Kentucky Adoption Services
PROVIDING ADOPTION SERVICES TO FAMILIES IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY
America World Adoption - Kentucky is licensed and Hague-accredited to provide home study services for Kentucky adoption services. Although our primary role is to provide home study services for families adopting through America World's international programs, we are also able to prepare home studies and post-adoption reports for families using other placement agencies and who meet America World's agency requirements. Our office is located in Frankfort, KY, but we are able to provide services for families living throughout the state, including Lexington and Louisville.
Kentucky Adoption Home Study Services
The home study is a major part of the Kentucky adoption process designed to help you, America World, the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), and the foreign government assess your ability to provide a loving home for an orphan. A home study is an assessment process that provides a written report that is a comprehensive picture of your background, current family life, and how this new child will be integrated into your family. It is designed to be a non-judgmental, educational, and fruitful process. Some of the topics discussed during the home study process are motivation for adoption, expectations regarding adoption: short-term and long-term, attitude towards biological parents, type of child desired: age, sex, medical or emotional concerns, and attitudes of extended family and non-resident siblings. Your home study coordinator will also explore your values related to parenting, marriage, finances, spiritual beliefs, and child-care plans. These discussions will all take place during four face-to-face visits, one of which must be in your home. For residents in the state of Kentucky, State Police criminal record checks, child abuse registry checks, and references will be obtained. You will need to provide a copy of your birth certificate, marriage license, a financial net worth, and monthly statement, plus medical statements for all members of the family. A copy of your Kentucky driver’s license, insurance documentation, and similar items are also required. All of these items will be collected and reported in the home study.
Kentucky Post-Adoption Services
America World Adoption - Kentucky also provides post-adoption services for your Kentucky adoption. Post-adoption visits are vital to helping an adoptive family adjust and transition to a new family unit. We will visit your family in your home to assess your transition and write a post-adoption report. Each country and even some states have their own post-adoption requirements. Your social worker will ensure that all state, agency, and country requirements are met in your post-adoptive reports. At a minimum, you will be required to have at least two post-adoption visits. In addition to post-adoption visits and reports, we will be available to offer support and referrals for special services, education and/or training.
America World is licensed and Hague accredited in the State of Kentucky to provide home study services for adoption. Although our primary role is to provide home study services for families adopting through America World, we can also prepare home studies and post-adoption reports for families using other placement agencies who meet America World's agency requirements. We have Home Study Coordinators who can travel anywhere in the state to assist your family.
A Note From Our Kentucky Director of Social Services, Laura Carpenter, LCSW
My name is Laura Carpenter, and I have a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Louisville. I have been blessed in my life with twin boys and became a parent to them in 2010.
I have 20+ years of experience in the field of social work, working in the child welfare system, managing foster care and adoption programs, working with individuals with disabilities and individuals facing adversity. I’ve always had a heart for children who are in need of loving families. Since God blessed me with the opportunity to be the parent of two wonderful little boys, it is my desire to help children and families come together and experience that same blessing. I’m blessed to be a part of America World and to be a part of providing that gift to all. I look forward to helping others on that journey.
How to Begin the Adoption Process in Kentucky
If you are adopting through America World, you may begin by clicking Learn About Adoption for ways to get started. Once your application has been approved and we have received your program agreements, Laura Carpenter will contact you to initiate the home study. If you are not using America World as your placing agency but would like to use our local social services in Kentucky, you may complete the application online and choose "Social Services Only" under Application Type. The application fee for a social service only case is reduced to $295. Once the application is processed, Laura Carpenter will contact you and will work directly with you and your placement agency to ensure all requirements are met in your home study and post-adoption reports. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Carpenter.
Contact Info
America World - Kentucky
Louisville, KY 40503
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET
Phone: 800-429-3369 ext 176
Fax: 888-466-8922
kentucky@awaa.org