International Adoption Overview

• Home Study Services:   The home study is a vital step in the adoption process, completed to ensure a child will be part of a healthy, safe family who will love and provide for thier needs.  Adopting a child is a life time commitment with special joys and issues.  The home study increases the family's understanding of the adoption process and parenting of an adopted child.  We prepare and support each family through the process.   

     The goal of the home study interview is to evaluate and assess if your that your family is financially, physically, and emotionally prepared and capable for an international adoption.  During this process, the home study specialist will gather information about your family background, education, employment, interpersonal relationships, parenting styles, neighborhood/community, safety of your home and motivation for adoption. 

     St. Elizabeth | Coleman is a state-licensed, not-for-profit child placing agency.  We are accredited by The Council on Accredidation, giving us the ability to conduct home studies for a licensed HAGUE  accredited child placing agency.  We complete home studies for families throughout the state of Indiana.  The international home study process usually takes an average of 3-6 months from start to finish. Contact Us to get started:  nradtke@secindy.org

• Education /Advocacy: SEC is a neutral party in your adoption journey. This allows us to educate you on the process and resources from an unbiased perspective, and help provide a REALISTIC perspective on your unique adoption plan.  Our primary goal, as your advocate, is to educate you toward the best country and agency to meet your specific family needs.

• Transracial / Transcultural Training: Continuing education is required for most countries that have international adoption programs. SEC offers a variety of educational opportunities. The Transracial/Transcultural training is a day-long event that explores the obstacles associated with raising a child of another culture/race.

• Post Adoption Services and Support: Post placement visits and reports are required for all families who complete an international adoption. The number of visits varies by country and the reports are sent back to the country as evidence of our support after the child is placed. During these visits, education and advocacy continue as your family is in full transition.

• Lifetime Commitment: In order to support all the developmental phases, we promise to provide therapy, guidance, and advocacy for the entire life of our families.