Prospective adoptive parents who reside within a 60-mile radius of the agency will be required to have Adoption S.T.A.R. conduct their home study or update their home study. Adoption S.T.A.R.'s home study includes educational classes as well as private appointments with a social worker. In Western New York there are many private social workers that conduct home studies. There is concern in the field of adoption about obtaining a home study from a private individual. Adoption is a legal process and is an often emotional and challenging process as well.
Agencies are the best equipped to work with prospective adoptive parents.
Adoption agencies are State Authorized and are supervised by the State and Regional office of Children and Family Services. Private individuals are not supervised by any entity. An agency's fees and policies are reviewed by officials. M ore options. An agency home study can be used for all types of adoptions including public and private agency adoptions, international and domestic adoptions, interstate adoptions, independent adoptions, etc.