be eligible to adopt a child from abroad.
Our international home study services don’t just fulfill a requirement—they also prepare you emotionally and logistically for the journey ahead. With our guidance, you’ll be equipped to meet all requirements for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as well as state, federal, and country-specific standards.
The home study process is a structured yet personal journey that allows us to get to know you, understand your family dynamics, and help you make the necessary preparations for adoption. The primary objectives of a home study are to:
With CCAI’s extensive experience and streamlined approach, our international home study process typically takes around 8-10 weeks from the completion of your paperwork. We conduct interviews with each family member, provide resources and support to prepare you for adoption, and gather essential documents and personal insights that highlight your qualifications, readiness and commitment to international adoption.
Adopting a child internationally involves multiple levels of paperwork and approvals, including meeting requirements set by USCIS. CCAI simplifies this process by providing guidance and oversight to help families obtain USCIS approval. As a Hague-accredited agency, our expertise helps ensure that every detail is accurate and complete, significantly reducing the chances of delays. By partnering with CCAI, you benefit from our dedication to getting it right the first time, allowing you to focus on the excitement of bringing your child home.
After your international adoption is finalized and your child arrives home, CCAI’s involvement doesn’t end. Adoption regulations require families to participate in scheduled post-adoption visits with a licensed adoption agency. These post-adoption visits allow us to observe and document your family’s progress, offer additional support, and provide a comforting space to address any challenges that may arise. CCAI’s social workers conduct interviews, observe interactions, and collect valuable feedback, which culminates in a detailed report that includes photos. This report is not only a cherished memory for your family but also a formal document that may be shared with your child’s country of origin and U.S. courts as needed.
Our priority during post-adoption is to provide unwavering support and encouragement, acknowledging the transformative and transitional period that follows adoption. At CCAI, we know that your journey doesn’t end once you bring your child home; it’s only the beginning of your shared life together, and we’re here to help your family adapt, bond, and thrive.
For families who have chosen a different agency for child placement but need an international home study agency, CCAI is here to assist. We work collaboratively with other placing agencies to ensure that our international home study meets the specific requirements outlined by your placing agency. Each agency may have unique expectations regarding documentation, timelines, and formats, and our skilled team has extensive experience in adhering to these varied standards. If CCAI is not your placement agency, simply consult your placing agency for any instructions specific to their program, and we’ll take care of the rest.
If CCAI is your chosen placement agency but you live outside Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Texas, or Wyoming, we can guide you toward a trusted home study provider from our network. Our goal is to make sure that every family, regardless of where they reside, has access to a supportive and professional home study process, paving the way to a successful international adoption.
Ready to begin the adoption journey? CCAI’s Apply Now page is your first step toward transforming your dream into reality. Our application process is designed to be straightforward, with clear instructions, timelines, and guidance from our friendly staff. Once your paperwork is submitted and reviewed, our home study process can begin in earnest. We are committed to providing international home study services that not only fulfill legal requirements but also serve as an empowering foundation for adoptive families.
CCAI’s team is with you every step of the way, and our experienced social workers are readily available to address any questions or concerns you might have. Starting this journey with us means you’ll be equipped with knowledge, confidence, and a reliable partner devoted to supporting your family.
At the heart of CCAI’s mission is the belief that every child deserves a loving family. Our international home study services are tailored not only to meet the practical aspects of adoption but also to honor the emotional and relational elements that make each adoption unique. We are here to support, guide, and celebrate with you as you open your home and heart to a child in need.
By choosing CCAI for your home study for international adoption, you’re joining a community of families who believe in love, care, and belonging. Whether you’re in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wyoming, or abroad, CCAI’s team is excited to walk this path with you, helping you navigate every step with confidence, compassion, and unwavering support.
For more information on our international home study services or to start your application, please visit our Apply Now page or contact CCAI directly. Our team is eager to help you embark on the most fulfilling journey of your life—welcoming your child into your forever family.
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 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
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:
Contact Information
ivy@theparkcommunity.org
(303) 221-6688 ext. 205
| Expense | Amount | Pmt Method | Pay To | Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $250 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Application submission |
| Child Abuse Record Search | $35/Family | Check | CO Dept of Human Service | Application submission |
| IAAME Monitoring & Oversight Fee | $500 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI (Sent to IAAME) | After App Approval |
| First Program Fee (Includes Home Study) | $5,700 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | After App Approval |
| CBI/FBI Fingerprint Search | $39.50 per person | Money Order | Colorado Bureau of Investigation | After App Approval |
| USCIS Filing & Fingerprinting | $775 plus $85/adult | Check/Money Order | US Dept. of Homeland Security | Upon I-800A submission |
| Dossier Preparation | Approx. $450-$900 | Check/Money Order | Secretary of State(s), Chinese Consulate(s) | As preparing Dossier |
| Second Program Fee | $5,050 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Dossier Submission |
| CCCWA Fee | $1,270 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCCWA via CCAI | Dossier Submission |
| Third Program Fee | $5,500 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| CCCWA Post Adoption Translation Fee | $300 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCCWA via CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Court Validation Deposit | $200 | Check | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Post Adoption Deposit (Refundable) | $450 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Visa to enter China | $140 (plus courier fee) | Check/Credit Card | Chinese Consulate via a courier/travel agency | Approximately one month before travel to China |
| US Domestic & International Airfare | $1,000 – $2,000 per traveler (adopted child over 2 requires full ticket) | Credit Card | A travel agency/airline of your choice | Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure |
| In China Travel & Accommodations | Approx. $4,000-$4,400 for two adults | ACH Withdrawal | CCAI (wired to China) | Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure |
| Adoption Registration and Notarization | $800 – $1,000 | Cash | Local government in China | In China |
| Orphanage Donation | (Voluntary) | Cash or Wire | Orphanage | In China |
| Child’s Passport | $100-$150 | Cash | Local passport agency | In China |
| Food | $700 – $800 per couple | Cash/Credit Card | Hotel(s), restaurant(s) | In China |
| Child Physical & Photo | $130-$150 | Cash | Clinic | In Guangzhou, China |
| Child U.S. Entry Visa | $325 | Cash or Check | U.S. Consulate | In China |
| Court Validation Fee | $167 | Check | County Court | After U.S. Return |
| Child’s Colorado Birth Certificate | $37.75 | Check | Colorado Vital Statistics Office | After U.S. Return |
| Lutheran Family Services | $250 | Check | Lutheran Family Services via CCAI | When Home Study is approved by CCAI |
