Working With You

As a licensed social worker, in both Washington and Oregon, I have been completing adoption home studies for over 18 years.  Working as both an Adoption Specialist for the Division of Children and Family Services, and as a private Adoption Specialist, I have completed over 1,300 pre and post placement adoption home studies.  This includes domestic adoptions, step-parent and second parent adoptions, as well as International adoptions, from countries such as China, Russia, Ukraine, Guatemala, Thailand, Vietnam, Haiti, Ethiopia, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Kazakhstan, The Marshall Islands, and The Philippines, to name some.  I am experienced in completing Hague home studies, for Hague-accredited countries.

I pride myself in completing home studies that reflect a very professional report.  I can work with a short deadline, if I receive all of the necessary paperwork from you quickly.  I begin by sending you a packet, which includes all of the paperwork required to complete a home study.  Next, we will set up a meeting date and time, where I come to your home for the interview and walk-through of your home.  After our meeting, I spend several hours “perfecting” your home study by combining the written paperwork* and the information obtained in our interview.  After I have proof-read your home study several times, I prepare the correct number of copies required for your adoption, and then deliver the original copies to your attorney/agency, with a copy mailed to you.

*Please note:  the Federal Government passed a law on July 22, 2007, which requires all adoptive parents (as well as adult children in the home, age 18 and over) to undergo an FBI fingerprint check.  All of the instructions will be included in the packet I send to you.  Receiving the results of FBI prints will be sent to you within 24 hours; please print off a copy to share with me.

I am available to consult with you regarding adoption-related questions.  Please do not hesitate to e-mail me (loriwhittaker@msn.com), or call me, at 360.576.6597 or 503.998.2218.

*Forms needed to complete a home study (I will mail to you):

  1. Family Assessment form
  2. Guardianship Designation form
  3. Medical forms (to be filled out by your doctor)
  4. Financial Statement
  5. Three to four names to be your references (I mail them a letter to be filled out and returned to me)
  6. A photocopy of your birth certificate(s)
  7. A photocopy of your most recently filed income tax return
  8. A photocopy of your marriage certificate (if applicable)
  9. A photocopy of any divorce decrees (if applicable)
  10. Adoption questions form
  11. Child Abuse check(s)