Home Study News

I am torn. I was to keep everyone up-to-date, but after my last post, I feel guilty posting anymore good news this week.

But here goes: Just spoke w/ our SW and she will have our home study finished next week (Wednesday). For those who don't know, this is a document, several pages in length that is a summary of the SW's recommendation for adoption and affirmation of our preparedness as adoptive parents. The home study goes to Immigration, and once processed, allows Immigration to issue the I171H & IR-4 Visa.

Our SW agency, Glenkirk, is awesome. We are very happy w/ the staff there, and love our SW, Jacque, who is an adult adoptee herself. However, due to some staffing changes & changes in work load, Jacque was estimating it would take about 4 weeks for her to draft our home study. Yet, it appears it will only take 2 1/2 weeks, which is fantastic. After we review it via email, it will be sent down to Springfield to be certified by IL DCFS. Once that is complete, it will go to Immigration. We are fully expecting some delays w/ the DCFS (Dept of Children & Fam Services) certification; due to budget cuts, there is only 1 person in that office certifying every home study that comes through the doors. However, we are thrilled with the home study being completed ahead of schedule, which will make any wait for DCFC cert easier to bear!